Chapter 013

Zhan Shaoying's first half of life can be said to be smooth sailing.

He was born into the prominent Anguo Mansion. As the eldest grandson of the mansion, he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and never had to pursue anything deliberately.

His father, Zhan Tai, was the son of the Duke's Mansion, and his mother, Zhang, was from the Cheng'en Marquis' Mansion, both of whom were well-known figures in the capital. Zhan Shaoying stood on the shoulders of his father and enjoyed all the glory and wealth in a legitimate way.

Fame, status, money... all seemed to be within his reach.

He was only seventeen this year, which was really too young. But with his family background, he could easily enter the Tongzhengsi, which many people dreamed of.

Even when his grandfather told him that he might marry a princess in the future, Zhan Shaoying didn't feel surprised at all.

He always thought that his life was supposed to be smooth sailing.

Life is full of ups and downs, but his life is only sweet.

So when the eldest princess cast her cold gaze at him, Zhan Shaoying felt his heart tighten, to the point that he didn't even dare to look closely into Jiashan's eyes.

He was afraid that he would see frustration in her eyes - that was not what he expected.

Zhan Shaoying was confused for a moment.

After being confused, the first thing he thought about was not "What should I do if the eldest princess doesn't like me?", but "Why does the eldest princess dislike me?"

Yes, why wouldn't she like him?

Somehow, Zhan Shaoying's gaze suddenly drifted towards his fourth uncle.

Zhan Yue has a handsome figure. After Jiashan spoke mercilessly, Zhan Yue's gaze shifted away from Zhan Shaoying.

Zhan Yue lowered his head and looked at the Jinwu Guards who were kneeling on the ground to explain, and said in a flat voice: "Do you remember what I told you at the beginning?"

Jinwuwei pursed his lips and said, "Remember."

Zhan Yue said in a deep voice: "Tell me."

The Jinwu Guard lowered his head and said, "My Lord said that no matter who comes, without your or the princess's permission, they are not allowed to enter the temple and disturb the two princesses' meditation."

"It seems you remember it." Zhan Yue said in a nonchalant tone.

The Jinwu Guard kneeling at his feet took a long breath.

"Fourth Uncle..." Seeing that Zhan Yue showed his intention to punish the Jinwu Guard, Zhan Shaoying couldn't bear it. He hesitated, and when he was about to come forward to explain, Zhan Yue's eyes fell on him again.

Zhan Yue's eyes were light, cold and indifferent. For a moment, Zhan Shaoying seemed to have forgotten what to say next.

Seeing this, Zhan Yue suddenly smiled at him. The smile was gentle and dazzling, which made Zhan Shaoying uneasy.

Zhan Yue stretched out a finger, put it to his mouth, and said calmly: "I didn't ask you, don't speak."

His voice was clear, like that of a young boy, but Zhan Shaoying heard a hint of murderous intent in it.

Zhan Shaoying pursed her lips and her eyes fell on the casual clothes that Zhan Yue was wearing.

There was a Xiezhi pattern embroidered on Zhan Yue's casual clothes. The Xiezhi looked like a Qilin, with bright eyes and pupils as black as ink.

Just like my fourth uncle at this moment.

For a moment, Zhan Shaoying thought of his mother's fear of him, and the silence of the servants at home when they mentioned Zhan Yue. He stared at Zhan Yue, and finally, he turned his head away and chose to remain silent.

Jiashan was right in front of him and saw Zhan Shaoying's reaction clearly. Seeing him looking away from Zhan Yue, he couldn't help but chuckle, and his smile seemed full of sarcasm.

The laughter was very light, but it was heard by the remaining people.

Zhan Yue remained calm, not even raising his eyebrows, pretending he hadn't heard anything. Zhan Shaoying, on the other hand, turned pale and clenched his fingers slightly.

"This will not be an exception next time." Zhan Yue ignored Zhan Shaoying and said to the Jinwu Guard, "Go and get the Ten Army Sticks. If you do it again, you don't have to come to see me."

The Jinwu Guard thought that this matter would not end well, but he did not expect that it could be solved with just ten military sticks. He breathed a sigh of relief and said quickly, "Yes!"

