In the early morning in Jiangnan, a thin mist, like gauze, enveloped the figures reluctant to part in front of the Jingwang Mansion.
Shen Wensong, dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, stood tall and straight like a drawn sword, bidding farewell to his sister, Shen Yuewei. Shen Yuewei had recovered well after childbirth and looked much better. Holding Kang Kang, wrapped in an apricot-yellow swaddle, her eyes were full of reluctance.
“Sister, there are many matters to attend to in the capital, and the Emperor is urging me to return. I must go back.” Shen Wensong’s voice was low as he looked at his sister and his infant nephew. A rare touch of warmth appeared between his usually cold and hard brows. “You, An’an, and Kang’an must take good care of yourselves. I will come to see you again when I have time.”
Shen Yuewei gently pulled An'an and Kang Kang's little hands out of their swaddling clothes and handed them to the younger brother: "Come on, Kang Kang, say goodbye to your uncle." Kang Kang opened his big, dark eyes in a daze, his little hands scratching unconsciously. "Goodbye, Third Uncle, An'an will miss you." Xiao Chengjing held the hand of 6-year-old An'an.
This scene, witnessed by Xiao Mingyu who was being helped into a carriage by a palace maid not far away, struck her heart like a blow. She had never seen Shen Wensong with such tenderness; the way he gazed intently at his young nephew was almost suffocating. Yet, this tenderness was not for her. A wave of bitterness and grievance washed over her instantly. She abruptly turned her head, defiantly climbed into the carriage, and forcefully pulled down the curtain.
Father Shen, Mother Shen, Shen Wenbai, and Lin Qingwan also gathered around, earnestly urging Shen Wensong to be careful on the road and comforting Xiao Mingyu. Mother Shen even held Xiao Mingyu's hand and said softly, "Your Highness, please take care on your journey. Jiangnan welcomes you to come again anytime."
Xiao Mingyu responded in a muffled voice through the carriage curtain.
The wheels rolled on, and the two groups embarked on their return journey once more. Shen Wensong's group was still in front, with Xiao Mingyu's magnificent entourage trailing behind. However, this time, Xiao Mingyu in the carriage no longer gazed longingly ahead. Instead, she hugged a soft pillow, watching the scenery rushing past the window, her small face filled with frustration and resentment.
Reaching a mountain path, nearing noon, the group stopped to rest on a relatively gentle slope. The terrain here was steep, with dense forest on one side and a bottomless cliff on the other, separated only by a narrow, loose stone path. A biting mountain wind whipped the banners fluttering wildly.
Feeling restless and aching from sitting, Xiao Mingyu ignored the maids' advice and insisted on getting out of the carriage for some fresh air. She walked to the side near the cliff, gazing at the distant, verdant mountains and the mist swirling in the deep valleys, trying to ease the tightness in her chest. The mountain wind was fierce, ruffling her hair and skirt.
Just then, I slipped on the gravel that the wind had whipped up!
"Ah—!" A short, terrified scream shattered the tranquility of the moment!
Xiao Mingyu felt her footing suddenly give way, her body instantly losing its balance, and she uncontrollably fell towards the edge of the cliff! Everything happened too fast; the palace maid beside her only had time to let out a shrill scream: "Princess—!"
At this critical moment!
A figure in black, like an arrow released from a bow, swooped down from several feet away with a piercing shriek that tore through the air! It was Shen Wensong!
He had no time to think; his body's instincts outpaced his consciousness. Just as Xiao Mingyu's body was about to completely plunge off the cliff edge, he threw himself to the ground, one arm gripping Xiao Mingyu's wrist like an iron clamp! The immense force of the fall dragged him violently towards the edge, rocks tumbling down, his body almost half-suspended in mid-air!
"Hold on tight!" Shen Wensong's voice was hoarse and urgent like never before. Veins bulged on his forehead, and his other hand gripped a protruding rock tightly. His knuckles turned white from the force and even bled! All his strength was concentrated on the arm that was holding Xiao Mingyu. The muscles in his arm were bulging and almost tore his clothes apart.
Xiao Mingyu was terrified, her body dangling above the abyss, supported only by Shen Wensong's arm. She looked up and met Shen Wensong's eyes, bloodshot from the exertion, yet burning with an astonishing light. His eyes held shock, anger, lingering fear, and an undeniable determination to pull her back from hell! She had never seen him so distraught, so... reckless.
"General!" "Princess!" The guards and palace maids finally reacted, crying and rushing to the edge of the cliff. They helped each other, and together they dragged the still-shaken Xiao Mingyu and the almost exhausted Shen Wensong up.
Xiao Mingyu collapsed to the ground, trembling all over, her face ashen white. Her wrists ached from Shen Wensong's grip, yet strangely, she felt a sense of relief, as if she had survived a calamity. Still shaken, she looked at Shen Wensong.
Shen Wensong knelt on one knee, breathing heavily, his chest heaving. Ignoring the scrapes on his arms and hands, his gaze was piercing, fixed on Xiao Mingyu. His eyes were so sharp they seemed to pierce through her, and his voice was hoarse with the pain of surviving a close call and an barely suppressed rage: "Your Highness! This place is dangerous! How could you be so careless?! If I had arrived even a moment later..." He didn't finish his sentence, but the fear and lingering anger in his eyes made Xiao Mingyu's heart tremble. She forgot her grievances and was left only with lingering fear.
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