The courtyard was unusually peaceful that afternoon.
The summer breeze passed gently through the branches of the flowering tree standing in the middle of the courtyard, causing the blossoms to sway from side to side.
Every now and then, a few petals loosened from the branches and drifted lazily through the air before landing on the stone pathway, the wooden tables, and the reclining chair beneath the tree.
One particular flower landed softly on the book covering Shen Xuan’s face.
She did not move.
She had fallen asleep.
The book had originally been held in her hands, but somewhere along the way, sleep had won the battle.
The book had slipped upward and now rested over her face, shielding her eyes from the afternoon sunlight.
Her breathing was slow and even.
Xiao Mei and Xiao Cao stood nearby.
Neither dared disturb her.
They had served Shen Xuan for many years and had long since learned one important rule.
When their young miss was sleeping comfortably, unless the sky was falling, she was not to be disturbed.
Xiao Cao quietly approached a strange wooden device positioned beside the reclining chair.
It was a rather peculiar contraption.
The lower compartment had been packed with ice.
Once the lever on the side was pulled, air would pass through the chilled compartment and produce a cool breeze.
Xiao Cao gently pulled the lever.
A refreshing current of cool air immediately brushed against Shen Xuan’s face.
The petals resting on her book trembled slightly.
Shen Xuan remained asleep.
The first time she had seen the contraption, she had nearly jumped out of her chair.
"Isn’t this basically an ancient replica of an air conditioner?"
"Wait..."
"Could someone else have transmigrated into this world too?"
That thought had occupied her mind for several days.
She had even carefully inspected the device from every angle.
Unfortunately, she had found no clues about its creator.
She had eventually decided that it was none of her business.
After all...
She was a salted fish.
Salted fish did not investigate mysterious inventions.
They simply enjoyed them.
Nearby, Xiao Mei carefully closed the wooden cover of a shallow porcelain container.
Inside were several pieces of chilled fruit resting among chunks of ice.
The container itself was a ingenious invention Shen Xuan had introduced to the household after casually explaining the concept to the craftsmen.
It was nothing particularly complicated.
Just a well-insulated box that could keep food cool.
The Shen family had quickly become fond of it during the summer months.
Xiao Mei lifted the tray containing Shen Xuan’s tea.
She moved quietly, careful not to make even the slightest sound.
The two maids exchanged a glance.
Their young miss looked so peaceful.
Neither wanted to be responsible for waking her.
Suddenly—
"Second Aunt!"
A childish voice rang across the courtyard.
Xiao Mei’s shoulders stiffened.
Xiao Cao closed her eyes for a moment.
Both women exchanged a helpless look.
The sound of quick footsteps followed.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
A little boy came running into the courtyard.
He was four years old, with soft black hair tied into a tiny topknot and bright, lively eyes.
His little cheeks were slightly flushed from running.
His clothes were neat and expensive, clearly made from fine material, but the way he ran around made it difficult to believe that he was the young master of one of the most distinguished families in the kingdom.
He was Shen Yichen.
The son of Shen Zhiqian and Mo Yunxui.
And, in Shen Xuan’s opinion...
A little troublemaker.
Xiao Mei quietly stepped aside.
Xiao Cao followed.
Neither attempted to stop him.
They knew better.
Shen Yichen was one of the few people in the entire residence who could disturb Shen Xuan’s peace without suffering the consequences.
The little boy spotted the figure beneath the flowering tree.
His eyes immediately lit up.
"Second Aunt!"
He ran faster.
Shen Xuan was still asleep.
The book remained over her face.
Shen Yichen’s eyes sparkled mischievously.
He lowered his body.
Then—
He jumped.
"Second Aunt!"
Shen Xuan’s eyes flew open at the last moment.
Her years of martial arts training weren’t particularly impressive, but her instincts were good enough to react.
She immediately caught the little boy before he could land on her.
The book slipped from her face.
Shen Xuan stared at the giggling child in her arms.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then she narrowed her eyes playfully.
"Someone is being naughty."
Shen Yichen laughed.
"Second Aunt!"
"You scared me."
"I didn’t!"
"You did."
Shen Xuan lifted him slightly.
"How should we punish naughty children?"
Shen Yichen’s eyes widened.
Before he could answer, Shen Xuan suddenly placed him on the ground.
Then she bent down and picked him up again.
"Second Aunt!"
She spun him around.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The courtyard immediately filled with the boy’s laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Again!"
