Shen Shian lowered his eyes, panic rising in his heart, terrified that his father, the emperor, would punish him for this.
Empress Song kicked him sharply in the leg. “Get back to the carriage.” She then turned and walked to Shen Zuizhi, whispering softly to calm her emotions.
Though Shen Zuizhi’s face remained composed, inwardly she grew more certain: marrying Shang Shiyan to the Crown Prince might truly be, as Ah Yan herself had said, a mistake.
After the coming-of-age ceremony, many noble ladies in the capital began gossiping about Shang Shiyan and Shen Shian’s relationship.
“I heard the Crown Prince despises Shang Shiyan, even humiliating her at the ceremony, saying she was scheming and ill-bred!”
“That insulted not only her, but also the Shen family and the Marquis’ household. Clearly, the Crown Prince intends to cancel the marriage.”
“Don’t you know Shang Shiyan herself asked the Empress to annul the betrothal?”
“How could Shang Shiyan possibly want to cancel it? She’s just trying to win the Empress’s sympathy. As long as the Empress refuses, the marriage won’t be so easily dissolved.”
These words quickly reached Shen Shian’s ears. He grew even more convinced that Shang Shiyan’s request to annul the engagement was a ploy—retreating in order to advance. Now that she had achieved her aim, his mother had punished him severely and even declared that as long as she lived, the marriage would never be canceled!
Shen Shian’s hatred for Shang Shiyan deepened further.
Shang Shiyan, however, paid no mind.
The matter of breaking off the engagement—there were others more anxious about it than she was—for example, Shang Yunrou.
What Shang Shiyan cared about was Gu Peice’s injury.
Gu Peice had long fought on battlefields, his body covered with scars. This wound was but one among many, not serious in itself. But the emperor’s “medicine” had worsened it, inflicting grave harm on him just after his return from war.
In her previous life, during the time she was taken into Prince Lin’an’s residence, she often heard the servants whisper that the lord’s wound had festered again.
It had never fully healed and repeatedly broke open. Each time it festered, sharp blades had to cut away the rotting flesh inch by inch.
Shang Shiyan had once secretly witnessed that scene—the bloody sight had left her face deathly pale. Gu Peice, drenched in cold sweat, bit down on the hilt of his sword, his entire body trembling with pain, yet he did not utter a single sound.
Recalling that image, Shang Shiyan quietly took out the ointment her grandmother had given her. This ointment was a secret remedy of the Shen family, highly effective in treating external wounds.
Once the emperor suspected someone, his strikes were merciless. He would never consider Gu Peice’s past contributions to the empire.
There was little Shang Shiyan could do, but she could at least try to minimize the harm done to him. The ointment was precious—she had only two jars. They had to be delivered into Gu Peice’s hands personally.
As night fell, Shang Shiyan changed into a set of black, lightweight clothing.
Tonight, Hubo was on duty, so Shang Shiyan took her along and quietly slipped out of the Marquis’ residence.
Hubo was extremely nervous, following behind Shang Shiyan and glancing around warily. “Miss, what are we going to do?”
Striding quickly toward Prince Lin’an’s residence, Shang Shiyan answered casually, “A secret meeting.”
Hubo’s eyes widened, and she grabbed Shang Shiyan’s arm. “What? Miss, you’re going to meet someone in secret! This is improper! It will ruin your reputation. Miss, let’s go back…”
Hubo was nearly in tears. Shang Shiyan pinched her cheek lightly. “What are you afraid of? No one will find out.”
“Wh-why?” Hubo asked nervously.
“Because you’ll be keeping watch for me.”
At those words, Hubo’s face went pale. “Miss, if you do this, Madam will blame me!”
Hearing her voice, Shang Shiyan understood. Hubo had long been intimidated by Chunhua and Qiuyue, who deliberately slandered her before Madam.
Shang Shiyan suddenly stopped walking, firmly grasped Hubo’s hand, and said with determination, “Hubo, from now on, I will never let you or Zhenzhu suffer even the slightest grievance. Do you believe me?”
Hubo froze. She was only a servant, and never thought her mistress would make such a promise to her. “Th-this servant… this servant believes you, Miss.” Her voice was faint, clearly uncertain.
Shang Shiyan’s gaze shone brightly. “No rush. Even if you don’t believe me now, it doesn’t matter. As long as you remain loyal to me, I will protect you from harm.”
Those who treated her sincerely, Shang Shiyan would repay with sincerity.
It is easy to add flowers to brocade, but hard to send charcoal in the snow. Just because Hubo and Zhenzhu had once risked their lives to bring her food and clothing in her past life, Shang Shiyan would protect them for the rest of her days.
Arriving at the gates of Prince Lin’an’s residence, Shang Shiyan led Hubo toward the side entrance.
Hubo was trembling with fear the entire way, her eyes darting nervously around, terrified that any small sound might give them away.
They stopped in the low shrubs beside the side gate.
“Hubo, you must keep watch carefully. Your lady’s life is in your hands now.”
Hubo looked up in panic, her eyes full of helplessness. “Miss, I can’t…”
“You can!” Shang Shiyan spoke with bold confidence, soothing Hubo. Then suddenly, she bent down and lay flat on the ground.
Hubo: “?”
The next moment, she saw Shang Shiyan push aside the bushes and crawl into a dog hole, leaving only her legs sticking out.
Hubo: “……!”
“Hubo, make sure you stay hidden,” came Shang Shiyan’s voice from inside.
After giving her instructions, Shang Shiyan slipped into Prince Lin’an’s residence. She had lived there for quite some time in her previous life, so she was very familiar with every corner of the estate.
By now, the lamps inside had been extinguished. Darkness and silence filled the grounds.
Following her memory, Shang Shiyan made her way to the quarters where Gu Peice rested. From a distance, she could already see dozens of guards stationed outside.
This would be difficult to enter.
Since she had sneaked in, Shang Shiyan thought carefully and decided to head straight to Gu Peice’s study instead. Even injured, he would still need to go there daily to handle affairs.
Placing the ointment in the study, he would surely see it. She would also leave a note explaining that it was a Shen family ancestral remedy. Given Gu Peice’s suspicious nature, he would not use it directly—he would certainly have it tested, and once tested, he would know she had spoken the truth.
Thinking this, Shang Shiyan soon arrived at the door of Gu Peice’s study. She pushed the door open just a crack and slipped into the darkened room, carefully placing the ointment on the desk. Once it was set down, she let out a small breath of relief and prepared to leave. But suddenly, her arm was seized and pulled forcefully.
In the next instant, Shang Shiyan was drawn into a broad embrace, forced to sit upon a man’s lap. His strong arms encircled her tightly, leaving her unable to move.
“Who are you? How dare you trespass on the Prince’s residence?” A cold, deep voice sounded right behind her ear.
The study was pitch black. Shang Shiyan’s eyes flew wide, but she quickly recognized the voice—it was Gu Peice.
In her previous life, after Gu Peice had taken her into his residence, there had been moments of such closeness. His steady, powerful voice had always struck her ears just like this, as though it fell directly onto her heart, making her lashes tremble.
“I—I am… delivering medicine!” Shang Shiyan’s ears burned, her mind involuntarily recalling scenes from her past life.
“Miss Shang, you are truly bold. Do you know what fate awaits those who trespass into my residence?” Gu Peice released her, and in an instant, the room filled with light.
Shang Shiyan narrowed her eyes, adjusting to the brightness. She saw him seated on a short bench, his gaze dark and penetrating, fixed upon her.