Chapter Twenty-Seven: Follow Me

Earlier, they had been so engrossed in conversation that when Shen Nanyuan glanced out the window, she realized how late it had become. The porcelain bottle Meng Chuyue had given her was still in its original place; Xiao Yan hadn’t touched it, so she mentioned it offhand.

“Chuyue is really worried about you. She always remembers your injury, and today she even came to the Duke of Zhen’s residence herself to bring you medicine.”

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yan merely lifted his gaze to look at her, saying nothing. The sky outside was already growing dim, and there were no lamps lit in the room, casting a shadow that seemed to wrap him in a cloak of darkness.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, puzzled. “Why aren’t you speaking?”

“Nothing,” Xiao Yan replied quietly. “Miss is right.”

Yet his tone clearly disagreed.

Qingrui entered and lit the candles, her voice soft. “Miss, it’s time for supper.”

Shen Nanyuan nodded gently, intending to stand, but her gaze lingered on Xiao Yan’s face. Then she looked up and said, “Let’s eat here today. I don’t feel like walking over.”

Originally, Shen Sinian had promised to dine with her in the Shining Spring Courtyard, but now he’d been summoned by Shen Yi to the study, and would likely end up eating with him instead.

Thinking this over, she added, “Bring Xiao Yan’s meal here too.”

Qingrui’s eyes widened in surprise. “…Miss?”

Though their mistress was not like others, there was still a distinction between master and servant, and her status was noble. To dine with the servants—it was absurd!

Qingrui frowned, wanting to protest, but ultimately said nothing and left obediently.

After all, arguing would be pointless.

Shen Nanyuan turned her head; Xiao Yan was watching her.

She’d expected him to refuse as he had before, citing their difference in status, but this time he didn’t. It made her feel a little triumphant, thinking perhaps Xiao Yan no longer guarded himself against her.

Press on!

Her mood brightened, and she smiled. “By the way, did you finish the preserves I gave you?”

“There are still some left, Miss.”

“I noticed you seem to like them,” she propped her chin on her arm resting atop the table, “so after supper, let’s go out. We can buy some more, and see the city at night.”

She’d been here so long and had yet to see it—surely it was beautiful.

Xiao Yan’s expression froze. “…We?”

“Yes,” Shen Nanyuan nodded, “just us. We won’t bring Qingrui. She’d never let me go, and would tell my mother. We’ll sneak out.”

A noblewoman venturing out at night was improper. Though Qingrui usually indulged her, she would never agree to this.

Her greatest fear was Qingrui telling Lady Shen, which would certainly earn her a punishment.

Lady Shen adored her, but that didn’t mean she indulged her every whim.

Shen Nanyuan was still a little timid.

She heard footsteps outside and hurried to finish her thought, “As long as we’re back before curfew, it’s fine.”

As her words fell, Qingrui and Jin Zhu arrived, carrying exquisitely arranged dishes, and placed them gently before the two. Xiao Yan’s expression was inscrutable, his gaze reflecting the opposite figure who abruptly shed her mischievous smile, adopting a serious demeanor, as though nothing had happened, entirely masking the gleam in her eyes.

He felt a strange sense of contentment.

That side of her was seen only by him; no one else had witnessed it.

A quiet joy spread from his heart. Before him were the plain dishes prepared by Uncle Li, who always made two kinds of meals for the servants: one bland for Xiao Yan’s injuries, another spicy for the others.

“You two go have your meal as well,” Shen Nanyuan said.

“Yes, Miss.”

Before leaving, Qingrui and Jin Zhu replaced the tea with a fresh pot. Shen Nanyuan picked up her chopsticks and gazed at Xiao Yan, who had been staring at her since they sat down. “Eat—why are you looking at me?”

Xiao Yan’s eyes were deep and dark as he shifted his gaze away.

His arm was still injured, making it difficult to use chopsticks, but Shen Nanyuan knew he preferred to eat on his own and didn’t want help. She pretended not to notice and ate herself, slower than usual.

Uncle Li’s cooking was excellent, and Shen Nanyuan loved it—once she started, she couldn’t stop. Amidst her busy meal, she glanced up at Xiao Yan, seeing the bland food before him, and couldn’t help but frown.

She poured him a cup of tea, dipped a piece of meat in it, and gently placed it in his bowl. As he looked up in astonishment, she smiled, “Dipped in tea, it tastes better than yours. Try it to whet your appetite; you seem thinner lately. You should eat more and regain your strength.”

She sounded almost like a concerned mother.

Xiao Yan lowered his eyes and obediently picked up the meat, eating it.

She liked spicy food, and even after dipping it in tea, there was a hint of heat—much tastier than what he had.

“Well? Does it whet your appetite?”

“Yes,” he replied softly. “It does.”

“Would you like some more?”

Xiao Yan looked up, the corners of his lips curving gently, making him resemble a harmless big dog. “Alright.”

Shen Nanyuan dipped another piece in tea and placed it before him, thinking how nice it would be if he were always like this.

But, alas, this man was destined to become emperor.

Standing above all, gazing down on the world—so different from the man before her now.

Once he was restored to his rightful place, his true nature would surely emerge, and this gentle facade would be cast aside—a mask worn for survival.

Perhaps her gaze was too wistful, for Xiao Yan paused with his chopsticks, then looked over, puzzled. “Miss?”

“Ah,” Shen Nanyuan snapped back to herself and continued, smiling as she placed food in his bowl, “Eat slowly, don’t rush.”

After supper, she retired to her chambers, telling Qingrui to rest early. Once everything outside was quiet, she slipped on a cloak, cautiously opened the door, and went out.

The courtyard was empty, with only the occasional servant passing by. She hid in the shadows, waiting until they were far gone before emerging. Lanterns glowed on either side; it was chilly, so she wrapped herself tighter in the cloak, avoiding the servants, and made her way to the side room. Ensuring no one was around, she knocked lightly.

The candle inside had long been extinguished. She worried Xiao Yan might have fallen asleep, but was relieved when she heard the door open.

“Close the door and follow me.”

Shen Nanyuan beckoned Xiao Yan, leading him out of the Shining Spring Courtyard and into the woodshed. “Quick, look around—there should be a ladder.”