Xishan Mailin

Suzaku Avenue, Shen Residence.

The summer heat was largely dispelled by the high walls and the winding stream of running water, and several ice chests were placed in the front hall, emitting a cool mist. Chen Yan's "injured leg" was draped on a low stool with soft cushions, and her swollen ankle was covered with chilled medicinal mud, which gave off a bitter herbal scent.

He changed into a light white gauze casual robe, with sparse bamboo patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs. He was less flamboyant than he had been at the city gate, but his dashing demeanor was still undeniable. However, at this moment, a rare trace of calmness appeared in his usually smiling peach blossom eyes.

Ling Zhan sat opposite him, having changed into a more comfortable black silk outfit. He had only removed half of his arm and was slowly and methodically wiping the hilt of his short blade with a plain handkerchief. His movements were steady, and his gaze was as sharp as ever, as if he had just returned from a banquet rather than having experienced a life-or-death situation when entering the city.

Zhou Wenqing sat at the lower end, his dark blue robe crisply washed.

He picked up the celadon teacup, took a sip, but the warm tea seemed unable to dispel the solemnity between his brows.

"Master, Madam."

Zhou Wenqing put down his teacup, his voice low but clear, carrying the composure unique to a veteran official. "Today's 'show' at the Vermilion Bird Gate was quite a spectacle, temporarily silencing the Ministry of Rites and muddying the waters of the capital. But this is only the beginning." He paused, his gaze sweeping over Shen Yan's leg where medicine was being applied, before turning to Ling Zhan: "Now that His Majesty has irrefutable evidence, has personally acknowledged your status as 'Imperial Nephew,' and has urgently summoned you to the capital... there is absolutely no possibility of you leaving the capital again."

Shen Yan leaned back lazily, his fingertips unconsciously stroking a warm, smooth white jade pendant at his waist. A cynical smile habitually curved his lips: "If you don't want to let go, then don't. The capital is bustling, with far more delicious food and fun things to do than up in the mountains. Besides, I'm too lazy to go back to those remote mountain valleys and endure the elements."

He spoke casually, as if he didn't care at all.

Zhou Wenqing slowly shook his head, his gaze sharp: "Master, you are mistaken. His Majesty's refusal to release you is not to keep you in the capital to enjoy a life of luxury. His true intention is to place you under his very nose, in this den of dragons and tigers. You are called 'Imperial Nephew,' but in reality, you are a prisoner. The only difference is whether this cage is made of gold thread or surrounded by iron bars."

He looked at Shen Yan and said earnestly, "From now on, your every move and every word will be under the watchful eye of 'Hidden Scale.' Young Master Shen Xiao and Shen Hong, Madam Ling, Miss Wan Su, Miss Su Wan, and even every servant in the mansion, every transaction of 'Yunshangji,' 'Baicaotang,' and 'Jiaheyuan'... will all be exposed. The slightest mistake will be giving others a handle to use against you, leading to your utter ruin."

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the faint sound of ice melting in the ice chest, dripping and tapping, striking at one's heart.

Ling Zhan did not pause in wiping the short blade, but his eyelashes lowered slightly, concealing the cold glint that flashed in his eyes.

Shen Yan's smile faded slightly, and he subconsciously looked at Ling Zhan.

She remained calm, but he knew that the capital city was the real cage for her.

She belonged to the vast mountains and fields, to the frosty wilderness, to the lands waiting to be cultivated and the seeds needing protection. It was he who dragged her into this treacherous vortex. A clear sense of guilt, like an icicle, pierced his nonchalant facade and settled deep within his heart.

He was silent for a moment, his fingers unconsciously tracing circles on the smooth jade pendant. When he looked up again, the usual frivolity in his peach blossom eyes faded, revealing a clear and sharp understanding beneath. His tone, however, remained that of a spoiled young master: "Mr. Zhou is right. This capital city, even a gilded cage is still a cage, suffocatingly so. But..."

He changed the subject, looking at Ling Zhan with a fawning smile in his eyes, and his voice softened: "Ah Zhan, look, although we have running water and an ice chest in this yard, that big, silly Frostblade is locked up in this little yard all day, looking so miserable. It's a wolf, not a real dog, and it sticks its tongue out at the wall all day long. It breaks my heart to see it like that."

Ling Zhan finally stopped wiping the short blade, looked up at him, his eyes calm and unwavering, waiting for him to continue.

Shen Yan cleared his throat, as if he were telling a trivial joke.

“I’ve been thinking, our family’s businesses in Linzhou and Qingzhou are quite large now, and we’ve finally established a foothold in the capital. We should find some fun, shouldn’t we? I’ve heard that the forests over in Xishan are beautiful, with plenty of prey. How about… we buy a piece of forest to play in? Let Frostblade have a bit of space to run around in, so it won’t be so cooped up in the yard and startle the neighbors one day, saying our ‘dog’ has gone mad.”

He paused, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest as if calculating the cost of entertainment, his tone relaxed and casual: "By the way, the mountains are quiet and the air is fresh. I think planting some cotton on the sunny slopes of the Western Hills would be a good idea, wouldn't it? Our 'Jiaheyuan' seeds need to be tested in a good place, right? The noblemen in the capital are afraid of the cold in winter, so if 'Snowy Cotton' can be grown in the Western Hills, that would be a huge success, a sure-fire way to make money! We have a lot of kids, so having more mountains and forests for them to run around in will keep them from going astray in the city."