"Again!"
"No more!"
Shen Xuan finally stopped.
Shen Yichen swayed slightly on his feet, his little face flushed from excitement.
Shen Xuan placed both hands on her waist.
"That’s what you get for being naughty."
Shen Yichen closed his eyes as the world spun around him.
"Second Aunt is bad."
Shen Xuan gasped dramatically.
"I’m bad?"
The little boy opened one eye.
Then he immediately smiled.
"You are beautiful."
Shen Xuan’s expression brightened.
"Good answer."
Shen Yichen giggled.
He stepped closer and took her hand with both of his small hands.
"I’m here to eat lunch with you."
"Oh..."
Shen Xuan looked down at him.
"Thank you, dearest nephew."
The little boy immediately blushed.
Shen Xuan couldn’t help laughing.
She loved teasing him.
The sound of their laughter drifted through the courtyard.
At fourteen years old, Shen Xuan had almost completely lost the round, childish appearance she had possessed when she first transmigrated into this world.
Almost.
When she was around her family, she still behaved like the little Awu they had always known.
She would pout when someone teased her.
She would complain to her grandmother.
She would fight playfully with her brothers.
She would spoil Shen Yichen.
But whenever she stepped outside the Shen Residence...
She was different.
Fourteen years of age had brought a graceful beauty that made people pause whenever she passed.
Her features had become delicate and refined.
Her long black hair flowed like silk down her back.
Her eyes were clear and bright, carrying a softness that made her expression appear naturally gentle.
She had a slender figure and an elegant bearing that came from years of etiquette lessons.
Even her simplest movements seemed graceful.
When she walked through the streets, people instinctively made way.
When she smiled, it was as though spring had arrived early.
And when she spoke...
Her voice was soft and pleasant to the ears.
Mo Yunxui had once jokingly told her that it was fortunate Shen Xuan rarely left the residence.
Otherwise, the Shen family’s doors would probably be destroyed by marriage proposals.
Shen Xuan had laughed at the time.
But later that night, she had stood before her bronze mirror and carefully examined her reflection.
She had touched her cheek lovingly.
"No wonder I’m the heroine."
"The author really gave it their all."
She had admired herself for several moments before remembering something important.
"Wait."
"I’m not the heroine anymore."
"I’m the salted fish."
And with that, she had gone to bed.
"Let’s go eat."
Shen Xuan took Shen Yichen’s little hand.
"Come."
"Okay!"
The two walked toward the dining room.
The servants immediately began setting out the dishes.
The table was soon filled with steaming food.
Shen Yichen sat beside Shen Xuan.
The moment the servants left enough distance between them, the two began whispering.
"What did you do this morning?"
"I played with Grandmother."
"Did you get scolded?"
"No."
"Really?"
"Really."
Shen Yichen leaned closer.
"Actually..."
He whispered something into Shen Xuan’s ear.
Her eyes widened.
Then she burst out laughing.
"You did not!"
"I did!"
"You really did?"
The boy nodded proudly.
The two continued whispering and laughing.
It was a peaceful scene.
Until—
"Awu."
A deep, pleasant voice sounded from the entrance.
Shen Yichen’s laughter immediately stopped.
His little hand instinctively tightened around Shen Xuan’s.
Shen Xuan looked toward the doorway.
A familiar figure stood there.
Zhang Jingyuan.
He was dressed in simple but elegant robes.
There was no excessive embroidery or decoration on his clothing.
Yet somehow, the simplicity only made him appear more imposing.
He was nineteen now.
The youthful softness that had once existed in his features had completely disappeared.
His handsome face had matured.
His posture was straight.
His gaze was calm.
And there was an authority surrounding him that made people instinctively lower their heads in his presence.
He was the Crown Prince of Yin.
The future ruler of the kingdom.
Even when he wasn’t dressed in ceremonial robes, there was something about him that made it impossible to mistake his identity.
The servants immediately bowed.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Zhang Jingyuan gave a slight nod.
His gaze, however, had already fallen upon Shen Xuan.
"Awu."
Shen Xuan smiled.
"Big Brother Jing."
Zhang Jingyuan walked over.
Without hesitation, he pulled out the chair beside Shen Xuan and sat down.
It was so natural that nobody found it strange.
A servant immediately brought another set of bowls and chopsticks.
Shen Yichen, however...
Was not pleased.
His little face darkened.
