Though she didn’t understand why Shen Shouyu had changed their route, as long as they weren’t heading back, Jiang Yin was happy.
Since this wasn’t the only way out of the capital, she decided not to overthink it and instead focused on the roadside stalls and passersby.
She hadn’t paid much attention earlier, but now Jiang Yin noticed that perhaps their attire was too eye-catching—all sorts of gazes followed them along the way, stealing glances at them.
Having been a maid for so long, she found these stares too piercing and began to feel uneasy.
Spotting a shop nearby beckoning customers, she turned her steps and led Shen Shouyu inside.
But upon entering, she realized it was a store selling precious treasures, filled with dazzling items that looked incredibly expensive.
Thinking her money still had more important uses, Jiang Yin dared not linger and turned to leave.
Yet the hand holding hers tightened slightly, pulling her back.
Shen Shouyu’s tone was calm and gentle as she said, “It won’t hurt to look. I have money.”
“…Huh?”
Jiang Yin glanced at the wooden plaque above the door inscribed with “Caixing Pavilion” and asked curiously, “Do you know what this place is?”
Shen Shouyu nodded. “Shangjing has only one shop that scents itself with pinewood.”
“…”
She was truly at a loss for words with these wealthy people.
The owner of Caixing Pavilion seemed to recognize Shen Shouyu. When the two entered, her eyes lit up, and she strode over to greet them. “It’s been a long time! Please, honored guests, come in!”
Shen Shouyu released Jiang Yin’s hand and addressed the owner calmly. “Show her around. If there’s anything she likes, don’t mention the price—just put it on my account.”
“Of course, of course… Quick, serve tea for our honored guests!”
The owner was a middle-aged woman, elegantly dressed with a kind face, showing none of the shrewdness typical of a businessperson.
Seeing Shen Shouyu entrust Jiang Yin to her care, she stepped forward, took Jiang Yin’s hand, and led her inside, speaking warmly and kindly. “You look refined and elegant, miss. I have a few pieces here that I’m sure you’ll love.”
Thinking she could save up a bit more for her journey, Jiang Yin didn’t stand on ceremony. She smiled at the owner and followed her into the inner room to look at the jewelry.
But halfway through selecting pieces, she seized an opportunity to ask the owner, “Sister, do you know where I could rent a carriage nearby?”
The owner carefully set down the jewelry in her hands, looking puzzled. “Why would you need to rent a carriage, miss? The young master outside…”
“I know,” Jiang Yin interrupted, hesitating as she put on a shy demeanor, fidgeting slightly. “I haven’t known the young master for long, but I see how well he treats me. It’s just…”
She sighed softly, reaching up to smooth her hair at the temple before continuing. “It’s just that I have neither beauty nor a wealthy family background. I truly feel unworthy of him… and unable to repay his favor. It weighs heavily on my heart.”
“…”
The owner’s gaze toward Jiang Yin softened with understanding, her expression visibly moved.
Seeing her words were having an effect, Jiang Yin spun her tale further. “Recently, I heard the young master has been facing difficulties and dangers. I thought of going to the Listening Wind Temple outside the city to pray for him and seek a protective charm… But I also know my health is weak, and he wouldn’t want me to exhaust myself, so he wouldn’t allow me to go. That’s why I’ve been thinking of sneaking there on my own…”
To lend credibility to her story, she coughed heavily a few times and, as if completely unintentionally, revealed her thin, bony wrist before covering her face with a sigh.
Sure enough, after that whole spiel, the shopkeeper relented: “Your sincerity is truly touching… In that case, I shall help you this once.”
Jiang Yin feigned surprise, grabbing the shopkeeper’s hand as tears she had summoned nearly spilled over: “…Really?”
“Of course.”
With that, the shopkeeper stood up, fetched brush and ink, and drew her a map, pointing out: “From here, head straight west until you see Xunxiang Zhai… In the alley behind it, there’s a small shop that rents out carriages.”
Jiang Yin knew she couldn’t take the paper with her, so she carefully studied the route several times before thanking the shopkeeper.
To be cautious, she asked one more question: “Do you know what kind of person runs this small shop?”
The shopkeeper understood her concern and patted her hand reassuringly: “Don’t worry, miss. The owner is a foreigner who only recently arrived in the capital.”
“…That’s good.”
