Chapter 3 Meeting an Old Friend: You're Being Very Naughty

Lin Shutang walked down the street in a daze, not worried about getting lost.

Throughout the entire capital city, or rather, wherever she was in the Nine Provinces, Shen Yun would find her.

Snowflakes began to fall again, seemingly larger than the previous snowflakes, but this did not affect the lantern festival.

The long street was still bustling with tourists and traffic.

Lin Shutang heard the vendors calling out their wares on both sides and warmly invited her to come to their stalls.

She walked up to one of the stalls, which displayed all sorts of masks.

Some are ferocious and menacing, while others are small and agile; they have human faces, fox faces, and all sorts of other features.

As Lin Shutang looked at those vivid faces, a strong thought suddenly rose in his heart that he hadn't felt in a long time.

If you throw away your cloak and put on a mask, could you escape during the chaos?

This thought surfaced in her mind, making her heart pound even harder.

How long has it been since she dared to entertain such infatuation?

...three years?

Lin Shutang touched one of the masks, which was made of camphor wood and had a blue face and fangs carved on it.

She had a difficult childbirth, and the pain lasted for almost two days and two nights.

In the long, boundless dream, she seemed to return to her youth, to before she was fourteen.

She traveled with her father and brothers across the country, traversing rivers, seas, mountains, and plains, witnessing the long days and the desolate smoke, and hearing of the endless war between the imperial court and the Western Yue. She also helped the distressed and displaced in her humble circumstances.

Amidst the turmoil of the nation and the near collapse of the dynasty, only by staying by the side of his father and brothers could he find a sliver of solace.

And that was before she met Shen Yun...

“Young lady, you have a good eye. You’ve chosen this mask. In the entire capital, only my family has it. I obtained it from a craftsman.”

"Would you like it wrapped up, young lady?" The vendor called out as he saw Lin Shutang staring intently at the mask.

"With a blue face and fangs, their duty in the prison is to capture souls and take lives. People often use them to ward off evil spirits. Is there something you fear, young lady?"

Before Lin Shutang could respond, a hoarse voice suddenly came from beside him.

Each sound seemed to emanate from the depths of the throat, grotesquely tugging at every blood vessel, making one feel disgusted upon hearing it.

Lin Shutang was startled and turned to look, where the face of the rosy-cheeked doll came into view.

The flickering light from the lamp set up on the stall made the man's deep eyes appear even more profound.

Lin Shutang's eyelashes trembled, and her gaze inadvertently fell on the neck of the newcomer.

A long, menacing scar, though restrained by a dark fur collar, was conspicuously visible, winding along the side of the neck to the Adam's apple, like a cross-section that had been reattached, a thick, brownish protrusion.

It's him!

Tears streamed down Lin Shutang's face.

She wanted to rush forward and throw herself into his arms.

But when he finally raised his hand, he found that his whole body was so heavy that only his fingertips could move. Lin Shutang opened his mouth and unconsciously called out, "...Senior Brother..."

The noise of the crowd easily drowned out Lin Shutang's voices; she didn't know if the person in front of her had heard her.

The man simply took the bronze lacquered mask with blue face and fangs that she had just touched and promptly paid the stall owner.

He lowered his eyes and stared at the mask in his hand. "I have a younger sister at home. She is straightforward and outspoken. I was afraid that she would offend some villains because of this, so I carved a demon mask for her, hoping that she could use it to hide her identity and protect herself."

"Where is she?" Lin Shutang's voice choked with emotion.

"...She..." The voice behind the mask was extremely hoarse, but she quickly composed herself and said nothing more.

He simply said, "I feel a connection with you, young lady, so I will give you this item in the hope that it can also ward off evil spirits."

The man bowed slightly and presented the mask with both hands.

Lin Shutang tremblingly reached out and took it, wanting to say a few more words, but the person suddenly turned and left.

At the same time, Zhao Mingzhu's voice came from behind, "Lady of the Heir Apparent!"

Zhao Mingzhu jogged in, her forehead still damp with sweat, indicating she was quite anxious.

I was finally relieved to see her now.

She glanced down at the mask in Lin Shutang's hand, her pupils shrinking for a moment from the horrifying sight, before casually reaching out to support Lin Shutang's arm. "Madam, it's getting late, let's go."

It was perfectly proper of them not to ask Lin Shutang what had happened when he left.

Lin Shutang nodded. She had already composed herself when Zhao Mingzhu arrived, and she looked no different from when she was with Zhao Mingzhu tonight.

To her surprise, she turned around and saw Ji Huaiyi standing not far away.

She had met Ji Huaiyi several times before marrying Shen Jun.

To be honest, this person really did have a part in the fact that I was caught and brought back a few times when I tried to escape.

This has caused Lin Shutang to experience a subconscious heart palpitation whenever she sees Ji Huaiyi.

Lin Shutang avoided his probing gaze, pondering whether her closeness with her senior brother had appeared unusual to others, and when Ji Huaiyi had appeared and how much he had seen.

The three returned to the moon bridge where they had started.

Shen Yun stood there, gazing at her.

A lone lamp hanging from a treetop swayed in the wind and snow, casting an exceptionally long shadow over him.

Lin Shutang couldn't see his face clearly, but from the lingering shadow of the cold lamp behind him, she could see that the fox collar on the side of his neck was already damp with snow-like light, and she didn't know how long he had been standing there.

Even though they were quite far apart, Lin Shutang could still feel the intense gaze he was casting.

Thinking of his senior brother just now, Lin Shutang couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

Shen Yun's gaze always seemed to penetrate her flesh and brain, dissecting her as if she were made whole.

