Chapter Forty-Eight: Xiao Yan Belongs to the Shaohua Court

Shen Nanyuan felt a bit awkward.

She pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke in a soft, lingering voice.

“...Thank you.”

It didn’t seem quite right to thank him.

After all, she was a young lady!

Xiao Yan lowered his gaze, his grip on the handkerchief unconsciously tightening. “This is what I ought to do.”

Shen Nanyuan fell silent.

She obligingly switched the half-eaten persimmon to her freshly cleaned hand, taking a bite as she did. The atmosphere around them was tinged with awkwardness. As she ate, she pondered, tilting her head to steal a glance at Xiao Yan before continuing, “You seem to have grown a lot taller.”

He used to stand only at her chin; now, he was at least at her shoulder.

He was growing so fast.

Xiao Yan responded with a gentle hum, lifting his eyes slightly. At such close distance, her scent was stronger, and he could even make out the fine down on her cheeks.

“Then eat more, and keep growing!” she encouraged.

Muttering to herself, she added, “Why is it that I eat so much and don’t grow at all?”

Her slender arms and legs gave no indication that she could easily finish two large bowls of rice.

She didn’t gain weight, nor did she grow taller.

Her puzzled look was rather adorable. Xiao Yan glanced at her, a low, pleased chuckle escaping his nose. “Miss, you’re still very young.”

“You’re not much older either,” she retorted.

Xiao Yan replied softly, “I may not be much older, but I am three years older than you.”

Shen Nanyuan frowned. “Hmm?”

She could hardly believe it.

She hadn’t paid much attention to the male lead’s age when reading the story; later, seeing him together with Meng Chuyue, she assumed he was about the same age as her. After crossing over, his slender build made her think he was her peer. Who would have thought he was actually three years her senior?

And yet she’d always called him “little one” in her mind.

Shen Nanyuan gave an awkward laugh. “I see.”

She withdrew her now-clean hand and busied herself with her persimmon in silence.

Unbelievable.

Shen Sinian picked two or three more persimmons and came over, glancing at the two of them. “It’s getting late, let’s head back.”

As they walked, he continued, “Don’t go near the woods tomorrow. That’s where the hunting takes place—blades and arrows know no mercy. Just play nearby. In the morning, I’ll be with Father attending His Majesty, but I’ll come find you in the afternoon.”

“Don’t run off, Xiao Yan will keep an eye on you.”

Shen Nanyuan replied, “...Got it.”

Why did it feel like Shen Sinian was treating Xiao Yan as one of his own?

She pouted and emphasized, “Xiao Yan belongs to Shaohua Court.”

“I know,” Shen Sinian replied nonchalantly.

His attitude made her remark seem entirely unnecessary.

At this, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but smile.

As they continued, Shen Sinian suddenly noticed something amiss. He frowned, looked down, lifted the hem of his robe, and there—two perfect, muddy handprints. Realization dawned; he ground his teeth.

“Shen Nanyuan!”

At his shout, she turned, eyes widening in alarm, then dashed off in a flash.

She was astonishingly quick.

Shen Sinian was speechless.

The following day.

Breakfast was brought by the servants. After finishing, Shen Nanyuan stretched and stepped out of her tent. The sunlight was perfect, laced with a hint of dew, making the air feel remarkably fresh.

The hunt had already begun. Occasionally, the sound of horses’ hooves could be heard in the distance. The game caught would be prepared for the evening meal, and even the servants would get a share.

Each year, whoever caught the most game would receive rare treasures from the emperor as a reward.

Yet, for the young nobles taking part, the reward was often secondary; more important was earning the emperor’s favor.

In previous years, as long as Shen Yi participated, he would always claim the top spot. But lately, he no longer joined, and so the others vied fiercely for first place.

Shen Sinian was something of an exception.

Though a general, he had little interest in hunting, rarely taking part. But Shen Nanyuan believed that if he did compete, he would surely take the prize.

She herself had no interest in the hunt, but she looked forward eagerly to the evening’s feast.

Just then, Xiao Yan emerged from Shen Sinian’s tent nearby. Seeing her, he approached and greeted her in a calm voice, “Miss.”

Shen Nanyuan nodded slightly. “Was it cold sleeping there?”

“No,” he replied softly, “the bedding was very warm.”

Qingrui, worried he might be cold, had requested an extra quilt for him, and Shen Sinian had even joked that he probably slept more comfortably than on a bed.

With Shen Sinian absent in the morning, she dared not wander far for fear of running into the Second Prince. With Xiao Yan at her side, she only strolled around nearby. But on her way back, she noticed someone standing outside her tent.

Shen Nanyuan was rather surprised. She glanced back at Qingrui, not noticing the sudden shadow that crossed Xiao Yan’s eyes.

Perhaps his attendant had alerted him, for Jun Ci looked up abruptly as soon as she appeared.

He clearly meant to wait for her.

Shen Nanyuan was thoroughly puzzled.

Had she done anything recently? Could it be that he felt awkward delivering wedding invitations to Shen Yi and Shen Sinian, so he came to her instead?

If he had business with her, it could only be that.

She stepped forward, poised and courteous. “Young Master Jun.”

She raised her eyes. “Is there something you need?”

Her tone was distant and unfamiliar, as though she had never harbored any affection for him. A dull ache gnawed at Jun Ci’s heart.

He pressed his lips together, hands clenched tightly within his sleeves. Staring at her radiant face, he hesitated briefly. “I heard before that... the Second Prince went to the Duke Protector’s estate. Was it after learning your identity that he went?”

Shen Nanyuan had been prepared to accept a wedding invitation, but his words caught her off guard. She looked up at him in surprise.

Avoiding her gaze, Jun Ci continued, “I guessed that he must have discovered your identity, which is why he went to the estate. So I wanted to ask if that was the case.”

“How should I know what the Second Prince is thinking?” Shen Nanyuan replied coolly. “Thank you for your concern, Young Master Jun.”

“If there is nothing else, I’ll be going in.”

But before she could finish, Jun Ci blurted out, “I’m going to the Lin family to propose marriage.”

So that was it—it was all about this matter in the end.

Shen Nanyuan nodded slightly, waiting for him to continue.

But after a moment, hearing nothing more, she glanced up impatiently. Her clear eyes reflected Jun Ci’s dazed expression. She raised an eyebrow. “...Well?”

Just say it already.

All this hemming and hawing over delivering a wedding invitation to a former fiancée—what was the big deal!

Jun Ci lowered his gaze. “I’ll be going, then.”

Shen Nanyuan watched his rather hasty retreat, her mind full of baffled questions.