Chapter Sixty-Six: May We Meet Often in Days to Come

Shen Nanyuan walked forward, knelt, and bowed her head in salute.

“Your servant’s daughter pays respects to Lady Zhuang.”

“Rise,” Lady Zhuang’s voice was cool and measured. She raised her eyes, gaze narrowed slightly as she scrutinized Shen Nanyuan’s face for a moment before continuing, “I’ve long heard that the daughter of the General Who Secures the Nation is blessed with a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms; now that I see you, the rumors are true.”

She beckoned, “Come closer and let me take a better look.”

Shen Nanyuan walked over, head lowered, feeling slightly uncomfortable beneath her scrutiny.

“The General Who Secures the Nation is victorious on the battlefield, and upon hearing that His Majesty had summoned you, I wished to see for myself what manner of beauty his daughter possesses. County Princess Yong’an, do you mind that I’ve called you here so suddenly?”

Shen Nanyuan hurriedly replied, “Your servant’s daughter would not dare; it is my good fortune to be granted an audience with Lady Zhuang.”

Lady Zhuang was a peculiar person.

She seemed to deliberately present herself as gentle and kind, but that was not her true nature, making Shen Nanyuan feel uneasy.

Lady Zhuang was satisfied with her answer. “A seat for her.”

“Thank you, Lady Zhuang.”

Shen Nanyuan knelt again in gratitude, then sat uneasily in the chair beside Lady Zhuang.

She had certainly not been summoned here merely to be seen.

A palace maid placed a cup of hot tea before Shen Nanyuan. Lady Zhuang smiled, “With such beauty, I imagine many noble sons in the capital are taken with you. Now that you are of age, have any of them caught your eye?”

Her gaze sharpened slightly, though veiled beneath a gentle exterior, Shen Nanyuan could see it clearly.

“Replying to Lady Zhuang, your servant’s daughter only wishes to spend more time with her parents for now. I have no other intentions, nor anyone whom I favor.”

Lady Zhuang was pleased with this answer, but at the same time, not entirely satisfied.

She nodded slightly, lifted her teacup and drank in silence, the air around her growing colder. After a moment, she continued, “You are truly filial, County Princess Yong’an. No wonder the General Who Secures the Nation dotes upon you so.”

Her tone carried an odd undercurrent.

By chance, Shen Si Nian was on duty today and unable to accompany her into the palace. If he were here, she would have been more confident, not so anxious as she was now, alone in the imperial palace.

Moreover, since she transmigrated into the novel, most of those she faced had lower status than herself; today was truly unsettling.

At that moment, footsteps sounded. Someone approached, and before Shen Nanyuan could look up, a voice, unfamiliar yet somehow familiar, reached her ears.

“Mother.”

Shen Nanyuan: ...

She knew he would come.

She rose and bowed. “Your servant’s daughter greets Your Highness.”

Gu Shengyu smiled gently and stepped forward to help her up. “County Princess Yong’an, no need for such formalities. Please sit.”

Shen Nanyuan calmly withdrew her wrist from his grasp and sat, head lowered, in her chair. With the Second Prince present, the atmosphere, previously chilly, warmed somewhat. Lady Zhuang asked, “Shengyu, are you acquainted with County Princess Yong’an?”

“We have met several times, Mother. Last time, at the royal hunt, I also saw the County Princess.”

Shen Nanyuan lowered her head with a faint smile.

She could barely resist rolling her eyes.

Mother and son, putting on a performance.

There was no way Lady Zhuang didn’t know whether she and her son had met.

“So it seems the two of you are quite fated,” Lady Zhuang said. “You are close in age; you should spend more time together. Such ties will bring the royal family and the General’s household closer.”

Gu Shengyu replied with a smile, “Yes.”

Lady Zhuang’s gaze swept over Shen Nanyuan’s face, the pressure palpable. Shen Nanyuan pressed her lips and lowered her eyes. “Yes.”

She understood Lady Zhuang’s meaning.

This was an attempt to match her with the Second Prince, securing the General’s support for his future ascension to the throne.

Now, with no crown prince designated, every prince harbored ambitions. Even though His Majesty was in good health, behind closed doors, the princes made many moves. Yet Lady Zhuang dared openly summon her to Guangyang Palace…

Guangyang Palace was no ordinary place.

Could it be that even His Majesty wished to match her with the Second Prince?

That thought sent a chill down Shen Nanyuan’s back.

She hoped not, hoped she was overthinking.

Lady Zhuang waved her hand, and a palace maid stepped forward holding a wooden box, which looked oddly familiar.

“This is a gift from me to the County Princess.”

The box was opened. Shen Nanyuan saw what lay within and couldn’t help but twitch her lips.

Wasn’t this the luminous pearl Gu Shengyu had given her at the royal hunt, which she had refused?

Now, through Lady Zhuang’s hand, it was presented to her once more, as if to remind her that, no matter what, this pearl would always find its way to her, and even if she disliked it, there was no escape.

Shen Nanyuan raised her eyes slightly, meeting the gaze of the Second Prince—dark, deep, and inexplicably sinister.

She clenched her hands unconsciously.

By the time she returned to the General’s residence, it was already late. Exhausted, she entered the Shaohua Courtyard. Qingrui hurried over to take the wooden box from her hands.

“Miss, was your visit to the palace smooth today?”

“Mm.” Shen Nanyuan nodded slightly. “More or less.”

“This box...”

“It was bestowed by Lady Zhuang,” she replied. “The luminous pearl.”

Qingrui’s mouth fell open in surprise. “Lady Zhuang? Miss, you met more than just His Majesty in the palace?”

“Not just His Majesty.” Shen Nanyuan’s mouth twisted. “I also met the Second Prince.”

Xiao Yan had already heard the palace news, knew whom she had seen and what she had done. His gaze fell on her weary face, his eyes dark and now tinged with hostility.

He had planned to wait a little longer before entering the palace, but now, he would have to go sooner.

Once Shen Yi returned victorious, he would go back. With Shen Yi in the General’s household, he could at least be at ease.

Shen Nanyuan said, “Put the luminous pearl in the storeroom.”

She turned slightly, seeing Xiao Yan walking toward her. The fatigue in her eyes faded, and a soft smile appeared on her lips.

“Xiao Yan.”

Hearing his name from her lips was especially pleasant, melodious and sweet, sweeter than candied fruit. The hostility in his gaze dissipated as he said gently, “Miss.”

He calmly asked, “Did you encounter any trouble in the palace today?”

They walked together, and Shen Nanyuan shook her head at his words. “No, the palace is well guarded. What trouble could there be?”

“That’s good.”

Xiao Yan’s gaze was deep, but he said no more.

If she did not speak of certain things, then he could not ask.