Chapter Nineteen: Your Sister Will Buy It for You

Safe and sound.

It seemed to be the first time Xiao Yan had ever heard anyone say those words to him. His vision suddenly blurred, and faces from decades past, twisted and mocking, flashed before his eyes. Yet they vanished as quickly as they appeared, replaced by a gently smiling countenance. Her eyes were bright and soft, as though bathed in a pool of clear spring water, shimmering beneath the candlelight and wrapped in a misty glow.

She tilted her head, her smile pure. “I hope you’ll be happy and safe here in Shaohua Courtyard.”

The sky outside had already darkened, but the candlelight within the room shut out the night, leaving only peace and serenity.

Xiao Yan felt a sudden tightening in his chest. He lowered his gaze and murmured, “Thank you, Miss.”

“Go ahead and drink,” Shen Nanyuan said, “See if you like it.”

Xiao Yan’s gaze fell upon the wine before him. He said nothing, simply raised the cup and emptied it in one draught. It was cool and sweet, with a lingering, mellow aftertaste.

He lowered his eyes and nodded. “I like it.”

“That’s good,” Shen Nanyuan said with relief, raising her own cup and imitating his manner, draining it in one go. Yet as soon as the wine touched her lips, she couldn’t help but frown.

Swallowing the wine, she gently shook her head. “As I thought, I’m still not used to the taste.”

She stood up. “I’ll leave the rest of the wine for you. Today is the Double Ninth Festival; Uncle Li will prepare some dishes, and the servants in the courtyard will dine together. If you wish to join them, go ahead. If not, ask Uncle Li to save you some, and you can eat here.”

But knowing Xiao Yan’s temperament, he certainly disliked crowds.

He was used to being alone.

Xiao Yan rose and bowed. “Yes, I understand.”

“Then I’ll take my leave; it wouldn’t do to keep Grandmother waiting.”

The room quickly returned to quiet, and even felt somewhat empty. He slowly walked back to his seat, poured himself some chrysanthemum wine, and drank it all. It was delicious—a taste he had never experienced.

His hand holding the cup paused for a moment. He lowered his gaze, deep in thought, his eyes shadowed and unreadable.

There were still six or seven days before the journey to Puyue Temple.

Ever since Xiao Yan began training in martial arts with Shen Sinian, Shen Nanyuan had felt uneasy. She worried about Shen Sinian’s harshness—if he pushed Xiao Yan too hard and injured him, what would happen? The trip to Puyue Temple was imminent, and Xiao Yan had to go.

Fortunately, though the training was exhausting, Xiao Yan seemed able to endure it these days. His body grew stronger and more upright; his features, already refined, became even more handsome. In the mansion, he often caught the eyes of many maids.

Before the journey, Shen Nanyuan paid a visit to Qingfeng Pavilion.

Shen Jinyu’s injuries had healed considerably; lately he could walk around, though he still had two months of confinement left. His daily activity was limited to the pavilion. When Shen Nanyuan came to see him, he was overjoyed.

“Sister, you finally came to see me,” he said, though his gaze drifted to Qingrui’s hands behind her. Shen Nanyuan smiled, “What are you looking at? I didn’t bring anything for you this time. I always bring something when I visit—are you not going to invite me to sit since I came empty-handed?”

“Of course not,” Shen Jinyu pointed at a chair. “Please, sit.”

He poured tea for her himself. After a month of recovery, his face had filled out a bit, softening some of the previous harshness.

“I heard you’re going to Puyue Temple tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Shen Nanyuan replied, sipping her tea. “I’ll be there for three days, so I wanted to see you before I leave. Has Father visited you lately?”

At this, Shen Jinyu’s mood dimmed. “No. Ever since I was confined, Father hasn’t come. Big brother and Mother have visited a few times, so has Grandmother. Only Father refuses.”

“Do you blame him?” Shen Nanyuan asked.

Shen Jinyu pursed his lips, glancing at her face cautiously. “A little. After all, I was so badly hurt—and he ordered it. I am his son; shouldn’t he care for me?”

He finished, troubled. “Sister, I’m just being honest. Please don’t be angry or think I’m unreasonable.”

Shen Nanyuan shook her head. “Not at all. If you said you didn’t blame Father, I’d know you were lying, and then I’d be angry.”

She couldn’t help but smile. “I can see you’ve changed.”

Shen Jinyu looked surprised.

“The first night I came to Qingfeng Pavilion, you gritted your teeth and said Father never cared for you, never looked at you properly, and that if you died, he’d be happy.”

Shen Nanyuan’s voice was gentle and soft, yet Shen Jinyu’s face flushed with embarrassment. He hurriedly said, “Sister, please don’t bring that up. I’d just been beaten and was furious.”

“Although I’m still a bit angry with him, over the past month, you’ve often talked to me about Father’s struggles on the battlefield, conquering cities. I think I might have been a bit too harsh before.”

Shen Nanyuan raised her eyebrows.

Only a bit?

…Well, a bit is already an improvement.

She continued, “As I said, once you change, Father will notice.”

Shen Jinyu nodded vigorously.

He looked up at her, his smile a little pleading. “Sister, when you return, can you buy some pastries from the Ruyi shop? I’m craving them.”

Fourteen was the age for growth, and his tastes were picky; he wanted only the best treats in the capital.

“Alright.” Shen Nanyuan laughed, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “I’ll buy them for you.”

The next day, the sun was bright. Shen Nanyuan followed the old lady, boarding the carriage under the watchful eyes of Shen Yi and Lady Shen.

The Old Madam of the Duke of Zhen’s household and the legitimate young lady traveling together to pray at Puyue Temple was no small event; it was inevitable that some would have ulterior motives. Thus, Shen Yi assigned many guards for their protection.

Unlike the book, this time Shen Sinian, uneasy about their safety, went along as well.

Though there was one more person, nothing should go amiss—the story’s framework remained, with the protagonists Xiao Yan and the heroine meeting and forging their connection.

Besides, in the original novel, she hadn’t gone at all.

Knowing Xiao Yan would be injured at Puyue Temple, she prepared medicine in advance so that she could win his favor when the time came. Then, she would wait for the heroine to climb over the Duke’s mansion wall.

Her task was simply to feign ignorance, create opportunities for the pair, and help Xiao Yan’s hatred for the Shen family to fade; the rest was not her concern.

As they neared Puyue Temple, Shen Nanyuan felt a hint of nervousness.