Chapter 1216 Repayment

Yuwen Ye immediately frowned and looked up at the man who was slowly walking into the hall.

He wasn't tall, but he had a straight posture, handsome features, a restrained aura, and a slow, deliberate gait, as if he were floating into the hall on clouds. As soon as Madam Yu saw him, she beamed with joy: "Young Master Sun, you've arrived. Come and pay your respects to His Highness Prince Qin and his consort."

The visitor was none other than Sun Xianyue, who was temporarily residing in the Shen residence.

Although Sun Xianyue had never met Yuwen Ye before, she immediately recognized the tall, aloof, and imposing man sitting next to Shang Ruyi. She stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This humble subject, Sun Xianyue, greets Your Highness the Prince of Qin and Your Highness the Princess."

Yuwen Ye raised his hand casually: "No need for formalities, please sit down."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Sun Xianyue bowed again and then sat down to one side.

His arrival changed the atmosphere in the hall; it was no longer as oppressive as before, but it wasn't much better. Yuwen Ye looked him up and down again, then asked, "Are you Pei Yun Shen's disciple?"

"yes."

"Have you gone to visit the Pei family?"

"This humble citizen doesn't want to bother them,"

Sun Xianyue kept his head down, and the indifference in his eyes made it impossible to tell that he was the one who would risk his life to enter the palace to perform a dance for the Pei family, whom he had never met. After speaking, he looked up at the Shen couple and said, "Actually, my injuries have healed. I was just about to take this opportunity to bid farewell to Master Shen and Madam. I also thank the Princess for her previous care."

"I see..."

Upon hearing his words, Yuwen Ye's expression softened somewhat.

Sitting next to him, Shang Ruyi kept staring at Sun Xianyue. From the way he walked in, Shang Ruyi could tell that although he moved freely, there were still some inconveniences. Most importantly, although he said he was going to take his leave, he did not act immediately after saying that. Instead, he glanced at her cautiously.

That expression seemed to suggest that he had something to say to me.

At this moment, Shen Wuzheng asked, "Does Young Master Sun have anything else to say?"

Sun Xianyue was taken aback, probably not expecting him to see through her thoughts. Just as she was hesitating, Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Perfect timing, I have some things to tell you—" Then, she turned to Yuwen Ye and said softly, "Don't you still have matters concerning the Twelve Guards to discuss with your brother? I'll take Young Master Sun over there to talk."

After saying that, he stood up and said to Sun Xianyue, "Young Master Sun, let's go."

As they watched her and Sun Xianyue lead Tu She'er out of the hall, Yuwen Ye and Shen Wuzheng, who were sitting in place, frowned slightly. They glanced at each other subconsciously before looking away.

After a long pause, Shen Shiyan cautiously asked, "Does Your Highness have something to discuss with Fu Ming?"

Yuwen Ye took a deep breath and finally said, "Mm."

After the other three people walked out of the main hall, they walked along a somewhat dimly lit path for a while. Night fell at this time. Shang Ruyi was not very familiar with this mansion, but fortunately Sun Xianyue was leading the way. Soon they arrived at the side room where he was staying.

Pushing open the door, they found a lamp still lit inside. The candlelight flickered slightly as someone suddenly arrived, and Sun Xianyue quickly went inside to shield the small sliver of light. By the light of this candle, Shang Ruyi surveyed the room. It was spacious and clean, but sparsely furnished. There was only a screen, a table and a few crescent-shaped stools outside the screen, a chest and cabinet in the corner, and a bed inside the screen. It was quite simple.

Shang Ruyi frowned slightly.

Sun Xianyue smiled apologetically, "Madam Shen sent me many utensils, but I am not fond of decorations and returned them all. I have been negligent towards the Princess."

Shang Ruyi then smiled.

It seems that although Sun Xianyue is a free spirit, she is not ignorant of human relationships.

Since it was her uncle's house, she was practically a hostess, so she sat down comfortably. Sun Xianyue personally brought her a cup of tea and sat down opposite her, saying softly, "I wonder what Your Highness wishes to tell this humble subject?"

Shang Ruyi took a sip of tea, then looked up at him and smiled, "I have nothing to say."

"ah?"

"But judging from Young Master Sun's expression, it seems like he has something to say to me."

"..."

"Isn't that so?"

Upon hearing Shang Ruyi's words, Sun Xianyue's expression changed slightly, though he didn't seem surprised. Instead, his fair and handsome face flushed slightly. Shang Ruyi, certain that she wasn't mistaken, said, "Young Master Sun and I can be considered friends who have gone through thick and thin together. Moreover, you went to the palace alone to plead for the Pei family, which is incredibly righteous, and I greatly admire you. Young Master Sun, if you have something to say, please speak frankly."

Despite her words, Sun Xianyue remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, saying, "This humble subject mainly wants to express gratitude to the Princess."

Shang Ruyi raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

Sun Xianyue said, "I am grateful to the Princess for saving me and for taking me in to recover from my injuries."

Shang Ruyi said calmly, "You were implicated because of me. By saving you, I am also saving myself."

Sun Xianyue added, "This humble subject still has more to say, and more gratitude to... Miss Changwan."

Hearing him stammer and hesitate for a long time before finally saying those words, especially as if he had made up his mind to say Chang Wan's name, Shang Ruyi immediately sensed something and stared at him with wide eyes.

At the same time, she heard Tushe'er, who was standing behind her, take a deep breath and take a small step forward.

Shang Ruyi asked, "Changwan?"

Sun Xianyue's face turned even redder, so much so that even the orange candlelight couldn't hide it. He lowered his head, revealing his slightly reddened ears, and said softly, "These days, besides the care of Lord Shen and Madam Shen, it's also Miss Changwan who has come out of the palace every time to bring me good medicine and take care of my injuries. Without her, I certainly wouldn't have recovered so quickly."

"..."

Shang Ruyi blinked and smiled, "I told her to take care of you before I left; it's her duty."

Sun Xianyue said, "Yes. But—"

"But what?"

"However, I am still very grateful to Miss Changwan."

"..."

"This humble citizen also longs to repay her..."

Hearing him stammer out these words, Shang Ruyi couldn't help but find it a little funny, and she patiently listened to him finish. But Tu She'er behind her was not so patient. While Shang Ruyi listened to Sun Xianyue's words, she heard Tu She'er scratching her ears and cheeks and gritting her teeth behind her, as if she wished she could finish what he was saying for him.

To prevent the girl from speaking up, Shang Ruyi said, "It seems that Changwan took good care of Young Master Sun during my absence, which is why you are so grateful."

"...Yes, yes."

"Then, how does Young Master Sun intend to repay her?"