"Stand up and send this Lord Zhan back." Zhan Yue smiled, "Duke Anguo has 79 direct relatives in the capital. If anyone comes to visit, say they are my relatives, will you let everyone in?"

"If this is true, who will protect your highness's safety?" Zhan Yue's tone suddenly sank.

The Jinwu Guards hurriedly shook their heads and said repeatedly: "I promise I will never do it again!"

Zhan Yue lightly hummed, he brushed off the dust on his robe, it seemed as if he could no longer see Zhan Shaoying in his eyes, his gaze passed straight past him.

The Jinwu Guard who had been kneeling for a long time slowly stood up. He wiped his face and said to Zhan Shaoying with a half-smile: "Master Zhan, please don't embarrass me."

He spoke politely, but one hand slowly rested on the hilt of the knife. It seemed that if Zhan Shaoying made any improper move, he would pull the knife out of the sheath.

Zhan Shaoying's jade-white face turned more and more purple after the two of them talked and acted several times. He raised his eyes and glanced at Jiashan beside him.

Jiashan had an oval face, almond eyes, rosy cheeks, and a faint smile at the corner of her mouth. But that bright and beautiful gaze was never on him.

Zhan Shaoying felt disheartened. He immediately withdrew his gaze, bowed to Jiashan, and slowly retreated.

"Wait a moment."

As the two figures slowly moved away, Jiashan suddenly spoke.

Zhan Shaoying turned around hurriedly, and he turned sideways to face her, with hope in his eyes.

Zhan Yue's breathing almost stopped for a moment. His gaze was neither salty nor cold, but the corner of his eye was fixed on Jiashan.

Is she... is she trying to keep Zhan Shaoying? Thinking of the possibility that she and Zhan Shaoying might get married in the future, Zhan Yue's eyes suddenly turned cold.

Jiashan looked at Zhan Yue with a smile, his eyes frankly: "Master Zhan is strict in his rule. Originally, I shouldn't have said this."

Zhan Yue was listening attentively. After hearing Jia Shan's words, he calmed down and said slowly, "What do you mean, Your Highness?"

"For my sake, your Excellency should spare the young guard from the punishment of the military stick." Jiashan said, "I think he has good intentions, but he is also afraid of messing up your family affairs. Of course, I understand that your Excellency is justified in punishing him."

"However, the guards that you brought to Changchun Temple are few in number," Jiashan explained. "If any treacherous person really comes, the injured people may not be able to help."

The Jinwu Guard probably didn't expect the princess to speak up for him, so he said quickly, "Your Highness, I appreciate your kindness, but since I did something wrong, I deserve to be punished."

He turned around and said to Zhan Yue: "Besides, my Lord has shown mercy, and I am sincerely convinced."

His words stunned Jiashan. Jiashan glanced at Zhan Yue and seemed to understand why he would have such a high reputation in the army in the future.

Jiashan said with a smile: "Master Zhan is indeed a good ruler."

Zhan Yue looked at her: "It should be."

"These days, I feel safe and secure with your protection, sir." Jiashan bowed slightly to Zhan Yue. Her smile was bright and brilliant like the stars in the sky.

Zhan Shaoying, who was standing by, was almost distracted. It was only after the Jinwu Guard reminded him that he remembered to go out.

The eldest princess...

The princess is so pretty.

Zhan Shaoying wondered in a daze, would she still marry him?

Zhan Shaoying suddenly felt very powerless, as if some things he thought he could control were gradually having nothing to do with him.

He lowered his head and looked at his palm, which was marked with several fingerprints left by his own fingernails.

He only knew that he seemed to like the eldest princess very much.

So, what about the eldest princess?

Zhan Shaoying didn't dare to think further. For some reason, his thoughts drifted to Zhan Yue, who was as beautiful as spring plums and snow. The eldest princess seemed to treat her fourth uncle better than she treated herself.

Zhan Shaoying's eyes sank slightly, and his steps on the road were heavy, each step heavier than the last.

Is he no better than Fourth Uncle?

Thinking of the graceful and elegant Zhan Yue just now, Zhan Shaoying couldn't help but blush.