Chapter 65: For My Beauty

He had seen through it long ago. Who knew what sudden madness had possessed him? Yet, seeing his pallor, the harsh words that had been on Shen Nanyuan’s lips were left unsaid. She turned away and walked off at a brisk pace.

Her retreating figure seemed anxious to escape him. Her jet-black hair fluttered in the cold wind, reflecting the crimson candlelight nearby, which made Jun Ci’s heart feel hollow and aching.

His vision blurred for a moment.

A face surfaced in his mind, bright with laughter, eyes sparkling more brilliantly than the stars in the night sky.

“Brother Jun—”

Sweet and coy, clear and melodious.

“Young master? Shall we return?” A cautious voice sounded at his ear. The vision dissolved, leaving only Shen Nanyuan’s silhouette growing more distant.

A dull pain pressed at his chest.

It had been this way for as long as he could remember; just the sight of her brought such feelings. Time had done nothing to lessen them.

He lowered his gaze and answered quietly, discomfort spreading through him, making every inch of his body uneasy.

A cold wind swept Shen Nanyuan’s hair into the air. She tugged lightly at her cloak, looking at the distant Duke Protector’s estate with exhaustion and weariness, stifling a yawn.

Xiao Yan’s expression darkened, his eyes black as ink, edged with a chill and hostility. “Miss.”

Shen Nanyuan responded lazily, “Hm?”

“It seems Young Master Jun has ulterior motives regarding you.”

He had noticed it long ago; the way Jun Ci looked at her wasn’t right.

Shen Nanyuan nodded slightly. “He seems to be taken with my looks.”

Her tone was oddly serious, almost earnest.

Qing Ruo couldn’t help but laugh aloud. Shen Nanyuan heard and mumbled, “What’s so funny? Am I wrong?”

“No, miss, you’re absolutely right. Who in the capital doesn’t know of your beauty?”

Satisfied, Shen Nanyuan nodded and gave a light snort.

“So now he thinks I’m beautiful? Too late. I have no intention of paying him any more mind. Let him regret it as he should.”

Her tone was laced with a haughty, endearing pride.

Xiao Yan hesitated at her demeanor, but his brows remained knit, unease gnawing at him despite her words.

In the past, her feelings for Jun Ci had been no secret—everyone in the capital knew. Yet now, for some reason, Jun Ci was suddenly attentive, and each time Xiao Yan saw him, he felt a growing sense of disquiet.

He glanced back at Jun Ci, who still stood where they had parted, his gaze growing darker, full of warning.

Jun Ci must have noticed, for his own brows furrowed.

“Come on, let’s go rest!” Shen Nanyuan’s voice was clear and bright. Xiao Yan withdrew his gaze.

“All right.”

——

It was the third month of spring, and one victory after another was reported. The emperor was elated and, in a rare exception, conferred upon General Protector Shen’s daughter, Shen Nanyuan, the title of County Princess with the honorific Yong’an.

After Shen Nanyuan and her family had knelt in thanks and accepted the imperial edict, she was left gaping at the array of rare treasures delivered from the palace—chests and chests of them, the likes of which she had never seen before.

Madam Shen gently nudged her hand, her expression uncharacteristically stern. “Now that you have been granted the title of County Princess, you must be more mindful of your words and actions. Do you understand?”

Shen Nanyuan nodded obediently. “I understand, Mother.”

She had never expected to be made a County Princess—a privilege not even the heroine of the original novel received. That such favor should fall upon her left Shen Nanyuan at a loss.

Especially now, when it seemed the emperor valued the Duke Protector’s household even more than in the book. This gave her a newfound confidence, hope rising in her heart that the calamity looming over the family might yet be avoided.

The eunuchs delivering the edict smiled, “Congratulations, Princess Yong’an. Please accompany us to the palace; His Majesty wishes to see you.”

Shen Nanyuan paused, then nodded. “Very well.”

She cast a nervous glance at Madam Shen, who looked back at her, worry etched across her face. Shen Nanyuan went over and whispered, “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll be careful with my words and actions.”

Shen Sinian was on duty that day and not at home. Shen Nanyuan went alone to the palace, so anxious that her palms were damp with cold sweat.

The carriage moved forward at a stately pace.

Before long, Shen Nanyuan lifted the curtain to look outside. They had already passed through the palace gates. The red walls and yellow tiles loomed with an imposing grandeur, an inexplicable sense of oppression bearing down on her. The palace before her was awe-inspiring.

Unlike the Palace Museum she had visited before transmigrating, this place was heavily guarded. Palace maids and eunuchs hurried by with bowed heads, their silence laced with authority. Shen Nanyuan hardly dared to breathe.

The carriage finally stopped. A eunuch’s sharp voice called from outside, “Princess Yong’an, please disembark and follow me.”

The place where she alighted was still some distance from Guangyang Palace, where the emperor awaited. Shen Nanyuan obediently followed behind the eunuch, careful not to let her gaze wander, yet the resplendent vermilion halls on either side left her speechless with wonder.

Xiao Yan learned that Shen Nanyuan had been summoned to the palace only much later. He had waited for her in Shaohua Courtyard for ages, and upon inquiring, discovered she had gone to the palace.

Even Qing Ruo had not been permitted to accompany her—she had gone alone.

Xiao Yan pressed his lips together, unease growing in him.

Especially with the Second Prince still within the palace…

His gaze swept across Qing Ruo and the others, and when their attention wavered, he slipped into the back courtyard. In a secluded corner few ever visited, he produced a whistle and blew it. Soon, a figure appeared before him.

“Your Highness.”

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes. “The eldest miss of the Shen family entered the palace today. Have someone keep an eye on her. Report to me immediately should anything happen.”

The guard bowed. “Yes, Your Highness.”

——

Shen Nanyuan exhaled in relief as she left Guangyang Palace.

Perhaps it was because of Shen Yi; the emperor had been exceedingly kind, asking only a few questions before dismissing her.

Outside the palace, rows of sword-bearing guards stood with stern faces. Behind them, a eunuch approached, bending low in deference.

“Princess Yong’an, Her Ladyship Consort Zhuang wishes to see you. Please follow me.”

Consort Zhuang.

Shen Nanyuan smiled, her expression unchanged. “Then I must trouble you, sir.”

This was not someone to be trifled with.

Consort Zhuang was the birth mother of the Second Prince and had always sought to place her son on the throne. Yet, when Xiao Yan returned to the palace, her ambitions were thoroughly dashed. Her resentment toward Xiao Yan grew, and she covertly set many snares for him. In the end, after the Second Prince’s downfall, she was confined to the Cold Palace by Xiao Yan, where she remained until her death.

Consort Zhuang had more scenes in the book than Shen Nanyuan herself.

She and Consort Zhuang had never met; why summon her now?

Shen Nanyuan frowned in apprehension.

She sensed nothing good could come of this; perhaps even the Second Prince would be present.

Consort Zhuang resided in Wenhua Palace. From afar, Shen Nanyuan saw a regal and elegant woman seated by a stone table, her gaze sweeping over with innate arrogance.