Chapter Twenty-Three: As Long As You're Safe

Shen Nanyuan nodded gently and replied with a soft "Mm": "I heard you were injured, so I came to see you." She set the medicine bottle on the table and continued, "I happened to bring some healing salve with me; you can use it."

As expected, Meng Chuyue stepped forward, picked up one of the bottles, and stood before Shen Nanyuan, her face full of guilt as she addressed Xiao Yan, "Let me help you apply the medicine and bandage your wound. I used to dress my third brother’s wounds, so I know a little about it."

Her gaze was lowered, showing no hint of distaste for his status—her brows and eyes revealed nothing but worry.

"And besides..." Meng Chuyue added, "You were injured because of me."

Shen Nanyuan stood quietly at the side, saying nothing. This was certainly not a moment for someone as insignificant as her to speak.

Xiao Yan paused, then his brows furrowed, his voice growing cold, "That’s unnecessary. My injury has nothing to do with you, miss, and besides, someone has already dressed it for me."

"But they didn’t do as good a job as I can." Meng Chuyue moved closer to his side. "I learned specifically from the physician. Trust me, your wound is so deep, and it’s on your arm—if it doesn’t heal properly, what if it leaves a lasting ailment?"

She tilted her head and continued, "You’re a guard, aren’t you? If your arm is left with a problem, it’ll be troublesome in the future."

Hearing her words, Xiao Yan’s expression, though still somewhat resistant, clearly softened compared to before.

Shen Nanyuan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

The heroine truly knows how to seize on what others care about to convince them.

No one spoke in the room; the silence was almost suffocating. Shen Nanyuan glanced at the two of them, sensing a vague, ambiguous tension in the air. Knowing all too well the direction of their story, she pressed her lips together, trying not to smile, but unexpectedly met Xiao Yan’s gaze.

His eyes were as dark as a deep spring, like an abyss, sending a chill down her spine.

He noticed her looking at him, yet didn’t avert his gaze; his eyes remained fixed on her, black as ink.

Shen Nanyuan thought, "What’s the matter?"

She glanced down at herself.

Was she being a nuisance by staying here?

Her precious son is falling in love, and the old mother isn’t allowed to watch.

Shen Nanyuan gave a dry, awkward laugh and, perceptively, offered, "I see you’re all right, so we’ll excuse ourselves now. If you need anything, just call for me in the east wing."

Xiao Yan’s eyes grew darker, a surge of irritation rising from within, shadowing his brows. His thin lips moved as if to say something, but in the end, he merely replied coldly, "Miss, take care on the way."

"Very well," she replied.

Before Shen Nanyuan could say anything further, Meng Chuyue looked up, hesitating for a moment before softly asking, "Miss, could you please wait for me outside for a while? There’s something I’d like to discuss..."

Shen Nanyuan was a bit surprised but smiled and nodded, "Of course, I’ll wait for you outside."

Perhaps she was too embarrassed to ask about the young man’s condition directly, so she wanted to ask her instead.

She understood perfectly.

Shen Nanyuan and Qing Ruo left together. She hadn’t felt tired before, but now, exhaustion washed over her all at once. She yawned, "At last, I can sleep in peace."

She hadn’t slept much the night before, troubled by all that had happened.

Now that this matter was resolved, she could finally have a good rest tonight.

The night deepened; it was chilly right after stepping out of the room. Shen Nanyuan pulled her cloak more tightly around herself. She hadn’t waited long before Meng Chuyue also emerged. Smiling, Shen Nanyuan asked, "I wonder what you wanted to ask me?"

Meng Chuyue showed no shyness. "My name is Meng Chuyue, daughter of the current Prime Minister. May I ask your name? I noticed you had many guards with you today, so you must not be an ordinary person."

"My name is Shen Nanyuan, from the Duke Protector’s residence."

At these words, Meng Chuyue’s face revealed a touch of surprise, and after a moment, she smiled, "So you’re from the Duke Protector’s family. No wonder the guards at your side are so exceptional."

She continued, "This is my first time here, and such a thing has already happened. I apologize for disturbing your peace. When I return, I’ll tell my father truthfully that it was the Duke Protector’s people who saved me, and I’ll come thank you in person another day."

Those who'd come to kill her were far from ordinary. The guards she’d brought were no match for them. If not for those who came to her aid today, she might not have survived.

Shen Nanyuan shook her head, "Miss Meng, there’s no need to be so formal."

As soon as she finished speaking, a firm stride sounded from outside the courtyard. Both women looked over to see Shen Sinian approaching, sword in hand, exuding a powerful aura, his features sharp and striking.

Shen Nanyuan didn’t notice the sudden brightness on Meng Chuyue’s face.

"How is Xiao Yan’s injury?" Shen Sinian’s voice was low as he approached Shen Nanyuan, adjusting her cloak. Meng Chuyue stood by, her eyes sparkling as she answered.

"I’ve already bandaged his wound. As long as he changes the dressing regularly and rests, he’ll recover."

Only then did Shen Sinian look at Meng Chuyue, nodding, "Thank you, Miss Meng. Tonight I’ll assign more guards to ensure your safety. As for those six assassins, I’ll report to my father and we’ll decide how to proceed."

Meng Chuyue’s expression froze; her eyes widened in surprise.

"How do you know who I am?"

"To ensure my grandmother’s and my sister’s safety during these three days, I naturally need to know everyone’s identity in the temple," Shen Sinian replied. "If I’ve been rude, please forgive me."

Shen Nanyuan thought, "So my brother already knew the Prime Minister’s daughter was staying here."

Shen Sinian reached out to gently ruffle his sister’s hair, his expression softening, "I’ll go check on Xiao Yan. Now that everything is settled, go get some rest. If you look as haggard as you did this morning when we return home tomorrow, Father will scold me for not taking proper care of you."

"I know," Shen Nanyuan replied. "Brother, you should rest early too."

He smiled, then walked past them and went inside.

"Miss Meng, you should head back as well. With the Duke Protector’s guards here, there’s nothing to fear tonight," Shen Nanyuan said. "When will you be returning home?"

"I’ll leave tomorrow as well." Meng Chuyue walked with her for a while, then paused. "But I truly envy you, Miss Shen."

"I’ve long heard that everyone in the Duke Protector’s residence dotes on you. Seeing it today, it’s just as the rumors say. Captain Shen is renowned, unmatched in the world, and though I’ve heard he’s extremely strict, I see that in front of you, he can be so gentle."

Shen Nanyuan smiled, "Only thus can he keep his soldiers in line, right? My brother’s nature is easygoing; it’s only out of duty that he acts otherwise."