Chapter 5: Holding Hands

 

“Your Highness, someone has been following us.”

 

Cheng Hai glanced back, gripping his sword hilt tightly, his eyes filled with a cold, murderous intent.

 

He had already cleared out the spies around the palace, and those who hadn’t been caught had retreated. He didn’t expect that there would still be some following them this time.

 

“No need to worry, someone will take care of it.”

 

Shen Yian chuckled lightly in the carriage.

 

Those old guys in the imperial court were really interesting. Ever since he moved from the palace to the prince’s mansion, they couldn’t even let him have a moment of peace, wanting to know even when he went to the bathroom.

 

Sending these useless spies was just a test to see how deep the water was.

 

Among them were people from the Crown Prince’s party, a few princes’ people, and some fence-sitters.

 

Flies?

 

Just swat them dead; otherwise, they would only multiply.

 

The carriage moved forward slowly, and Shen Yian suddenly lifted the curtain to glance at the unknown dark alley.

 

Sounds of blades piercing flesh came from the alley, followed by a faint smell of blood.

 

Fu Sheng stood deep in the alley, bowed, and then disappeared into the darkness again.

 

Shen Yian nodded and let the curtain fall.

 

This was Tianwu City, where the emperor’s eyes were upon them, and every day, some pitiful people died in the struggle for power among the high-ranking officials.

 

“Your Highness, we’ve arrived at the Duke of State’s residence.”

 

“Ah.”

 

With Cheng Hai’s support, Shen Yian stepped down from the carriage.

 

“Your Highness the King of Chu has come to visit us. I’m ashamed to have not welcomed you properly!”

 

Ye Tiance hurried out upon hearing the report from the steward.

 

“General Ye, I was in a hurry last time, so I specially prepared some small gifts this time. I hope you won’t mind.”

 

“Your Highness is too polite, bringing gifts to my humble abode.”

 

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Ye Tiance’s smile grew even more radiant.

 

Shen Yian had often visited his residence as a child to play with Liyan, and the two had grown up together under his care.

 

He might know Shen Yian even better than the emperor, and precisely because of that, he was at ease leaving Liyan in Shen Yian’s care.

 

Later, the Sixth Prince suddenly left Tianwu City. Seeing his granddaughter becoming increasingly thin, he was worried for a long time and even sent many people to look for him.

 

If not for the occasional letters that came, proving Shen Yian was safe, his poor granddaughter might have fallen ill from longing.

 

He couldn’t help but feel that time had passed quickly. The former Sixth Prince had grown into the King of Chu.

 

“Please come in, haha.” Ye Tiance led the way, with Shen Yian following behind.

 

In the main hall, the old man and the young man exchanged a few pleasantries.

 

Ye Tiance knew Shen Yian’s intentions, and as an old man, he wouldn’t get involved in the young couple’s affairs.

 

Taking this opportunity, he went to instruct the head chef to prepare a good dinner for Shen Yian’s arrival.

 

“Your Highness, I still have some matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave for a while.”

 

“You go ahead, General Ye.”

 

“Ah, and Your Highness, my granddaughter is waiting for you in the study. You can go on your own.”

 

As a military general, he wasn’t good at beating around the bush and speaking in a roundabout way. He was more direct and to the point.

 

This sentence made Shen Yian’s face turn red.

 

“You’re too kind, General Ye…”

 

“No need to be polite, Your Highness. I’ll go attend to my matters…”

 

In the study, Jinxiu and Jinlian, the two maids, peeked out from the door, looking around curiously.

 

“Sister Xiu, is the King of Chu handsome?”

 

“Didn’t you see him last time?”

 

Jinlian looked a bit disappointed. “I was standing too far away and didn’t get a good look.”

 

“Let’s put it this way, the young master is unparalleled in the world, and the woman is as beautiful as jade. These are the most appropriate words to describe His Royal Highness the King of Chu and the young lady~”

 

“Sister Xiu… I don’t understand…”

 

“You usually fall asleep when reading with mistress, don’t you?”

 

Jinxiu rolled her eyes and pinched Jinlian’s small face.

 

“I know I was wrong.”

