Chapter Twenty-Five: Let’s Call Him Big Brother Together

He clearly did not like the taste of candied fruit, yet he still picked one up and placed it in his mouth. After a moment, his thin lips curled ever so slightly.

When Shen Nanyuan entered the main hall, only Meng Chuyue and her maid were present; Shen Yi had likely gone to the study. Smiling, she walked over and greeted softly, "Chuyue."

Meng Chuyue was dressed today in a pale yellow gown, evidently chosen with care. She looked lively and spirited, her eyes bright as water, radiating a subtle vivacity.

"My father asked me to come thank you both. If not for you, he would never have seen me again," Meng Chuyue said, suddenly recalling something and laughing, "You can't imagine, my father almost lost his composure and wiped his tears—so funny! When I laughed at him, he accused me of being heartless."

Shen Nanyuan was a little surprised. She hadn't expected the current Prime Minister to show such a side; it seemed he truly doted on his daughter.

Feigning ignorance, she asked, "Has the culprit behind all this been found? I heard from my elder brother that the Prime Minister's household took those six assassins away."

At this, Meng Chuyue's smile faded.

She looked up at Shen Nanyuan, hiding nothing. "The assassins didn't confess, but I know who it was—my father knows, too. I happened to see one of them once before, so as soon as I saw him, I realized who wanted me dead."

"It was my mother, the mistress of the Meng family."

A mocking smile touched Meng Chuyue's lips. "The assassins were probably all guards from her family. They'd visited the Prime Minister's mansion before; she thought I didn't know. My father didn't want to air family scandals and invite gossip, so he put her under house arrest."

Seeing Meng Chuyue as she was now, Shen Nanyuan didn't know what to say to comfort her.

Meng Chuyue noticed and turned, smiling, "Don't look at me like that, there's no need to comfort me. Honestly, I was quite happy to see her confined. She had it coming, and seeing her finally humbled made me glad."

She waved her hand. "Enough about that. Show me around the Duke of Zhen's residence! I've always heard it's magnificent, with enormous grounds. It's my first visit, and I'm genuinely curious."

The Duke of Zhen's residence was indeed extensive.

The residence was a gift from the Emperor himself, a mark of honor for the great general who had safeguarded the realm.

Shen Nanyuan had lived here for several months before she became familiar with its layout. Exquisite pavilions and towers, tranquil bamboo paths, a serene and refined grandeur—walking with Meng Chuyue, Shen Nanyuan sensed that her companion's mind was not truly on sightseeing.

She discreetly glanced at Meng Chuyue and silently changed their destination to Shaohua Courtyard.

"By the way, how is the person who was injured last time? I brought some excellent medicines for wounds—could you deliver them for me?"

Ah, here was her true intention.

Shen Nanyuan waved her hand, suppressing a smile. "You should give them yourself. We're almost at his quarters."

Meng Chuyue paused, then nodded. "That's fine."

As they entered Shaohua Courtyard, they saw Jin Zhu approaching. She curtsied and reported, "Miss, the young master has arrived. He's in the side room speaking with Xiao Yan."

"Understood." Shen Nanyuan turned to Meng Chuyue, catching the unmistakable joy in her eyes and sighing inwardly.

So she truly had come to see Xiao Yan.

Fortunately, Shen Nanyuan had noticed in time; otherwise, if they had wandered aimlessly, Meng Chuyue might not have encountered him at all.

She affectionately linked arms with Meng Chuyue and led her toward the side room, deliberately mentioning Shen Sinian, "My brother's here, too. Didn't you say he was stern? Let me help you break that impression today."

And then she would leave Meng Chuyue and Xiao Yan alone together.

Later, she would find an excuse to take Shen Sinian away, thus recreating the original scene where Meng Chuyue snuck over to see Xiao Yan alone.

Meng Chuyue lowered her eyes and murmured an assent, biting her lip in slight embarrassment.

Shen Sinian and Xiao Yan had grown familiar; despite their differing status, Shen Sinian paid little heed to such things. After Xiao Yan was injured and unable to practice martial arts with him, he often came to Shaohua Courtyard to chat, and though Xiao Yan was not talkative, he would converse with him.

That the two of them could have common topics amazed Shen Nanyuan.

She entered arm-in-arm with Meng Chuyue and saw the two men sitting face-to-face. Smiling, she called, "Brother."

Shen Sinian was dressed today in white silk robes, quite different from his usual stern and distant demeanor toward outsiders. He looked the part of a refined young gentleman, and he nodded lazily, his gaze settling on Meng Chuyue. "Miss Meng."

Meng Chuyue's hand tightened slightly. "Young Master Shen."

"Why call him 'Young Master'?" Shen Nanyuan said. "Just call him 'Brother' like I do."

Meng Chuyue hesitated nervously. "Is that all right?"

"Of course. My brother isn't one for formalities. Call him 'Brother' with me—it's fine, isn't it, Brother?"

Shen Sinian gave a noncommittal sound, clearly unconcerned. "Why are you dressed so lightly? It's turned cold lately, and you didn't wear a cloak outside."

"It's not cold," Shen Nanyuan replied, seating Meng Chuyue beside her. "It's only cold at night, and I don't go out then."

"If you say so now, but when the wind makes you uncomfortable, you'll regret it."

"I won't. I'm quite healthy."

The siblings bantered, and Meng Chuyue covertly glanced at Shen Sinian, thinking Shen Nanyuan was right—he was nothing like her previous impression. Now, he was just a brother worried about his sister, bickering affectionately.

It made her a little envious.

"I remember you hate taking medicine most. If you get sick, you'll have to drink it—it's bitter. Don't look pitiful and refuse; I'll make sure you finish every drop."

Shen Nanyuan was about to protest that her brother seemed to wish her ill, but then Xiao Yan, who had been quietly sipping tea, spoke in a calm and natural tone, "The young master is right. Miss should dress warmly to avoid falling ill."

At those words, Shen Sinian laughed.

"No one's on your side now, Nanyuan. Even your own people think I'm right."

Shen Nanyuan: "..."

She gave a small huff and turned, her gaze shifting from Meng Chuyue to Xiao Yan.

"By the way, Chuyue, didn't you say you brought some excellent medicine for wounds?"

"Oh, right," Meng Chuyue suddenly remembered, looking at Xiao Yan. "This is for you."