Chapter Eighty-Four: Lord Jun Outside the Residence

Upon returning to the Duke of Zhenguo’s manor, Shen Sinian summoned someone and, following Shen Nanyuan’s description, had a rough sketch made of the palace maid’s appearance. The result closely resembled her memory. Without delay, Shen Sinian took the portrait and headed straight to the palace. He had barely left when the Old Madam and Lady Shen arrived together at the Shaohua Courtyard.

The events of last night had left the entire household uneasy; Lady Shen, in particular, had spent a sleepless night worrying. Only upon seeing her daughter safe and unharmed did her anxiety begin to ease. The Old Madam, distressed at the misfortunes that had repeatedly befallen her granddaughter, could not help but feel anger welling in her heart.

“If the palace sends for you again, Yuan’er, you mustn’t go. Leave any troubles for me to bear. Your wounds have only just healed, and now you’ve fallen into the water again—it breaks my heart.”

Shen Nanyuan clung to her grandmother’s side, feigning petulance. “I’m perfectly fine.”

She smiled and went on, “Besides, there are imperial physicians in the palace whose skills far surpass those of doctors outside. Grandmother need not worry.”

The Old Madam was advanced in years, her nerves ill-suited to further agitation. After much gentle coaxing, Nanyuan finally managed to calm her grandmother somewhat.

After the Old Madam was escorted away, Lady Shen took Nanyuan’s hand, her expression grave. “Yuan’er, tell me honestly—was someone in the palace trying to harm you?”

How else could she have fallen into the water without cause? It must have been someone’s doing.

Shen Nanyuan had intended to wait until Shen Sinian finished his investigation before telling her mother, to spare her undue worry and anger. But now, she could only nod in affirmation, hastily adding, “But my brother will find out the truth. After bringing me home, he went straight to the palace, and His Majesty has entrusted him with the investigation.”

Lady Shen squeezed her hand and sighed softly. “The Second Prince now seeks alliance with our house; many eyes are upon him. He is sovereign, we are subjects; there is little we can do. Yet I do not wish you to enter the palace.”

She understood well enough the motives behind the Second Prince’s actions. Yet an emperor’s command could not be defied, and her daughter, despite her aversion, had to observe the formalities. With Shen Yi still away at the front, last night’s incident only deepened her reluctance to let her daughter set foot in the palace.

With aching heart, she stroked Nanyuan’s head and continued in a low voice, “When your father returns, we will surely find a way to spare you from further harm. I have no wish but for your safety. The palace is a web of open and hidden strife; I do not want you entangled in it.”

A glimmer flickered in Shen Nanyuan’s eyes as she nodded firmly. This matter should come to pass.

She had once thought the hardest part of her transmigration would be to lessen Xiao Yan’s enmity toward the Duke of Zhenguo’s household, but it turned out the greatest challenge was to avoid entering the palace at all.

If the Duke’s household could escape disaster and alter the ending written in the book, what would follow thereafter—how would their fate, and her own role as Shen Nanyuan, unfold? She no longer knew. Her understanding of the Duke’s family would become a blank page.

She paused, shaking her head slightly. For now, the most important thing was to survive; only after surviving would she have the right to contemplate anything else.

After Lady Shen left, Qingrui brought in a fresh pot of tea. She approached, sighing, “Miss, from now on we should leave the manor as little as possible. It’s safer to stay inside. In a few days, we can visit Puyue Temple to offer incense and pray for your safety.”

That was precisely Nanyuan’s intention. Until Shen Yi returned, she would not leave the estate again.

She lifted her teacup, and as if suddenly recalling something, frowned and glanced outside before asking, “Where is Xiao Yan?”

With Shen Sinian absent today, he could not be in Shen Sinian’s quarters.

Just as she spoke, footsteps sounded, and Xiao Yan appeared in her line of sight, his gaze cool as he bowed. “Miss, did you need something from me?”

“No,” Nanyuan replied, observing him carefully, “I just found it odd not to see you around.”

She sipped her tea lightly. “Where were you just now?”

“Reporting to Miss,” Xiao Yan said, “I was practicing martial arts in the back courtyard. With the young master away, I had to train on my own.”

“I see.” Nanyuan asked with curiosity, “Haven’t you been learning from my brother for a long time? Your skills must already be impressive—why keep training?”

“The young master’s martial prowess is unmatched. I am still far from his level, so naturally I must continue to learn.”

Nanyuan nodded slightly. When will he ever surpass her brother and truly finish his training? He certainly applied himself diligently.

Speaking of which, he was supposed to return to the palace at the end of this year. Over these months, how had things developed between him and Meng Chuyue?

In the original story, the protagonists often met in secret, especially Meng Chuyue, who frequently climbed over the manor walls. Now that Xiao Yan’s martial arts were so advanced, evading the guards for their meetings must be all the easier.

But Nanyuan had no time to concern herself with Xiao Yan and Meng Chuyue’s relationship; she was already overwhelmed by her own affairs. The protagonists were protected by their narrative halo and needed no help from her. Once Xiao Yan returned to the palace at year’s end, their relationship would finally be legitimized. The Prime Minister’s household would also be freed from its present gloom, its power and reputation restored.

In two years, Xiao Yan would formally ascend the throne, naming Meng Chuyue as empress. The Prime Minister’s power would only grow.

That day was not far off.

Since Nanyuan’s return, Xiao Yan had remained by her side, as usual, showing no sign of change. After lunch, a guard suddenly entered Shaohua Courtyard.

“My lady.”

Nanyuan was basking in the sun in the courtyard. At his words, she lifted her eyes. “What is it?”

“Master Jun is outside the manor seeking an audience with you.”

He looked troubled. “Master Jun has been waiting outside for nearly half an hour. Knowing you did not wish to see him, I dared not report it before. But he seems determined not to leave without seeing you, so I took the liberty of informing you.”

Nanyuan’s brows knitted at once.

Xiao Yan’s expression darkened. “Miss, let him wait outside.”

Nanyuan had half a mind to do just that, but after a moment’s thought, she said to Qingrui, “Go out and tell him to leave quickly.”

Qingrui bowed her head. “Yes, Miss.”

She and the guard left together for the gate. Nanyuan clicked her tongue in annoyance.

Having just dealt with the Second Prince, now she had to see Jun Ci as well.

One after another, they were becoming a nuisance.

Couldn’t they just let her have a moment’s peace?

Xiao Yan pressed his lips together, his face brooding, his eyes lowered with a hint of coldness.

“…,” Nanyuan thought, feeling an inexplicable chill at the back of her neck.