Chapter Eighty-Three: Not Knowing How to Interact with Others

Xiao Yan continued, “No one will find out, miss. Please rest assured.” Shen Nanyuan frowned, a strange feeling stirring in her heart. Was it truly that no one was helping him? Or was it, as he claimed, that Xiao Yan’s martial skills had reached such an extraordinary level? She couldn’t help but glance at him with suspicion.

Yet, if someone was already assisting him, he would not still be suffering in the Duke of Zhenguo’s household; he should have returned to the palace long ago. A thousand doubts flooded her mind. Pressing her lips together, she maintained a calm expression as she asked, “Dawn is near. Tomorrow, if someone in the palace sees a stranger, they will surely question you. What will you do?”

“I only came to see you, miss. Now that I see you are well, I am reassured. Once you fall asleep, I will take my leave,” Xiao Yan replied softly. “Please try to sleep, miss.” His voice had grown gentler, low and slow, with an almost coaxing note that made Shen Nanyuan’s heart skip unexpectedly. She could not explain the feeling. With a barely concealed murmur, she turned over and slowly closed her eyes.

Even with her back to him, she could sense a gaze lingering on her—focused and earnest.

When she returned to Shaohua Courtyard, she would need to pay more attention to Xiao Yan. She had always believed it was not yet his time, as in the original story, to return to the palace. But now, so many events had already changed. Who was to say he hadn’t already discovered his true identity? Yet what truly perplexed her was that if he knew he was the third prince, why would he remain aggrieved in the Zhenguo Duke’s residence, instead of returning to the palace sooner?

So, she was inclined to think that perhaps, after all, it was only his martial prowess that brought him into the palace tonight, and he remained unaware of his own lineage.

Her mind was a tangled mess, and drowsiness followed swiftly. Lost in these wild thoughts, Shen Nanyuan drifted quietly into sleep.

Only when he sensed her breathing lengthen into a steady rhythm did Xiao Yan move, walking softly to sit by her bedside. He had acted too hastily tonight, entering the palace without a thought for the consequences, so it was only natural for Shen Nanyuan to be suspicious. From now on, he would need to be more cautious.

For the time being, he had no intention of letting Shen Nanyuan learn the truth of his identity.

She already harbored resistance toward the second prince, and even more so toward entering the palace. If she were to find out, she might well reject him, too.

The person before him stirred suddenly, turning over once more, revealing a peaceful, delicate face. She slept deeply, eyes tightly shut, long lashes casting a soft shadow across her cheeks. Xiao Yan’s hand rose involuntarily, but stopped abruptly just before her cheek, his expression shadowed with uncertainty.

Though he had the support of the Prime Minister and had trained a loyal band of guards, his influence was not yet deep enough. In the face of such dangers to her, he was still powerless. Only by returning to the palace and reclaiming his identity could he steadily build his own power.

Recently, the Prime Minister had reported repeated victories. Shen Yi might return even sooner than expected. If so, Xiao Yan could safely return to the palace as well.

His gaze grew darker, and at last his fingertips brushed her lips—soft and rosy, deepening the look in his eyes.

When Shen Nanyuan woke the next day, there was only a single maidservant standing in the hall. Daylight already shone brightly outside. The maid busied herself dressing and washing her, then brought in breakfast.

The palace fare was indeed exquisite and varied. Sampling a little of each dish soon left her full. As she finished her meal, Shen Sinian entered. After some rest, his complexion looked much improved from the night before.

He had not yet eaten, but was eager to see Shen Nanyuan out of the palace. His lips parted lightly: “Let us leave the palace.”

After escorting Shen Nanyuan home, he would need to return; last night, His Majesty had assigned him the task of investigating the affair.

They walked side by side, but outside the hall they encountered the second prince approaching. He seemed different from his usual self—before, there had always been an air of insincerity about him, but today he appeared unexpectedly genuine.

“Allow me to escort Captain Shen and the county princess from the palace,” he said as he walked. “The county princess was invited by my mother consort. If not for that, she would never have fallen into the water. I am deeply remorseful and wonder if there is anything I can do for the county princess.”

“Your Highness need not blame yourself,” Shen Sinian replied with polite formality. “No one could have foreseen such an incident upon entering the palace.” He still harbored suspicions about the second prince; glancing at Gu Shengyu out of the corner of his eye, he continued coolly, “His Majesty has already ordered me to investigate. I will certainly find out who is responsible and see justice done for Yuanyuan.”

“And clear my own name as well.” Gu Shengyu pressed his brow, fatigued. “I hope Captain Shen will uncover the truth soon, so I might be freed from this vexation.” He turned his gaze to Shen Nanyuan. “Thus, the county princess will no longer suspect me.”

Shen Nanyuan’s heart gave a faint start, and she immediately lowered her head. “I would not dare, Your Highness.”

Gu Shengyu seemed to have no intention of explaining further. He paused before the palace gates and continued in a gentle tone, “In the future, I will not invite the county princess to the palace again. Should you ever wish to come, just let me know. I have thought over yesterday’s events many times and still feel uneasy, convinced that all you suffered was because of me.”

Shen Nanyuan was momentarily stunned by his words and could not help but glance up, meeting his eyes.

He would no longer force her into the palace? He had said it himself! Should she ever wish to come and just let him know… As if that would ever happen! She could not imagine such a thing.

He smiled faintly and went on: “In the past, I was too forceful, thinking that by doing so I might see you more often. I never imagined it would bring you into mortal danger. I have been domineering since childhood and do not know how to get along with others. If I have ever made things difficult for you, please forgive me.”

Unbelievable. The second prince could actually say such things.

No one could guess what he was really thinking. Shen Nanyuan maintained a composed expression. “Your Highness is too kind.”

Caution was the better part of wisdom. She did not believe a domineering man could so suddenly change his nature. What schemes might he be plotting now?

A carriage waited outside the palace gates. After bidding farewell to the second prince, Shen Nanyuan and Shen Sinian boarded and finally left the palace behind. Shen Nanyuan felt she could breathe freely at last.

As her mind relaxed, the events of the previous day surged back into her thoughts. The face of the cold-eyed maid who had stood on the bridge, watching her struggle in the water, suddenly became clear.

She sat up abruptly. “Brother! I remember what that maid looked like!”