Lin Shutang had no secrets from Shen Yun.

Therefore, the closer she got to Shen Yun, the more she trembled, and even her breathing became disordered.

Every step he took to get closer to him felt as heavy as lead, and he dragged on for ages before finally reaching Shen Yun.

Zhao Mingzhu stayed by her side the whole time, seemingly oblivious to Lin Shutang’s deliberate dawdling.

Ji Huaiyi strolled leisurely behind them.

Shen Yun lowered his eyes, shifting his gaze from her face, which had looked as if she had seen a ghost the moment she saw him, to her tiny, hesitant steps.

He seemed to have lost patience as well, and in a few steps he stepped forward, pulled Lin Shutang into his arms, and ended this silent tug-of-war ahead of time.

Shen Yun looked down at her, her smiling face sending a chill down one's spine. "Why are you walking so slowly? Are you tired?"

Lin Shutang's eyelashes trembled as she avoided his gaze. She placed her hand on his chest to push him away, but turned her head and replied stiffly, "No."

Even after all this time, she still wasn't used to close contact with Shen Jun.

Especially in front of outsiders.

Zhao Mingzhu returned Lin Shutang intact, wisely omitting any mention of their earlier separation. Naturally, the masked man who had inexplicably appeared was also left unmentioned.

As the lantern festival drew to a close, Zhao Mingzhu left with Ji Huaiyi to wrap up the patrol work.

Shen Yun carried Lin Shutang into the carriage.

She didn't struggle; Lin Shutang had never had the right to refuse Shen Yun.

Inside the carriage, the glowing red charcoal filled the room with warmth, instantly restoring feeling to Lin Shutang's face, which had been stiff from the cold.

Shen Yun squatted down in front of her, took off her frost-covered cloak and threw it aside, placed a brocade pillow behind her, and took a cashmere blanket to cover her knees.

The round brazier, made of purple copper, reveals the burning silver charcoal inside through its openwork begonia pattern. It is smokeless and odorless, and the gilded copper walls emit just the right amount of warmth.

Shen Yun took the beaded hand warmer and was about to put it in Lin Shutang's hand when she saw her tightly clutching the blue-faced, fanged mask.

Lin Shutang had been thinking about what had just happened ever since he was carried into the carriage.

She was clearly no longer wearing a girl's hairstyle, but Song Ying still called her "young lady".

He is still alive, but he doesn't recognize himself.

Is he still blaming her?

What is he doing in Beijing? Is he going to oppose Shen Yun?

Lin Shutang's mind was in turmoil.

Subconsciously, he clenched the object in his hand.

She didn't pay attention to what Shen Yun was doing, since everything about her had always been arranged by Shen Yun.

Shen Jun took care of everything for her, from what she wore to what she ate to what she used.

Therefore, Lin Shutang was almost used to Shen Yun's various services to her as soon as he entered the carriage, so she did not notice the abnormality of his sudden pause.

Until Shen Yun's flippant voice rang out, "What is this?"

Shen Yun remained squatting in front of her, looked up at Lin Shutang, and smiled as he spoke to her.

Lin Shutang snapped out of her daze, blinked, and tried to speak in a calm tone, "I bought it from a stall, it's just a mask."

She rarely spoke to Shen Jun during this period.

This sentence is something I've rarely had in so long, a chance to have a calm and peaceful conversation with him.

Shen Yun seemed to understand and nodded slightly. "Does A-Tang like it very much?"

Lin Shutang pursed her lips, feeling that his tone was a bit strange, and this time she didn't say anything.

"Yingxiao, bring all the vendors selling masks tonight to the Duke's mansion," Shen Yun ordered the servants in the carriage outside, her eyes still fixed on Lin Shutang.

"Chen Yun, what are you doing?" Lin Shutang's heart skipped a beat, and she looked at him like a frightened bird.

"Ah Tang was always reluctant to talk to me, so I had to find out Ah Tang's preferences myself to see which craftsman was so skillful that Ah Tang couldn't forget him."

He reached out to stroke Lin Shutang's cheek, his fingertips as light and gentle as his tone, gliding slowly across her face, as if touched by the chill of the frost and snow outside, yet carrying a hint of doting affection. His familiar tone sent chills down Lin Shutang's spine.

"Then, cut off his hand and offer it to Ah Tang."

With a "thud," the mask landed on the woven velvet carpet, making a dull sound.

Lin Shutang looked at him in fear, her teeth chattering.

yes.

Even though no one was openly following her, how could there not be a shortage of eyes watching her secretly?

How could Shen Yun possibly trust her?

She was too naive. All these years of being obedient and well-behaved in the Duke's mansion had made her dizzy and she had actually forgotten what kind of person Shen Yun was.

Amidst the bustling crowds at the lantern festival, she always had just the right amount of space to her side.

Not long after they got separated from Zhao Mingzhu, she was able to find them easily.

The senior brother wore a mask and refused to acknowledge her.

...She should have realized it sooner.

"Please, don't touch him," Lin Shutang pleaded, her voice trembling.

It seems like I'm really scared.

Shen Yun raised an eyebrow, a cold aura spreading in her eyes.

Seeing Lin Shutang's frightened expression, he slowly lowered his eyelids and stared expressionlessly at her fingertips gripping his wide sleeve.

He reached out and took her soft hand in his palm, slowly and deliberately stroking each of her slender fingers.

"Is this the first time Ah Tang is willing to speak to me?"

"You always lie to me, and you always ask me for favors on behalf of others. This is very disobedient of you."

He cupped her hand and placed it beside his face. "I don't like it."

After saying that, he turned his head and bit her palm as punishment, coldly watching her wince in pain.

A note from the author:

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