Fear

The embroiderer was very dissatisfied and said angrily, "What are you so arrogant about? This is called trespassing. If you report this to the magistrate, you'll be in jail!"

Another embroiderer said, "Don't be fooled by your good looks. If you commit a crime, you'll still be punished and imprisoned!"

"Why waste words with him? He's obviously a burglar from out of town. Ignore him, just call the police!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan felt a chill run down her spine for each of them. Even before they reached her, she hurriedly shouted, "Don't be rude! You can't treat him like that!!"

She was genuinely afraid that they would offend him, and if he became displeased, he could easily behead them all with a single swing of his sword!

The embroiderers were puzzled and all looked at her, as well as Shangguan Zeyu, who had a very sour face.

Jiang Yan gave Shangguan Zeyu a dry laugh, then looked seriously at the embroiderers and said, "This is a young master from the capital. We must treat him with the utmost respect."

"Does coming from the capital give you the right to be so rude? Disturbing people's sleep in the middle of the night?" one of the embroiderers muttered in dissatisfaction.

Jiang Yan's face was already tense with fear. She wasn't afraid of what Shangguan Zeyu would do to her, but she was afraid of her, afraid that she would anger Shangguan Zeyu and then be "cracked" out.

"Sister, you mustn't do that!" Jiang Yan glared at the still unconvinced embroiderer with her round eyes, as if to remind her not to speak recklessly.

The embroiderer was clever enough to see through her hint and glanced at Shangguan Zeyu in alarm. However, Shangguan Zeyu didn't care about her or the matter at all, and simply looked at Jiang Yan quietly.

Jiang Yan smiled and said, "It's still early, ladies, please go back and continue to rest." After the embroiderers left, Jiang Yan smiled apologetically at Shangguan Zeyu and said, "Your Highness, this way."

Shangguan Zeyu didn't say anything and followed her over.

Jiang Yan: "Your Highness hasn't had breakfast yet, has he? What would Your Highness like to eat?"

Shangguan Zeyu: "Whatever you say."

Jiang Yan paused in her tracks, then glanced furtively at Huang Ying. Huang Ying was also shocked by Shangguan Zeyu's answer and looked at her as well.

Jiang Yan smiled slightly and didn't say anything more.

Jiang Yan led Shangguan Zeyu to the reception area, instructed Huang Ying to serve him, and then went to wash and dress herself. When she rushed back, she found that Shangguan Zeyu was in a good mood, and Huang Ying did not seem so nervous or flustered.

Jiang Yan keenly sensed that while she was away, Shangguan Zeyu must have asked Huang Ying some questions about her, and Huang Ying's answers must have satisfied him.

But what exactly did Shangguan Zeyu ask Huang Ying? And how did Huang Ying answer him?

Before Jiang Yan could even exchange glances with Huang Ying, Shangguan Zeyu was already in a great mood and asked, "Ruyi, do you plan to ride a horse or take a carriage back?"

Is there even a question? It's definitely by horse-drawn carriage.

"Your Highness, how do you plan to return?"

"I came on horseback, so naturally I will return on horseback." Jiang Yan looked at him, his eyes sparkling with a smile.

Jiang Yan felt that she was completely under his control again, and said helplessly, "I'll take the carriage back."

"The carriage is waiting outside. If Ruyi isn't hungry, we can set off now."

Jiang Yan glanced at Huang Ying, thinking that if Huang Ying went to cook, then she would have to stay alone with Shangguan Zeyu. Just thinking about having to be alone with Shangguan Zeyu for a long time made her feel very uncomfortable.

"Your Highness, I'm not hungry yet. Let's get going."

Shangguan Zeyu smiled contentedly and said, "I'll wait for you outside." Then he smiled deeply at Jiang Yan and walked out.

As soon as Shangguan Zeyu walked away, Jiang Yan couldn't wait to ask Huang Ying, "What were you two talking about just now?"

Huang Ying smiled and said, "It's nothing, it's just that the prince asked me if you like him?"

"So what was your answer?" Jiang Yan's heart was pounding so hard it was in her throat. She was as nervous and flustered as if she were waiting for the lottery results to be revealed.

Huang Ying smiled sweetly: "I said my sister has been thinking about him."

"Huh?" Jiang Yan's face flushed bright red instantly. "I wasn't thinking about him at all! I just... I was just reminded of him by the scenery, I just... Anyway, you've misunderstood! This is terrible! He's definitely misunderstood too!!"