He looked at Zhang Jingyuan.
Then at Shen Xuan.
Then back at Zhang Jingyuan.
His tiny hand tightened around Shen Xuan’s.
"The big bad wolf has come to steal my Second Aunt."
Shen Xuan almost choked.
She looked down at her nephew.
"Yichen."
The little boy blinked innocently.
"Yes, Second Aunt?"
"Don’t be rude."
"But..."
"No buts."
Shen Yichen reluctantly released her hand.
Zhang Jingyuan watched the exchange quietly.
A faint smile touched the corner of his lips.
Shen Xuan turned toward him.
"He’s the Crown Prince, after all."
"But why is he here again?"
She tilted her head slightly.
Zhang Jingyuan was already looking at her.
Their eyes met.
Shen Xuan blinked.
He didn’t look away.
Instead, he continued staring.
She became uncomfortable.
"Is there something on my face?"
"Hmm."
Zhang Jingyuan answered.
Before Shen Xuan could ask what it was, he leaned slightly closer.
His fingers gently touched her cheek.
He brushed over her face.
Shen Xuan froze.
There was nothing there.
Absolutely nothing.
He simply withdrew his hand.
"Nothing now."
Shen Xuan stared at him.
"Oh..."
"Thank you."
Her voice was filled with bewilderment.
"I asked if there was something on my face!"
"I didn’t ask you to clean it!"
"What kind of answer was that?"
Zhang Jingyuan’s eyes softened.
He had heard every word.
But he said nothing.
Shen Xuan decided to ignore him.
She picked up her chopsticks and selected a piece of meat.
She placed it into Shen Yichen’s bowl.
The little boy’s gloomy expression immediately disappeared.
"Thank you, Second Aunt!"
"Eat."
"Okay!"
Shen Yichen happily began eating.
Shen Xuan also started eating.
Every few moments, she would place another piece of food into the little boy’s bowl.
Shen Yichen ate happily.
Zhang Jingyuan watched them.
For some reason...
His own bowl remained untouched.
After eating for a while, Shen Xuan finally noticed.
She glanced at him.
"Eh?"
Zhang Jingyuan looked at her.
"Why isn’t he eating?"
She frowned slightly.
"Or is the food beneath him?"
Zhang Jingyuan nearly smiled.
Instead, he silently pointed at his bowl.
Shen Xuan stared.
He pointed again.
She tilted her head.
"He wants me to pick food for him?"
Zhang Jingyuan said nothing.
He simply looked at her.
Shen Xuan sighed inwardly.
"Why does he look like a child?"
Reluctantly, she picked up a piece of meat and placed it into his bowl.
"There."
Zhang Jingyuan’s expression softened.
"Thank you, Awu."
Shen Xuan resumed eating.
She didn’t notice the tiny smile that appeared on the Crown Prince’s face.
Lunch ended peacefully.
The servants cleared the table.
Shen Yichen, who had eaten happily, was still sitting beside Shen Xuan when Zhang Jingyuan suddenly spoke.
"Awu."
Shen Xuan looked at him.
"I wish to speak with you."
His tone was different.
There was no teasing.
No softness.
His voice was calm and serious.
Shen Xuan immediately became alert.
She looked at him carefully.
"What do you want to talk to me about, Big Brother Jing?"
Zhang Jingyuan didn’t answer immediately.
His gaze shifted briefly toward Shen Yichen.
The little boy immediately sensed that something was happening.
"I want to stay with Second Aunt."
Shen Xuan smiled.
"Yichen, go play outside for a while."
"But Second Aunt..."
"I’ll play with you later."
"Really?"
"Really."
The boy considered it for a moment.
Then he nodded reluctantly.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Shen Yichen finally climbed down from his chair.
He gave Zhang Jingyuan one suspicious look before walking toward the door.
The servants followed him.
Shen Xuan then looked toward Xiao Mei and Xiao Cao.
"You two wait outside as well."
The two maids exchanged a glance.
"Yes, Young Miss."
They bowed and withdrew.
Soon, the dining room became quiet.
Only Shen Xuan and Zhang Jingyuan remained.
Shen Xuan sat upright.
Her expression was curious.
But somewhere deep inside...
Her instincts were already warning her.
The Crown Prince rarely came to her courtyard simply to eat.
And whenever he used that serious tone...
Something usually followed.
She looked directly at him.
"What do you want to talk to me about, Big Brother Jing?"