Chapter Sixty-Four: Young Lord, Please Return

Recently, Liu Yuli has been troubled by an annoying matter. He used to mock Jun Ci about his betrothal, often boasting in front of him about the freedom and ease of being single, pitying Jun Ci for being bound by an engagement. Yet unexpectedly, not long ago, his father told him that the Liu family and the Gao family had once arranged a marriage contract. The two families had little interaction afterward, so the matter was never brought up. But lately, their visits grew frequent, and when the engagement was mentioned, both sides readily agreed, only then informing him.

Liu Yuli felt as if his head might explode. He was accustomed to a carefree, unrestrained life; suddenly being told of a betrothal, he simply could not accept it. He knew the third Miss Gao—she was indeed attractive and had a good temperament—but he simply did not want this, and dislike was just dislike. Now, he finally understood how Jun Ci must have felt back then.

Miss Gao herself wanted nothing to do with this marriage contract either. When he saw her a few days ago, she even threw a few sharp words his way, making the situation all the more vexing.

He sighed softly, pinching the bridge of his nose, “I never thought such a thing would happen to me.”

Tonight, he ventured out for some peace of mind; he had been cooped up at home for days and only today felt inclined to go out.

Jun Ci’s voice was calm, “I’ve heard the third Miss Gao is a decent person, educated and well-mannered. If you treat her kindly, perhaps after spending some time together, your feelings might change.”

“Her?” Liu Yuli’s face was filled with disbelief. “Educated and well-mannered? She has nothing to do with those words! My feelings will never change!”

As he finished speaking and turned his head, his gaze met a pair of eyes not far away. Both their expressions changed instantly, and they looked away in mutual distaste. Gao Xueluo, who had been in a good mood, now irritably pulled Shen Nanyuan away.

Shen Nanyuan was puzzled, “What’s wrong?”

“I just saw someone extremely annoying.”

Hearing this, she looked back in confusion, caught sight of Jun Ci, and immediately nodded in agreement, “He is indeed rather annoying.”

Gao Xueluo strode forward restlessly, feeling as if a breath was stuck in her chest, unable to let it go. At last, she sighed deeply, “Yuanyuan, I too have a marriage contract now.”

Shen Nanyuan turned to her in astonishment, “With whom?”

“Liu Yuli.” In the original book, Gao Xueluo wasn’t an important character—she was even more marginal than the protagonist. After Shen Nanyuan’s departure later in the story, she never appeared again. Now, suddenly, a marriage contract had been added to her life...

Is this a blessing or a curse? When they visited Puyue Temple earlier, Shen Sinian became a variable and joined the outing. Now, Gao Xueluo’s engagement also became an unpredictable factor, stirring a faint anxiety in Shen Nanyuan’s heart.

It seemed that many things were not following the original plot anymore.

She knew this story well, so the appearance of unexpected events unsettled her greatly.

Gao Xueluo, seeing Shen Nanyuan’s shocked expression, was almost in tears, “You’re speechless too, aren’t you? Imagine how shocked I was when I first learned about it!”

“I haven’t been out for days, and the moment I leave the mansion I run into her,” Liu Yuli complained, pulling at Jun Ci. “Let’s not walk with them—let’s head back.”

“...” Jun Ci paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the figure ahead, but his steps did not falter. “Why are you so agitated with her?”

“I’m not agitated with her,” Liu Yuli opened his mouth as if to say something, then compromised after a moment, “Fine, acting this way only makes me seem petty. I’m nothing like her.”

Jun Ci responded with a careless hum, walking with him through the crowd, following behind Shen Nanyuan. Yet his eyes unconsciously lingered on the bodyguard at her side, a peculiar feeling rising within him.

That bodyguard’s gaze...was exceedingly hostile. There was an edge to it that made Jun Ci feel a chill run down his spine.

He had seen this bodyguard by Shen Nanyuan’s side before, at that time closely following behind her. Now, only a short time had passed, and though he looked the same, something felt different—Jun Ci could sense that the man’s presence had changed.

Jun Ci furrowed his brow slightly.

Shen Nanyuan silently glanced behind her at the two figures walking not far behind, her expression remained calm as she spoke softly.

“Master Liu is indeed handsome.”

It must be said, standing beside Jun Ci, he wasn’t at all overshadowed.

“What’s the use of good looks?” Gao Xueluo snorted lightly. “I don’t like him.”

But there was nothing to be done now; she could not defy her parents’ wishes, and only dared to speak so candidly before Shen Nanyuan.

The original book briefly described Liu Yuli: he was upright and decent, unwilling to enter officialdom, so he went into business instead. His ventures flourished, amassing wealth, yet he remained neither arrogant nor impatient. Although he and Jun Ci were on good terms, if Gao Xueluo ended up with him, Shen Nanyuan would feel reassured.

This was not something Shen Nanyuan could resolve, so she simply took Gao Xueluo to buy some treats and stroll around, soothing her restless mood.

There was no curfew during the Lantern Festival, but neither Shen Nanyuan nor Gao Xueluo lingered late outside. After a while, they parted ways and returned to their respective homes.

As Shen Nanyuan walked, she suddenly turned and sighed, her gaze serene as she looked at the figure not far away, her tone tinged with displeasure, “Master Jun, the Jun residence isn’t in this direction, is it?”

Jun Ci abruptly halted, his hand clenched tightly inside his sleeve, a trace of discomfort flickering across his face.

“...I just...wanted to see you safely to the Duke of Zhen’s mansion. Otherwise, I’d worry.”

“No need,” Shen Nanyuan replied, “I have guards to protect me, and besides, there’s no connection between us. If others see us together, it would be inappropriate.”

Her expression was half a smile, half a knife, slicing deep into Jun Ci’s heart, the sudden pain making his breath catch.

“Shen Nanyuan.”

Those three words cut through the crisp evening air, spoken aloud after long silence, his hand clenching ever tighter.

“We grew up together. I mean no harm. I just fear you might encounter someone like the Second Prince again, as you did last time.”

“Then thank you, Master Jun,” Shen Nanyuan’s gaze remained tranquil. “But I have someone to protect me. I was grateful last time, and I thank you again today. I won’t forget that I owe you a favor. Please return home.”

Jun Ci stood rooted, staring at her, lost in thought. Shen Nanyuan pursed her lips, frowned as she glanced over his face, sensing a pallor to his expression.