Chapter 109: Somewhat Displeased

The sound of footsteps was strangely familiar.

Shen Nanyuan thought for a moment, then her whole body stiffened.

She turned, her gaze fixed on the direction from which the footsteps came. Her pupils contracted slightly.

A powerful sense of foreboding surged through her heart. Her voice quivered as she spoke in a low tone, “…Xiao Yan?”

The footsteps paused, then resumed, and soon a face appeared in Shen Nanyuan’s line of sight—familiar, yet strangely foreign. Gone was any trace of the servant she once knew at Shaohua Courtyard; his brows and eyes were as dark as obsidian, exuding nobility and ease. Shen Nanyuan suddenly felt timid, hardly daring to recognize him.

Her heart pounded wildly, her fingers unconsciously clenched tight. For a moment, she could not think of what to say to him.

Shen Nanyuan took a deep breath, and under the weight of his gaze, she spoke softly, “Um…”

Xiao Yan stood not far from her. She suddenly recalled what Qingrui had told her, pursed her lips, and called out in a low voice, “Your Highness.”

Things were different now.

He was the Third Prince, the ruler.

Even if he seemed to favor her, propriety could not be neglected.

Xiao Yan’s brows furrowed sharply.

Yet before he could speak, Shen Nanyuan looked over again, paused, and the light in her eyes brightened, resembling her former self: “You’ve changed so much.”

It was as if a cat’s claw scratched at his heart, and he felt a bit relieved. “I suppose I have.”

Shen Nanyuan regarded him, her expression puzzled. “Why are you here?”

“Just passing by.”

Xiao Yan’s expression was calm. Shen Nanyuan thought for a moment and said, “By the way, after you left, Uncle Li was rather upset. I thought I should tell you what he wanted to say.”

“He hopes you are well, and if possible, hopes you might visit him sometime.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yan felt a warm current rise in his heart. He was about to promise, but his expression suddenly turned stern; his gaze flicked to the side, and his voice grew cold.

“Mm.”

Such an attitude startled Shen Nanyuan. She looked up at Xiao Yan’s icy face and couldn’t help but ask, “You…”

But before she could finish, Xiao Yan interrupted her. His eyes were pitch-black and chilling, his voice cold and detached, as if he barely knew her.

“How is it that the County Princess is here?”

Shen Nanyuan met his gaze, enveloped by his aloof, indifferent eyes, feeling a chill seep through her entire body, her hands trembling slightly.

She lowered her eyes, masking the pain that flashed beneath them. “Your Highness, I’ve lost my way and do not know how to find Taiji Palace. Might Your Highness show me the way?”

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The disappointment and sense of disparity overwhelmed her, making her momentarily sorrowful.

Xiao Yan’s hand clenched, watching the light in her eyes gradually dim, and the pain raging in his heart nearly drowned him.

But he was powerless.

“If you cannot find your way, County Princess, you should not wander the palace.” He frowned, brushing past Shen Nanyuan. “Even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand. Soon, a palace maid should pass by; call out to her then and let her lead you. I have matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave.”

With that, he strode away.

Shen Nanyuan felt as though the blood in her veins had frozen. After a moment, she laughed at herself.

It seemed Chuyue was mistaken.

Xiao Yan did not favor her.

Otherwise, how could he behave so coldly? Besides, his days at the Duke of Zhen’s mansion had not been comfortable; it was natural for him to want to sever ties with the past upon returning.

“Princess Yong’an?”

A voice called out. Shen Nanyuan followed the sound and saw a palace maid.

“Are you unable to find your way back to Taiji Palace, County Princess? Allow me to escort you.”

Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, Shen Nanyuan nodded. “All right.”

—

Xiao Yan frowned, agitation raging in his heart.

Watching the palace maid slowly walk toward Shen Nanyuan, Xiao Yan’s hand tightened.

After many days, he’d finally seen her again, only for it to end like this. His heart felt as if it had been punched, unbearably painful.

But the palace was full of spies.

If they were seen together, it would not only harm him, but Shen Nanyuan as well.

He had no choice, yet his mind was in turmoil.

Since entering the palace, nothing had disturbed him as much as this moment. Only Shen Nanyuan could sway his emotions so.

He kept recalling her disappointed and shocked expression, his chest pricked with countless needles.

Liu Zian stood respectfully behind him. “Your Highness, have you encountered some trouble?”

“…,” Xiao Yan turned, his gaze instantly calm. “No.”

He spoke in a subdued voice, “Return to the palace.”

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Liu Zian bowed. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Xiao Yan was always suspicious, especially since Liu Zian had been beside the emperor, newly transferred to Xiao Yan. It was possible he still served the emperor.

Everyone in the palace was cunning.

Xiao Yan’s gaze was dark and unreadable.

The afternoon sunlight grew brighter. After returning to the Duke of Zhen’s mansion with Shen Sinian, Shen Nanyuan handed the jade hairpin gifted by the Second Prince to Qingrui, instructing her to store it in the vault.

Uncle Li stood in the courtyard, his face radiant with joy, though it was unclear how long he’d been waiting.

“Miss,” he said softly, “did you see Xiao Yan in the palace? How is he now?”

Mentioning Xiao Yan, Shen Nanyuan was reminded of his cold, distant demeanor. She nodded, feeling uneasy. “I did.”

“He’s… very well now. He dresses nicely, his residence must be comfortable, and he’s surrounded by a host of palace maids and eunuchs. He’s the Third Prince now—he won’t suffer.”

Uncle Li nodded. “That’s good, that’s good.”

He did not ask further, seeming satisfied merely to know Xiao Yan was well. He smiled, saying, “I made some pastries, let me bring them to you.”

Shen Nanyuan sighed softly, sitting at the stone bench. Qingrui stood beside her. “Miss, you seem a bit unhappy.”

“Yes, I am a little unhappy.”

In truth, she felt something she couldn’t quite put into words.

Perhaps her expectations had been too high.

She had thought that after Xiao Yan had spent over a year at Shaohua Courtyard, he would have some affection for her and for this place. But reality had disappointed her, leaving her in low spirits.

Uncle Li’s pastries were sweet, but delicious.

Forget it.

Perhaps it was better to keep some distance from the main characters.

She rose wearily and made her way indoors. “I’m tired. I’ll rest for a while.”

Little did she expect that after falling asleep, the sky had already darkened when she awoke. Having eaten a bit too much at midday, she wasn’t very hungry, so she ate lightly and returned to her room to read a storybook. The candlelight flickered within, and after reading for a while, she stretched lazily, feeling no trace of sleepiness.

As night deepened, she sent Qingrui off to rest. All was silent; it seemed that even the drop of a pin could be heard.

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