Huang Ying smiled knowingly: "Sister, my dear sister, let's go out first, so as not to keep the prince waiting too long."

Jiang Yan took a deep breath and thought it made sense. Since she was going back with him anyway, it didn't matter whether she lived or died, or whether things were good or bad. It was better to make him happy first and explain things to him slowly when there was a chance in the future.

Jiang Yan bid farewell to the embroiderers again before reluctantly leaving to find Shangguan Zeyu.

Jiang Yan originally thought that Shangguan Zeyu had come to find her with a large army, but when she went out and saw that he was alone with a carriage and a horse, she was stunned.

"Does Ruyi think I came here to arrest you?" Shangguan Zeyu had been in a good mood since earlier.

Jiang Yan couldn't help but smile awkwardly, looked at him, and said, "Does Your Highness really not want to ride in a carriage?"

"No, thank you." Shangguan Zeyu's eyes seemed glued to Jiang Yan, never leaving her.

Jiang Yan felt embarrassed by his gaze, smiled again, and said, "Then I'll get in the carriage." Then, pulling Huang Ying along and carrying their bundles, she walked towards the carriage.

Spring is growing stronger, and summer is on its way.

Shangguan Zeyu rode at the very front on his horse. Around noon, he took off his outer robe and hung it on his waist, like the clothes worn by Tibetans, and wore only a thin beige inner shirt.

Jiang Yan and Huang Ying squatted side by side at the carriage entrance, staring at his back through the semi-transparent curtain for a very long time.

Jiang Yan couldn't help but sigh, "Well, you can't blame him for having so many women around him. With a figure like that, what woman wouldn't love him!"

Huang Ying smiled secretly.

She couldn't help but laugh and said, "If he's devoted and deeply in love, then the woman he falls in love with is someone everyone envies!"

Huang Ying withdrew her gaze from Shangguan Zeyu and whispered with a smile, "Sister, the Prince is very devoted and affectionate towards you! Don't you think so?"

Jiang Yan wasn't angry: "Really? I don't think so!"

“Think about it, the Prince would travel all the way from the capital to find you, can’t you tell? And sister, think about it, we’ve been so secretive, how did the Prince find you? He must have gone to other places and searched for a long time before finding you. Sister, I don’t think the Prince just found you randomly.”

Jiang Yan looked at Shangguan Zeyu's tall, sturdy back and slowly fell into deep thought.

Huang Ying continued, "If I were the prince, I could never find an insignificant person! Even if it were someone I knew, I couldn't do it to the extent the prince has done! Sister, even you, or anyone else, couldn't do it! So how could the prince possibly consider you an insignificant person, someone he just knows? To endure hardship, to keep searching and searching until you find them—such perseverance, such deep affection—what kind of person must the prince be to warrant such devotion?"

Jiang Yan's mind became increasingly muddled, and she found herself increasingly unable to think clearly.

At the end of the day, they found an inn to stay at.

Just like all male and female protagonists who have to live in the same room, Jiang Yan and Shangguan Zeyu had to live in the same room.

Jiang Yan has been married to Shangguan Zeyu for quite some time now, but she has never actually slept in the same room with him. Even when she was critically ill and Shangguan Zeyu was lying next to her, it was without her knowledge. At that time, she knew nothing and didn't have many thoughts, unlike now, when she can't help but overthink, feel restrained, and nervous.

Jiang Yan and Huang Ying parted with difficulty. When Jiang Yan entered the room, Shangguan Zeyu had just finished taking a shower and put on his inner shirt.

His hair was still half-wet, and he was gently wiping it with a towel.

Jiang Yan only glanced at it briefly before trying to escape, but was stopped by Shangguan Zeyu, who had already noticed her: "Ruyi, come and help me dry my hair."

Jiang Yan was filled with regret. If she had eaten one more bowl of noodles and begged Huang Ying to let her stay a little longer, she wouldn't be in such an awkward situation right now!

Jiang Yan sighed helplessly and self-reproachfully, then turned around with a slight smile and slowly walked towards Shangguan Zeyu.

"Does Ruyi not take a bath?"

"Huh? Oh." She won't wash! She has nowhere to wash! She doesn't want to wash either! Because if she doesn't shower, he won't... ...

"Don't worry, Ruyi, I won't do anything to you! I don't force anyone!" Shangguan Zeyu smiled warmly and spoke in a steady voice, leaving no reason for anyone to question his words.

Jiang Yan was surprised that he had guessed her concerns. She smiled awkwardly, took the handkerchief from his hand, and gently wiped his hair.