To thank the shopkeeper, Jiang Yin deliberately picked out a few pieces of jewelry that looked particularly valuable before leaving the room.
Shen Shouyu was still in the same spot, but now there was another person facing him.
Of all people, Jiang Yin recognized him.
—It was Shen Fengzhi.
“…”
Without a moment’s hesitation, between retreating back into the room and stepping out to face humiliation, Jiang Yin decisively chose the former.
But somehow, before she could even step back, Shen Shouyu noticed her: “A Yin?”
“…”
Sometimes, she really felt Shen Shouyu’s senses were a bit too sharp.
Under Shen Fengzhi’s gaze—which shifted from curiosity to surprise, then confusion, and finally to disgust—Jiang Yin steeled herself and stepped forward, obediently replying: “Mm.”
Shen Shouyu extended his hand, tilting his head slightly toward her, his expression calm and without a trace of displeasure: “Sitting for so long, are you feeling unwell?”
Ignoring Shen Fengzhi, Jiang Yin placed her hand in Shen Shouyu’s and shook her head: “Not at all.”
“Good, let’s go back.”
“Azhuo.”
Before Jiang Yin could respond, Shen Fengzhi called out first, his tone laced with a hint of mockery: “Azhuo, aren’t you going to explain to your elder brother why she’s here?”
“…”
Jiang Yin didn’t turn around, only tightening her other hand hidden in her sleeve.
Shen Shouyu, however, remained unruffled, smiling faintly as he retorted: “Is Elder Brother interested in me or in A Yin?”
“Of course, I’m interested in you, Azhuo… I haven’t seen you at court for days, and I’ve missed you terribly.”
That flippant tone made Jiang Yin uncomfortable. She turned and looked at Shen Fengzhi.
He was also looking at her, his expression arrogant, his peach-blossom eyes charming yet filled with scorn.
Perhaps because he was on leave, Shen Fengzhi wasn’t wearing his official robes either, only a sapphire-blue robe with subtle patterns, a golden waistband, and a glimpse of dark-red undergarment peeking out from the hem, its intricate and delicate embroidery vivid and intense.
Just like back at the Li Residence, he wore no crown, his jet-black hair tied high atop his head with a gold-embroidered ribbon that swung to the side when he tilted his head. Combined with his bright, delicate features, he looked exactly as described in books—youthful, spirited, and unrestrained.
Jiang Yin looked at him but only felt irritation.
Before, when she had a mission, she had no choice but to flatter him. But now that the mission was complete and there was nothing to worry about, Jiang Yin simply shot him a fierce glare before turning her gaze away.
Unlike Jiang Yin’s indignation, Shen Shouyu remained unmoved by Shen Fengzhi’s words. He rose slowly, his demeanor cool and detached: “If you are interested in Azhuo, then I must ask my elder brother not to trouble yourself… The relationship between Azhuo and my elder brother has not yet reached the point of interfering in each other’s private affairs.”
With that, he made to leave.
But Shen Fengzhi also stood up, striding forward to block their path. The corners of his lips curled upward, carrying an unmistakable malice: “What is Azhuo doing? Just because your name was removed from the jade register, does that mean you no longer recognize your elder brother, even though blood ties still remain?”
“Recognize or not, what does it matter?”
Shen Shouyu paid no heed to his provocation, standing tall and upright like a bamboo, gentle yet sharp: “Elder brother, it would be best not to block the way. Azhuo is blind, and what lacks eyes is not limited to swords.”
Yet Shen Fengzhi was not one to be threatened. Hearing Shen Shouyu’s words, he instead drew his sword and pressed it against Shen Shouyu’s chest, chuckling: “Azhuo has never once bested your elder brother in a duel… What, with a beauty by your side today, are you feeling bold enough to take risks again?”
He emphasized the word “beauty” heavily, and as he spoke, he deliberately glanced at Jiang Yin.
“…”
Enough was enough.
Jiang Yin couldn’t hold back any longer and sneered: “Does Your Highness have so much energy today because you didn’t climb the walls of the Li Residence last night?”
“…”
The smile on Shen Fengzhi’s face froze, and he frowned slightly.
But after only a moment, he regained that careless grin, narrowing his eyes and lifting his chin with a sly expression:
“What? Is A Yin jealous that I went to see the young lady of the Li family?”