 

“Jinxiu, Jinlian, stop fooling around. If the King of Chu sees you, it won’t be good for your reputation.” Ye Liyan couldn’t help but scold.

 

“We know we were wrong.” The two girls quickly bowed their heads.

 

“Ah, what’s going on here?”

 

Shen Yian entered the study, and upon seeing the scene before him, he couldn’t help but smile.

 

“The maids pay their respects to the King of Chu.” The two girls quickly bowed.

 

Jinlian looked up at Shen Yian with a mixture of curiosity and admiration, her heart suddenly understanding the meaning of “the Young Master is unparalleled in the world.”

 

The boy in front of her, with his extraordinary appearance and unparalleled aura, was like a celestial being who had walked out of a painting. His eyebrows and eyes seemed to radiate an otherworldly aura, and his smile could make people feel like they were basking in the warmth of spring.

 

Even Jinxiu, who had grown up with her mistress, was stunned. How had she not noticed that the King of Chu was so handsome?

 

Shen Yian also didn’t realize that his increased strength and the changes in his aura, combined with his handsome face, would have such a devastating effect on ordinary people.

 

“Liyan pays her respects to His Highness the King of Chu.” Ye Liyan also bowed her head, following the two maids.

 

Did the King of Chu just see her scolding Jinxiu?

 

Would he think she was a cruel and bad woman?

 

Wu wu wu… what to do…

 

“No need to bow.”

 

Shen Yian smiled helplessly, feeling that the more he grew up, the more complicated the etiquette became.

 

In the past, Ye Liyan would have already run over to him, laughing and playing.

 

“Jinxiu (lian), you can leave now.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

After the two girls left, Shen Yian looked at Ye Liyan and couldn’t help but blame her: “Why are you obsessed with it again?”

 

“Your Highness, I…”

 

Ye Liyan was about to speak when she felt a gentle breeze blowing on her face. The black silk ribbon that was wrapped around her fell off, illuminating her eyes.

 

Shen Yian covered her eyes with his large hand, saying, “Take it easy, don’t hurt your eyes.”

 

“Yes… Your Highness.” Ye Liyan’s ears turned red as she responded, her voice not as clear and cold as usual.

 

Looking at the exceptional beauty in front of him, Shen Yian’s thoughts wandered.

 

Perhaps in the past, he was just being reckless and wanted to go against the trend, thinking that if everyone was chasing the female lead, he would chase the demon queen.

 

But as he spent more time with her, he discovered that he had completely fallen in love with this silly and naive girl.

 

Silly girl, don’t worry, with him by her side, everything that was supposed to happen in the original story would never happen.

 

After a long time, Ye Liyan suddenly felt a brightness in front of her, and the face she had been thinking about day and night appeared before her, and her eyes couldn’t help but redden.

 

She thought to herself, Ye Liyan, you must hold back, don’t cry! Today is a happy day, don’t ruin the King of Chu’s mood.

 

“Last time I came in a hurry and didn’t get to spend much time with you, sorry about that.” Shen Yian couldn’t help but pause, her eyes were still so beautiful.

 

Last time, he had just ended his confinement and was awarded the title of King, and because he missed her, he took the opportunity to visit the Duke of State’s residence.

 

He exchanged a few pleasantries with the Ye family, but before Ye Tiance could persuade him to stay, Mendu hurried over to call him back.

 

“Your Highness’s visit makes me very happy.”

 

Ye Liyan shook her small head, her face as pink as a peach blossom, extremely adorable.

 

Shen Yian hesitated for a moment, then reached out and grasped her small hand.

 

He could clearly feel Ye Liyan’s body tremble slightly, her face flushing, but without any intention of resisting.

 

Ancient feudal background, oh…

 

Men and women are not allowed to touch each other, and if they are seen holding hands, the scholars will criticize and denigrate them as if they had lost their parents.

 

If this were in his previous life, he wouldn’t just hold hands, he would… ahem…

 

“Let’s go sit in the pavilion by the lake, and I’ll tell you some interesting stories about the martial arts world.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.” Ye Liyan’s blue eyes sparkled.

 

Feeling the warmth from his hand, her eyes flashed with a hint of shyness.