Chapter Forty-Five: I Must Not Lose My Temper

Shen Sinian glanced sideways at her, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.
“You only act like this when you need something from me. Normally, you barely pay me any attention.”
“That’s not true,” Shen Nanyuan replied affectionately, her tone playful. “Besides, I know even if I didn’t ask, you’d help me anyway, big brother.”
Since Shen Yi would be accompanying the emperor, he couldn’t always stay by Shen Nanyuan’s side. He would certainly have spoken to Shen Sinian, instructing him to watch over her at all times.
The royal hunt would last three days—she fervently hoped nothing would go wrong.
Shen Sinian pondered briefly, and in the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Xiao Yan approaching from the side room. “Since you’re going, take Xiao Yan with you. I can teach him a few things while we’re there, and lately his martial skills have improved greatly. He can protect you.”
“That’s not necessary,” Shen Nanyuan objected. “His old illness flared up just recently. If he falls ill again while we’re out there, who would care about the life of a servant in such a place?”
“But he’s been practicing martial arts lately and hasn’t had any problems. You shouldn’t worry too much.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan lifted his gentle gaze, calm and composed. “Miss, I am quite well now.”
He seemed already aware of the situation. “I would like to go.”
Shen Nanyuan frowned.
She truly didn’t want Xiao Yan to go—partly for his health, and partly because the place would be crawling with members of the imperial family…
Shen Sinian raised a brow. “Weren’t you the one who said to let him decide for himself? Now that he wants to go, don’t go back on your word.”
…She really was about to do just that.
Shen Nanyuan coughed lightly and hurried into the house, pretending not to hear her brother, muttering, “I need to check if everything’s been packed properly.”
She walked quickly, as if afraid they might catch up to her.
Xiao Yan pressed his lips together, looking a little crestfallen.
Hearing the second prince himself was coming to the Duke’s estate, it meant her earlier excuses wouldn’t work. She would have to go. He wanted to be by her side, to watch over her—only then could he feel at ease.
Shen Sinian patted Xiao Yan’s shoulder meaningfully, his grin brilliant.
“Go pack your things.”
Xiao Yan looked up in surprise.
Shen Sinian glanced cautiously in Shen Nanyuan’s direction and lowered his voice, “If she won’t take you, I will.”
——

Shen Nanyuan climbed into the carriage and lifted the curtain for a glance outside, but did not spot Xiao Yan’s figure.
Given his temperament, he probably wouldn’t come to see her off at the gate anyway.
With Steward Li and Jinzhu remaining in Shaohua Courtyard, she felt reassured.
Letting the curtain fall, Shen Nanyuan suddenly realized she truly was taking care of this young servant as if she were his mother.
Shen Sinian was riding in the same carriage; the second prince and Shen Yi shared another, and it was obvious he had no desire to join them.
As the carriage rolled forward, Shen Sinian stole a look at his sister’s expression, hesitated, then spoke.
“There’s something I’ve kept from you,” he announced, looking terribly earnest. “You must promise to forgive me and not be angry.”
Shen Nanyuan, knowing she’d have to rely on him during these three days of the royal hunt, didn’t dwell on it. “If you kept something from me, I’m sure it was for my own good. Don’t worry, I forgive you.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “Really.”
“Good.” Shen Sinian grinned. “Now I’m at ease.”
But after all that, he still didn’t say what he’d kept from her. Shen Nanyuan frowned in curiosity. “Aren’t you going to tell me?”
“You’ll find out when we arrive.” Shen Sinian leaned back against the wall of the carriage, adopting a solemn tone. “When have I ever done anything to harm you?”
Seeing he wasn’t going to elaborate, Shen Nanyuan didn’t press. He would tell her eventually.
She wasn’t in any rush.
The royal hunt was held on the outskirts of the capital, on a plain bordering a forest. The forest was the hunting ground, and before their arrival, camps had already been set up and the area was heavily guarded.
As soon as Gu Shengyu alighted from his carriage, he strode over. Before Shen Sinian could do anything, the second prince extended his hand to Shen Nanyuan with a smile. “Miss Shen, please be careful.”
Shen Nanyuan was momentarily speechless.
She couldn’t very well refuse, so she lightly placed her hand on the prince’s wrist to disembark, lowering her eyes afterward. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Shen Yi spoke in a low voice. “Would Your Highness care to accompany me to see His Majesty?”
“Of course,” Gu Shengyu withdrew his hand, “I’ll visit Miss Shen later.”
Shen Nanyuan forced a smile, praying fervently that he wouldn’t come!
He was already exhausting enough!

Nearby, several palace attendants and eunuchs bowed with lowered voices, “Captain Shen, Miss Shen, please follow me. I’ll show you to your quarters.”
Here, everyone stayed in large, pitched tents. Even noblewomen and aristocrats had to lodge in them. In Shen Nanyuan’s memory, camping meant cramped little tents, but upon seeing the arrangements, she realized her imagination had been far too limited.
The tents were spacious, furnished with beds and a variety of tables and chairs. Though not as comfortable as a proper house, everything necessary was there.
Shen Sinian caught her look of surprise and laughed, “Why that expression? You’ve been here before, you know. You act like it’s your first time.”
Shen Nanyuan quickly composed herself. “Big brother, are you and Father staying next door?”
“Of course,” Shen Sinian replied. “Do you want to go out for a stroll with me, or would you rather rest here?”
“Let’s go out,” she decided.
He nodded with a smile. “Alright, but there’s someone you should meet first.”
No sooner had he spoken than he called out toward the tent entrance, “Come in!”
Shen Nanyuan was full of questions, but when she saw who entered, her mind went blank with a sudden rush, almost as if it might explode.
The newcomer approached anxiously, head lowered. “Miss.”
She didn’t need to guess who had brought him.
Shen Nanyuan shot Shen Sinian a furious glare, but he only looked innocent. “You promised on the carriage you wouldn’t get angry.”
So this was his trick!
No wonder she hadn’t seen Xiao Yan when they set out—he’d already been hidden away by her brother.
Just brilliant.
Shen Nanyuan forced a stiff smile, not in the mood to scold Shen Sinian. She turned to Xiao Yan, her tone full of warning. “Didn’t I tell you not to come? Why can’t you ever listen? You are to stay here and not go anywhere, do you hear?”
Just thinking about him wandering among all these people from the imperial court made her heart race with anxiety.
Though she did wish he could return to the palace soon, now was certainly not the right time.
Shen Sinian chimed in, “Since he’s already here, let him at least see the sights! The scenery here is beautiful—it’d be a wasted trip otherwise.”
Shen Nanyuan glanced outside at the bright daylight. “It looks the same at night.”