Chapter 50: I Need to Speak With You

After this exchange, Meng Chuyue finally realized she had lost her composure. She quickly withdrew her gaze, lowered her eyes in a feigned gesture, and took a sip of tea before asking softly, “What were you discussing?”

“Oh,” Shen Nanyuan smiled, “we were saying that since it’s your first time here, you probably don’t know there are several persimmon trees nearby. The fruit is very sweet. Later, I’ll ask my elder brother to pick one for you to try.”

“Wonderful!”

Meng Chuyue’s smile deepened in her eyes and brows. “Thank you, Brother Shen.”

Shen Sinian shook his head at her words. “There’s no need for thanks.”

Their eyes met unexpectedly. Meng Chuyue hurriedly lowered her head in a fluster, taking another sip of hot tea.

Gao Xueluo saw everything clearly and suddenly slapped the table, startling Shen Nanyuan. Her eyes widened in surprise. “What’s wrong?”

What’s wrong? Someone wants to become your sister-in-law!

But meeting Meng Chuyue’s equally puzzled gaze, Gao Xueluo awkwardly shook her head. “Nothing, nothing.”

Forget it. She’d let Shen Nanyuan discover this herself in the future.

She was in no mood to admit anything now.

Though nothing much happened, the group enjoyed a leisurely and carefree atmosphere. Compared to those hunting in the woods, eager to outdo each other, they seemed to be here for pleasure, especially Shen Nanyuan, whose mood was particularly light.

She had expected to meet the Second Prince at this royal hunt.

But the entire day had passed, and he hadn’t appeared, which made her feel especially comfortable.

It would be best if he never appeared before her again!

But alas, this was only her wish. Shen Nanyuan stood obediently beside Shen Sinian, her face fixed in a false smile, silently lamenting how the Second Prince never failed to unsettle her, not even for a moment.

Even Gao Xueluo and Meng Chuyue instantly sobered up, standing behind Shen Sinian, their earlier ease and friendly banter vanished.

Gu Shengyu’s expression was calm, his voice gentle. “You all seem to be enjoying yourselves greatly. It appears my arrival is ill-timed.”

Shen Sinian lowered his head slightly. “Your Highness overestimates us. May I ask what brings you here?”

Though the Second Prince was nobility, Shen Sinian’s manner remained respectful but neither servile nor overbearing, showing proper restraint. “We did not expect Your Highness to trouble yourself with a personal visit.”

By then, dusk had settled. The sky was awash with brilliant clouds, a golden halo enveloping Shen Nanyuan. Her eyes were cast down, her beauty reminiscent of a figure from a painting, enough to make hearts tremble.

Gu Shengyu’s gaze deepened. He raised his hand, and a guard behind him stepped forward, carrying something furry and gray in his arms.

“While hunting, I came across a wild rabbit. One ear is gray, the other white—quite unusual. I thought Miss Shen might like it, so I ordered it brought here.”

His tone was exceedingly gentle. “Does Miss Shen like it?”

That attitude...

Gao Xueluo and Meng Chuyue exchanged a knowing glance.

He obviously liked Shen Nanyuan.

Behind the crowd, Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, evident hostility in his expression.

Shen Sinian stepped in front of his sister. “Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness. However, Yuanyuan has never liked living creatures since childhood. She might not care for it well, and would only disappoint your generosity.”

“In that case,” Gu Shengyu replied with a faint smile, though his tone suddenly carried an undercurrent of authority, “is that so, Miss Shen?”

He continued, “Is it that you dislike living creatures, or that you dislike receiving gifts from me?”

Shen Sinian’s guardedness toward the Second Prince suggested longstanding displeasure, though he could not vent it for Shen Nanyuan’s sake, so he could only issue this warning.

He was a prince; never before had he been treated thus.

Meng Chuyue and Gao Xueluo grew anxious for Shen Nanyuan. Shen Sinian was about to intervene again when he felt his sleeve tugged. Shen Nanyuan stepped out from behind him, half shielding him.

Her features were calm, yet breathtakingly beautiful.

“Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness,” she said, “but as my brother mentioned, I have never cared for living creatures since childhood. Your Highness is wise and broad-minded; surely you would not be angered by such a trivial matter.”

“Besides...” Her gaze fell on the wild rabbit in the guard’s arms. “This rabbit grew up in the wild, unrestrained and accustomed to freedom. To keep it caged would surely make it unhappy. Your Highness is compassionate—perhaps you might let it return to the wild.”

Gu Shengyu lifted his eyes, narrowing them slightly as his gaze settled upon Shen Nanyuan, brooding.

Everyone could sense the deeper meaning in her words, even Gao Xueluo.

Suddenly, the atmosphere chilled. Shen Nanyuan lowered her head, maintaining the same composed, unyielding demeanor as Shen Sinian.

Like a fierce wave, the blow struck Xiao Yan’s heart, leaving him breathless.

Gu Shengyu’s expression shifted, but he smiled as though unaffected by her words. “Miss Shen may not care for living creatures, but I have loved them since childhood. The rabbit may be wild, but I have ways to make it accustomed to captivity. Since Miss Shen does not wish to keep it, I shall do so myself.”

He paused, then added, “I will remember Miss Shen’s preferences.”

“I have other matters to attend to; I shall visit Miss Shen again later.”

Though Shen Nanyuan was unwilling, she nonetheless knelt and saluted Gu Shengyu. Meng Chuyue frowned as she approached, her tone laced with concern.

“Yuanyuan, the Second Prince is no ordinary man. What will you do?”

Her worried tone made Shen Nanyuan smile. “It's nothing. Even if he is a prince, my father will never simply submit to him. Don’t worry, the Second Prince cannot do much about this.”

Meng Chuyue nodded, reassured.

Indeed, with General Shen present, there was little to worry about.

Shen Sinian sighed. “Next time you encounter such a situation, leave it to your brother. Don’t take the lead, understand?”

He knew Shen Nanyuan was protecting him, but in such matters, he preferred her to stay behind him.

Shen Nanyuan smiled and nodded. “I understand.”

News of the incident quickly reached Shen Yi’s ears. After returning from the Emperor’s side, he hastened to see his precious daughter. Seeing she was safe and unshaken, he relaxed.

He was furious and wanted to confront the Second Prince, but Shen Nanyuan managed to dissuade him.

Later, servants brought over all the game hunted that day, now cooked into dishes, their aroma rich and inviting. Once they had finished eating, it was finally Xiao Yan and the other servants’ turn.

After his meal, Xiao Yan was heading toward Shen Nanyuan’s tent when someone suddenly blocked his path. The man looked like a guard, yet treated him with unusual respect.

“My master wishes to see you.”