He seemed to be depicting a leisurely manor recreational scene, but the words "West Mountain," "forest," "land enclosure," "cotton planting," "mountain forest," and "running around" sounded like pebbles thrown into a deep pool to Zhou Wenqing and Ling Zhan, creating ripples that were completely different from what they seemed.

A glint of wisdom flashed in Zhou Wenqing's eyes, and his hand stroking his beard paused slightly. He instantly understood Shen Yan's profound meaning! Xishan, adjacent to the capital yet forming its own system, has a complex terrain; it can overlook the capital from above or retreat into the mountains from below!

Purchasing vast tracts of forest, ostensibly to provide Shuangren with land and a playground for his spoiled sons, was in reality to create a buffer zone for Ling Zhan, far removed from the central surveillance of the capital! It was strategic depth! It was a retreat route!

This also lays a legitimate groundwork for her "Jiaheyuan" seed experiment, and even for a possible future relocation! What a clever scheme of "buying a forest to play with"! What a clever tactic of feigning one thing while secretly doing another!

This boss may seem glamorous, but his mind is as deep as the ocean.

Ling Zhan's gaze was fixed on Shen Yan's face.

In his captivating eyes, there was no trace of jest at this moment, only a clear, earnest concern for her, and a lingering sense of guilt for having implicated her. He understood her. He understood her unease, the repression in her frost-like expression, and the uncultivated land within her heart.

His seemingly absurd suggestion was, in fact, a path paved for her with every word.

A warm current, without warning, broke through Ling Zhan's usually frozen heart. The warmth came so suddenly, almost catching her off guard. She looked at the fine beads of sweat still damp on his forehead, at his injured leg covered in medicinal plaster, at the careful concern in his eyes…

As if guided by some unseen force, Ling Zhan stood up and walked over.

Under Zhou Wenqing's slightly surprised gaze, and amidst Shen Yan's sudden breath-holding, she reached out, her calloused fingertips landing naturally and gently on Shen Yan's sweaty forehead, brushing away a stray hair stuck to his temple.

The movements were as fast as lightning, yet carried an indescribable, almost soothing gentleness.

The second time!

Shen Yan felt a "boom" in his mind, as if fireworks had exploded in the sky! The warm, calloused touch was like a tiny electric current, instantly coursing from his forehead to every part of his body! All his thoughts and words were shattered in that moment, leaving only his heart pounding wildly in his chest, making his eardrums buzz! He stood frozen in place, his peach blossom eyes wide open, staring straight at Ling Zhan, who was so close to him.

That aloof and stunningly beautiful face was magnified infinitely in his eyes at this moment.

Countless daring thoughts raced through his mind like wild horses—to hold her hand? To lean closer? However, the faint, chilling aura emanating from Ling Zhan, belonging to ice and weapons, and the usual clarity and undeniable coldness deep in her eyes, were like a bucket of ice water, precisely extinguishing all his restless fantasies.

Shen Yan's Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, and all the thoughts that rushed to his lips turned into silent swallowing.

Like a naughty child caught red-handed by his teacher, he quickly lowered his eyelids, his thick eyelashes concealing the turbulent emotions churning in his eyes, leaving only his slightly reddened ears to reveal the intense turmoil in his heart.

Ling Zhan withdrew his hand, as if the thrilling touch just now was merely an illusion.

Her expression remained unchanged, as if she were merely brushing away a tiny speck of dust. Her voice was still clear and cold, yet carried a subtle softening: "Buying forests in Xishan is feasible." She paused, her gaze sweeping over Shen Yan's reddened earlobes before turning to Zhou Wenqing, whose eyes revealed understanding and appreciation. She added, "Frostblade needs forests. Seeds also need a place to be planted."

"Okay! It's settled then!"

Shen Yan abruptly raised his head, his voice slightly hoarse from the earlier tremor. He forced out his usual flamboyant smile, trying to conceal the turmoil within him. With a forceful flick of his finger, as if making a momentous decision to indulge in pleasure, he declared, "Tomorrow, I'll have Su Wan inquire! If we're going to buy, we'll buy the best hilltop! It has to be big enough! Spacious enough! The Shen family isn't short of money!"

Zhou Wenqing stroked his beard and smiled, looking at Shen Yan's forced composure and the fleeting glint in Ling Zhan's eyes, and understood.

He rose and calmly cupped his hands in greeting: "Master's considerations are thorough, and this proposal is excellent. Regarding the purchase of land in Xishan, I will discuss it with Miss Su Wan to ensure it is handled properly and legitimately. As for matters in the capital..." His gaze deepened, "I will handle them carefully. Master and Madam, please rest assured and recover from your injuries."

He emphasized the word "recovering from injury," his gaze sweeping over Chen Yan's legs.

Shen Yan understood, blinked his peach blossom eyes, and resumed his lazy demeanor: "Yes, yes, I need to recover! I've been stung by bees, so I need to rest for a while. If His Majesty summons me, I'll say that I'm having trouble walking and the bee venom hasn't cleared up yet, and I'm afraid of offending His Majesty. I'll talk to him when I'm better!" He used his "injury" as the best excuse with righteous indignation.

Outside the hall.

The faint sound of Frostblade impatiently scratching at the bluestone slab with its claws could be heard from the shady corner that had been specially prepared for it and had been filled with fresh water.

"Snap... snap... snap..."

The voice was deep and muffled, yet carried a wild, restless energy.

It was as if urging someone on, or perhaps echoing the strategy for the Western Hills Forest that had just been decided in the hall.

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