Chapter 142: Do Not Worry About Me

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Meng Chuyue’s voice was somewhat urgent: “Yuan Yuan! I’m not late, am I? Have they left yet?”

“...” Shen Nanyuan gently shook her head. “No, they haven’t left yet.”

“That’s good.”

Meng Chuyue pressed her lips tightly, her gaze resting on the vast sea of soldiers below. A heavy veil of worry and reluctance clouded her eyes, so intense that it startled Shen Nanyuan.

“Luckily, we caught up with them.”

The relationship between her and Xiao Yan had long since completely collapsed, so it was impossible that she came to see him. The only possibility was that she came to see... her eldest brother?

Suddenly, Shen Nanyuan thought of this possibility. Her gaze involuntarily shifted and fixed on Meng Chuyue’s tightly pressed lips. Looking at her worried profile, she carefully considered it and was struck with astonishment.

Come to think of it, it seemed that every time she had believed the main storyline between Xiao Yan and Meng Chuyue was progressing smoothly, Shen Siyuan had been there.

At the Puyue Temple where the male and female leads first met, Shen Siyuan was there.

During the imperial hunt, Shen Siyuan was there.

Even during the boating outing, he was present.

Could it be that from the very beginning, when Xiao Yan and Meng Chuyue were just starting out, the main storyline had already been broken, and Meng Chuyue had already liked her eldest brother?

Her mind involuntarily recalled the cryptic words Gaoxueluo had said during last year’s imperial hunt.

“I feel like Chuyue might like your eldest brother. She’s been watching him all the time!”

Shen Nanyuan: “...”

She suddenly slapped her own head, her face full of regret.

What a fool she had been!

At that time, she had never imagined the main storyline would collapse, so she had always thought Xiao Yan and Meng Chuyue were the pair, never considering anything else.

It turned out Meng Chuyue truly wanted to be her sister-in-law.

Shen Nanyuan hesitated for a moment, then suddenly saw a flash of brightness in Meng Chuyue’s eyes. Pausing briefly, she followed her gaze and saw beneath the city wall, armored from head to toe, Xiao Yan and Shen Siyuan slowly appearing within their sight.

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Handsome and commanding, with a proud bearing.

His sculpted features exuded a just and cold aura, his eyes flashing with sharp brilliance like icy stars—aloof, solitary, yet imposing, possessing an invincible majesty.

Behind them followed the Second Prince and a host of ministers.

Gu Shengyu looked at Xiao Yan with deep concern. “Third Brother, once you leave, who knows when you will return to the capital. I only wish for everything to go smoothly and for your safe and victorious return.”

The ministers also spoke words of safe return, no different from those said when Shen Yi had marched out.

Xiao Yan nodded, his sharply defined features shining brilliantly in the sunlight. He and Shen Siyuan seemed to be exchanging some words. Shen Nanyuan stood on the city wall, unable to hear clearly, only seeing the two turn and head towards nearby horses, easily mounting them.

The melancholy and sadness in her heart seemed to peak at that moment. Her worried hand instinctively rested on the city wall. Everything from the past seemed like fleeting clouds. The pitiful boy from over a year ago had transformed into the Third Prince, majestically commanding hundreds of thousands of troops from horseback.

Amid the rising voices of the people, Wu Miaofu’s gaze fell on the cold-faced Xiao Yan on horseback. His appearance, even more outstanding than the Second Prince’s, held her attention captive.

She had never seen this Third Prince before. Looking now, his features were truly more handsome than the Second Prince’s.

Yet it was a pity that this journey was uncertain—life or death unknown. He could have stayed safely in the capital as a prince, but instead chose to undertake this deadly mission.

Suddenly, the two riders grasping their reins turned their heads sharply to look up at the city wall.

Shen Nanyuan’s hand tightened abruptly. Their eyes met—Xiao Yan’s dark gaze softened for a moment, a warmth rising in her heart, moistening her eyes slightly.

Before tens of thousands of troops, in that instant where they looked at each other clad in black armor, it seemed as if the world instantly fell silent.

As if all surrounding colors dimmed, leaving only the two of them.

But he only looked for a moment before turning his head back. To others, it was just a casual glance, but only Shen Nanyuan knew he had deliberately looked their way.

Shen Siyuan raised his hand to wave at his siblings, silently mouthing, “Don’t worry about me.”

Shen Jinyu waved back. Always carefree, he didn’t care for formalities and called out loudly, “Big brother! Make sure you come back safe and sound!”

His voice was loud enough for Shen Siyuan below the wall to hear clearly, causing the ministers to look up. A faint smile appeared at the corner of Shen Siyuan’s lips. After a moment, he turned and rode closely behind Xiao Yan. The dark army gradually receded until the two leading figures disappeared from view. Shen Nanyuan, with reddened eyes, finally withdrew her gaze.

Shen Jinyu’s voice was very soft: “Sister, let’s head back.”

Shen Nanyuan nodded slightly. “Chuyue, shall we go back?”

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The ground was covered in pristine white snow from a day-long snowfall earlier, now blanketing everywhere. The army’s passage left a trail of footprints.

Meng Chuyue sighed softly, reluctant to turn away. “Let’s go.”

Below the city wall, the Second Prince remained.

He wore a fox fur cloak, his tall figure making his face stand out with distinction.

Gu Shengyu spoke softly, “County lady, please do not be saddened. Captain Shen will surely return safely and victoriously.”

Shen Nanyuan lowered her head, not looking at him.

After the unpleasant departure from the Duke of Zhen Guo’s mansion, she had thought the Second Prince, so concerned with face, wouldn’t come looking for her again anytime soon. A trace of helplessness rose in her heart. “The weather is cold. Second Prince, you should return to the palace quickly. I shall also return to my residence.”

Every word expressed her desire to distance herself from him as soon as possible.

Gu Shengyu’s hand tightened, his brows darkened slightly as his gaze fell on Shen Nanyuan. But as he looked up, he suddenly caught sight of Wu Miaofu’s apricot-shaped eyes cautiously watching him from behind Shen Nanyuan.

Meeting his gaze, she seemed startled and quickly lowered her head, like a frightened rabbit.

Gu Shengyu paused for a moment and stepped aside. “Indeed, it’s cold. County lady, please return.”

Shen Nanyuan bowed slightly. “Your servant takes her leave.”

The carriage from the Duke of Zhen Guo’s mansion stood not far off. Shen Nanyuan glanced at Meng Chuyue out of the corner of her eye, then turned to Shen Jinyu. “You and Miaofu go back first. Chuyue and I will head to the Prime Minister’s residence and return later.”

Shen Jinyu nodded. “Alright, sister.”

He boarded the carriage first. Wu Miaofu glanced at the Second Prince once more before following Shen Jinyu onto the carriage.

Meng Chuyue’s face showed slight weariness. “There’s been a lot going on in the residence recently, so I haven’t come to see you as often.”