Chapter 105: May He Be Well

He paused briefly, then glanced at Meng Chuyue beside him and went on, “I must also thank the Grand Chancellor.”

Meng Chuyue lowered her head. “Your Highness flatters me.”

“In a few days, Father Emperor should hold a banquet to celebrate the Third Prince’s return to the palace. When the time comes, all of you must come.”

After Gu Shengyu said this, his gaze fell on Shen Nanyuan beside him, and he smiled. “It will be the first formal occasion since our engagement was granted. Many of the court officials will likely come to offer their congratulations. If you are nervous, you need not mind them. I will handle it.”

Shen Nanyuan: “...”

Her heart rebelled fiercely, but she still forced herself to say, “This humble woman thanks Your Highness.”

“There is no need for such formality between us.”

No, there really was.

It was better to keep things formal.

And as for not minding them—what a joke. If she went along with that, the next thing the whole capital would hear was that the Lady of Yong’an was arrogant and overbearing.

The people of the capital loved nothing more than stories like that.

Gu Shengyu lifted his teacup and took a light sip, then seemed to remember something. His gaze shifted to Shen Sinian, and the depth in his eyes grew heavier.

“Since the Third Prince serves as a guard in the State-Guarding Duke’s residence, that means his martial skills must be excellent. Was he taught by Colonel Shen?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Shen Sinian replied with calm composure, neither humble nor arrogant. “I taught him myself. The Third Prince is gifted and learns martial arts very quickly. He is already quite skilled.”

“Then with Colonel Shen teaching him personally, one can imagine how formidable the Third Prince must be.”

He paused, then continued in an apparently casual tone, “Since he has long remained in the State-Guarding Duke’s residence and has been influenced by what he sees and hears there, he must also have some understanding of affairs of state. If so, Father Emperor will have much less to worry about.”

His eyes were lowered, and a trace of deeper meaning flashed in them.

Shen Sinian said, “These matters are not something we know, but the Third Prince is naturally intelligent. I imagine he is no ordinary man.”

“With the Second Prince as such a shining example, if the Third Prince could also be like him, it would truly be a blessing for our dynasty.”

Gu Shengyu looked over. “This prince is hardly worth mentioning. It is only with the support of all of you ministers that our dynasty can continue to prosper.”

He glanced at Shen Sinian. “Especially with the State-Guarding Duke’s residence standing firm, only then can the people live and work in peace. The importance of the State-Guarding Duke’s residence to our dynasty is known throughout the realm.”

Shen Nanyuan and Meng Chuyue sat there without saying a word, listening to the two of them exchange one line after another. Shen Nanyuan truly felt that Shen Sinian was remarkably good at talking around things.

The Second Prince as a shining example.

A blessing for our dynasty.

And who had it been, back then, who had wanted to become someone trusted by Xiao Yan?

Suppressing her laughter, Shen Nanyuan continued listening to their back-and-forth.

In truth, she and Meng Chuyue both understood what Gu Shengyu was trying to say. Nothing more than that the engagement with the State-Guarding Duke’s residence was now his, and that they were on the same side.

Unfortunately, he had come too late.

Still, it was rather dull here.

Shen Nanyuan and Meng Chuyue exchanged a glance, and suddenly she said softly, “Your Highness, big brother, it’s getting late. Chuyue should head back now. I’ll see her out.”

Shen Sinian nodded. “Go on.”

Gu Shengyu paused, then rose as well. “This prince will accompany you.”

Shen Nanyuan nearly choked. “...”

No, please, brother.

She gave an awkward laugh, but no refusal would come to her lips. In the end, she could only stand and walk out of the State-Guarding Duke’s residence.

Meng Chuyue looked at her, and the two exchanged a wry smile.

Fortunately, after seeing Meng Chuyue off, the Second Prince did not linger much longer before leaving as well. At last, Shen Nanyuan could relax and let out a long sigh.

Shen Sinian fell into thought for a moment. “In a few days, I’ll enter the palace and see whether I can find a chance to meet Xiao Yan.”

“Don’t you need to discuss it with Father first?”

Shen Nanyuan considered it, then said, “In a few days, I’ll go with you to speak to Father.”

“Actually, it’s easy enough with Father,” Shen Sinian said. “He was never pleased with this engagement to begin with. Forget it—after we speak to him, I’ll go see Xiao Yan.”

His gaze drifted over his younger sister, and his mood finally returned to the ease he had shown before. He smiled and said, “Brother wants nothing else. I only hope you can break free of this engagement and do whatever you wish. That is Father’s wish, and mine.”

Since they could not defy the imperial decree, they would have to think of another way.

Though there was no guarantee of success, they still had to try.

Something stirred in Shen Nanyuan’s heart, and a faint bitterness rose in her chest.

These past few days, she had seen clearly how dark Shen Sinian’s mood had been. Today, at last, he seemed to have put down the stone that had been weighing on his heart.

Xiao Yan...

She wondered how he was faring in the palace now.

—

Three more days passed in the blink of an eye.

During those three days, Shen Nanyuan had not once left the manor, yet even so, she still learned some things about Xiao Yan from Shen Sinian.

For instance, he had attended court, and his bearing and manner had been so imposing that even Shen Sinian had been startled by the force of his presence.

There was no trace left of the pitiful child he had once been. What remained seemed only the innate nobility and an aura of cold dignity.

Shen Sinian clicked his tongue in amazement. “He has changed so much. If you saw him, you’d be shocked too.”

And then there was the news that the banquet celebrating the Third Prince’s safe return to the palace would be held in the palace.

It would be tomorrow.

Of course she had to go.

When Shen Nanyuan heard the news, she found that her nervousness was impossible to hide.

It had been so many days since she last saw Xiao Yan. Now that she was about to see him again, an inexplicable tremor stirred in her heart.

Nobles, high officials, sons and daughters of wealthy and influential families would all be attending. It was a grand banquet, and since coming into this world, this would be the first time Shen Nanyuan had attended such an occasion. Added to that was the fact that she would soon see Xiao Yan, and she only grew more anxious.

Then Meng Chuyue’s words from some days ago kept echoing in her mind.

“The Third Prince admired you a long time ago.”

Qing Sui brought over some pastries, and upon seeing the sudden cry from her young lady, she exclaimed, “Miss, why is your face red?”

Shen Nanyuan, guilty as though she had been caught stealing, hurriedly covered her face. “Is it? Where is it red?”

Qing Sui looked at her suspiciously. “Then perhaps I was mistaken.”

Shen Nanyuan drew a deep breath, stood up, and walked out of the room. It was just around dusk, and Old Li was heading to the kitchen to prepare dinner. He bent low in salute. “Miss.”

“Old Li, what are we having for dinner tonight?”

“Everything is your favorite, Miss.” Old Li smiled, but the loneliness in his eyes could not be concealed.

It had been like this ever since Xiao Yan left.

He was old now, and perhaps he could no longer bear partings. Once Xiao Yan was gone, it felt as if no matter what he did, there was one person missing. His heart grew a little sad.

When Xiao Yan was here, he truly had treated him like his own son.

Still, now that he had gone off to enjoy wealth and honor, it was probably for the best.

Shen Nanyuan could not help saying softly, “Old Li, I may be able to see Xiao Yan tomorrow. Is there anything you would like me to tell him? I can pass it on for you.”

At this, Old Li’s eyes brightened. After thinking for a moment, he smiled. “There’s not much, really. I just hope everything goes well for him.”