Chapter 104: His Highness’s Compassionate Heart

Shen Sinian nodded. "Of course I'm worried. He has been learning martial arts from me for over a year now, and I see him every day. Naturally, we are close. Besides, he was once a member of the Duke Protector’s household. There is no scheming or intrigue here, but once he enters the palace, I fear he may not be able to handle the troubles within."

The palace was rife with intrigue; a single misstep could cost one’s life. Now that he was entangled with the matter of succession, Shen Sinian’s concern for his situation deepened.

He had just entered the palace—who knew if there was anyone trustworthy at his side?

Shen Nanyuan looked at his worried frown and quietly said, "Don’t worry, brother. He’ll be able to handle things himself."

Moreover…

The way Shen Nanyuan looked at Shen Sinian grew subtly strange.

Now the one engaged to the Duke Protector’s household was the Second Prince. Outsiders already regarded the Second Prince and the Duke Protector’s household as allies, but Shen Sinian seemed more concerned for Xiao Yan than he was for the Second Prince.

It was as if the Second Prince hadn’t crossed his mind at all.

After a moment, she spoke softly, "But he’s just entered the palace and hasn’t yet found his footing. He probably has very few people he can trust."

Shen Sinian pondered for a while. "I still don’t know what Xiao Yan is capable of, or if he has the ability to rise to a high position. But if he does..."

He suddenly looked up, his gaze settling on Shen Nanyuan. "I am willing to be the person he can trust."

In his eyes was a solemn and certain light that left Shen Nanyuan momentarily stunned, and even Meng Chuyue stood in place, taken aback by his words.

"But," Shen Sinian said, "you still have a marriage contract with the Second Prince. I’m afraid I can’t—"

"Don’t worry about that, brother," Shen Nanyuan interrupted him at once, her eyes shining with a faint light. "Don’t worry about it. Just do as you wish."

If Shen Sinian truly wanted to be someone Xiao Yan could trust, the chances of persuading Shen Yi would increase dramatically.

Her eyes grew brighter.

"Xiao Yan is not as ignorant as he seems. On the contrary, he knows everything. You’ll understand in time. Even though I am engaged to the Second Prince, in my heart, I believe Xiao Yan is more suited to sit on the throne."

Shen Nanyuan’s voice was clear and crisp. "If Xiao Yan becomes Crown Prince, perhaps the engagement could be annulled, brother."

Shen Sinian stared at her for a moment, then suddenly broke into a genuine smile—the first true smile he’d shown in days. He nodded vigorously. "Very well."

After a slight pause, his eyes returned to Shen Nanyuan. "How do you know Xiao Yan understands everything?"

After all, she held the script in her hands—even if it was a false one.

Shen Nanyuan’s expression remained unchanged. "I see him every day, so naturally I know what kind of person he is."

"He won’t disappoint you, brother."

Still, even with the Duke Protector’s support, Xiao Yan would have to prove himself. Otherwise, those who supported the Second Prince would hardly acknowledge this prince who had lived in exile for years.

Meng Chuyue listened to the siblings’ conversation, and the corners of her lips curved into a relaxed, gentle smile.

It seemed the matter was finding its solution. Moreover...

Her gaze was drawn, almost involuntarily, to Shen Sinian, and her eyes softened.

Shen Sinian was truly a wonderful person.

Just then, a guard entered, bowed, and said, "Young master, miss, the Second Prince has arrived."

...

Shen Nanyuan’s smile instantly faded.

Meng Chuyue gave her a reassuring look, then rose and saluted as the Second Prince entered.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"Please, rise," Gu Shengyu replied with a smile. He cast a glance at Meng Chuyue, his gaze lingering. "How lively it is today. Why is Miss Meng here?"

His tone was casual, but Shen Nanyuan heard a hint of mockery beneath his words.

Naturally, it was because the Prime Minister supported Xiao Yan.

No matter how he had tried to win over the Prime Minister before, it had all been useless. Yet after Xiao Yan’s return, the Prime Minister had immediately taken his side...

How could he not be annoyed?

"Your Highness, I was unable to come yesterday due to other matters," Meng Chuyue said, lowering her head. "So I came today especially to bring the county princess her birthday gift."

"Oh?" Gu Shengyu raised an eyebrow. "May I see what Miss Meng has brought?"

"Your Highness," Shen Nanyuan replied, "the servants have already taken it to the storeroom. If Your Highness would like to see it, I can have them fetch it."

Gu Shengyu turned his gaze to Shen Nanyuan, his eyes softening slightly. "There’s no need. I came today specifically to see you."

"Did you like the birthday gifts I sent?"

"...I did. Thank you, Your Highness," Shen Nanyuan replied. In truth, she hadn’t even seen what Gu Shengyu had sent her yesterday; she had simply ordered the servants to store it away.

"I’m pleased you liked them."

Gu Shengyu said, "Please, be seated."

The group sat down as instructed. Gu Shengyu took the seat beside Shen Nanyuan. Qingrui poured tea and placed a cup gently before the Second Prince.

"You all must know that my third brother, lost for many years, has returned to the palace," Gu Shengyu began. "It’s rather a coincidence. My third brother was actually a guard in the county princess’s residence this whole time. I never knew. Fortunately, the county princess was kind and never mistreated him. For me, that is a comfort."

Shen Nanyuan replied calmly, "I only learned of this recently as well. It is an honor for the Duke Protector’s household."

"Truly fortunate. You may not know," he continued, "but my third brother was always very attached to me as a child. He was my little shadow, always following wherever I went. After he was lost, I was restless day and night. When I heard yesterday that he had returned, I was overjoyed. At last, the nightmare of all these years can be put to rest."

With her eyes lowered, Shen Nanyuan allowed a trace of mockery to curl at her lips, hidden from the Second Prince’s view.

He made it sound so convincing.

In truth, of all people, he was the most unsettled by Xiao Yan’s return, yet he claimed to be overjoyed.

Still, he was not responsible for Xiao Yan’s disappearance as a child.

But in one respect, he was not lying.

As children, Xiao Yan had indeed been very attached to him. In the period before his disappearance, it was probably the time when the two brothers were closest.

But one vanished, and the other grew up.

Under Consort Zhuang’s guidance and with the passing years, he developed an intense desire for power and position.

Shen Sinian said, "Perhaps it is Your Highness’s unwavering concern that has brought the Third Prince safely home. Your Highness is truly kind-hearted."

...For the first time, Shen Nanyuan realized how skilled Shen Sinian was at spouting nonsense.

She echoed, "Your Highness is truly kind-hearted."

Gu Shengyu smiled. "It is all thanks to the Duke Protector’s household."