Chapter Sixty-Nine: Do Not Let Her Be Harmed

She felt a bit overheated as she walked, so she reached to remove her cloak. Xiao Yan watched her movements and frowned subtly, then stepped in front of her and spoke in a calm voice.

"Don't take it off, or you'll catch a chill."

Shen Nanwan looked into his deep, dark eyes and, for reasons she couldn't explain, sensed a certain forcefulness in him. Her hand quietly dropped back to her side. "I'm a little warm."

"Even if you're warm, you can't take it off."

Shen Nanwan pouted silently, obediently leaving the cloak untouched.

She shifted and glanced toward Meng Chuyue, just in time to see her unfasten her own cloak and hand it to her maid. Shen Nanwan's eyes widened, and she pointed in their direction.

"Chuyue took hers off too."

Her round eyes seemed to implore him to intervene. Xiao Yan, uncomprehending, cast a cool glance. "What does that have to do with me?"

Shen Nanwan was momentarily stunned.

Was this really something the male lead would say?

She opened her mouth but couldn't find words.

Moreover, Shen Nanwan felt that since they had left the manor today, Xiao Yan had kept close to her side, as if guarding against something, not leaving her for even a moment. It struck her as odd.

The sky grew steadily darker, but the flower viewers seemed unconcerned, with no intention of departing. Shen Nanwan raised her head, frowning at the gloomy heavens, when suddenly she felt a droplet land on her face.

She touched her cheek. "Chuyue, let's go down the mountain now. I think it's about to rain..."

No sooner had she spoken than rain the size of beans began to fall, growing quickly heavier. The flower viewers below scattered in an instant, running toward Pu Yue Temple in search of shelter.

Shen Nanwan instinctively raised her hand to shield her face as the rain pelted her, cool and heavy. Suddenly, her wrist was seized and a warm hand pulled her, urging her to run toward the mountainside. She had no choice but to follow, until they reached a tiny thatched hut. The hand did not release her.

Behind them, Qing Ruo, Meng Chuyue, and her maid followed close, all dampened by the rain. Shen Nanwan's hair was wet, and Xiao Yan, practiced and unhurried, drew a handkerchief from his chest and lowered his gaze to gently wipe the rain from her face.

Qing Ruo stepped behind her, drying her hair.

Warm fingers brushed Shen Nanwan's face, their softness radiating from each touch, sending tremors through her heart.

Her lashes quivered slightly. She cleared her throat to change the subject. "How did you know there was a thatched hut here?"

It seemed no one had lived here for ages; a hole in the roof let rain fall in, soaking the floor.

"When Miss was viewing flowers, I happened to notice it," he replied, his voice steady and his gaze intent on her face, only withdrawing the handkerchief when he was satisfied no droplets remained.

As he turned, he inadvertently met Meng Chuyue's gaze, then looked away, emotionless.

Meng Chuyue was the prime minister's daughter and knew his identity, which he expected. He didn't care whether she knew who he was, but was quietly concerned she might say something to Shen Nanwan. Thus, since leaving the manor, he had scarcely left her side.

Outside, the rain fell in a persistent drizzle. The group found places to sit, and Shen Nanwan expressed her concern. "I wonder how long this rain will last."

She continued, "But it doesn't matter. My elder brother will surely send someone to find us once he realizes it's raining."

Meng Chuyue nodded slightly, her gaze flickering to Xiao Yan before she lowered her eyes.

She had seen the faint warning in his eyes. Shocked that he could guess what she wanted to tell Shen Nanwan, she dared not act rashly.

Her father's caution toward this man was well known; as an illegitimate daughter, she had even less reason to risk anything.

The atmosphere grew tense and strange, each person lost in their own thoughts.

Only Shen Nanwan, tilting her head toward the torrential rain outside, clicked her tongue. "With this downpour, the peach blossoms will be gone. I wonder if it will affect the fruit."

Qing Ruo replied, "Miss, you needn't worry. You'll have peaches to eat this year, that's certain."

Shen Nanwan responded with a cheerful "oh," turning back with a grin.

She glanced at Meng Chuyue's expression, her smile faltering as she frowned in confusion.

Something felt off today, as if nothing was quite right.

The sky outside remained oppressive, the rain relentless, chill seeping in and making Shen Nanwan shiver.

If they stayed much longer, she'd surely catch cold.

But with the rain so heavy, there was no way to leave. Shen Nanwan huddled together, sniffing, while on the other side, water from the leaky roof gathered into a small stream, slowly pooling and flowing across the floor.

Xiao Yan was about to speak when his gaze darkened and he looked sharply outside, his demeanor turning cold. In the next moment, he grabbed Shen Nanwan's hand, shielding her behind him.

Shen Nanwan was bewildered. Before she could react, several figures dressed in black leapt in from all directions, a cold glint of steel flashing as they rushed at Meng Chuyue.

Luckily, Meng Chuyue reacted quickly, jumping up as the assailant missed. The attackers pressed forward, swords raised.

Qing Ruo and Meng Chuyue's maid screamed in terror. Shen Nanwan, without time to think, slapped Xiao Yan urgently. "Go save her! She can't fight!"

Xiao Yan frowned, noting that the two remaining attackers were focused on Meng Chuyue, paying no attention to them. He barked, "Find somewhere to hide!"

He had brought a sword for emergencies. Moving with swift, fluid grace, he advanced, sword energy radiating. The three black-clad men felt the fierce aura from behind and instantly sidestepped, but the icy edge of his blade swept in, easily knocking away one sword and pulling Meng Chuyue out of their encirclement.

"Go find Shen Nanwan," his voice was cold and sharp. "Run toward Pu Yue Temple. Don't let her get hurt."

In her panic, Meng Chuyue could only obey, turning to find Shen Nanwan huddled in a corner and dragging her outside.

Shen Nanwan stumbled after her, mud splashing on her clothes as the rain poured down in thick sheets, mist blurring the path ahead, making it impossible to see where they were going.