Chapter 56: Would You Like Some Candied Haws?

“Your Highness, King of Chu?!” 

A’Fu was stunned seeing two carriages in front of the Duke’s mansion.

He’d heard that the King of Chu had been resting at his palace due to illness, but seeing him now, how could this vibrant appearance be that of someone just recovered from a serious illness?

After exchanging pleasantries, A’Fu said apologetically, “Your Highness, you’ve come at an inconvenient time. Both the Duke and the young miss are not in the mansion.”

Shen Yian had expected Ye Tiance to be absent, but the silly girl wasn’t home either?!

“What happened?” Shen Yian’s brows furrowed, his tone instantly becoming serious.

A’Fu hastily explained, “The Duke has been at the palace these past few days, and the young miss just went out shopping with some young ladies from other families.”

“The young miss specifically told this old servant that Your Highness taught her not to ‘ghost’ people after accepting an invitation.”

The young miss had even explained the meaning of “ghosting” to him, which sounded quite interesting.

Hearing this, Shen Yian’s brow relaxed, and he couldn’t help but sigh in relief. The spirit-nurturing jar incident had made him a bit tense. He asked, “Where did they go shopping?”

He felt quite helpless inwardly. The silly girl not only remembered but even spread it around, making it seem like he spent every day studying such peculiar phrases.

His reputation had been damaged; it couldn’t be forgiven without three kisses.

“This… this old servant doesn’t know,” A’Fu shook his head.

He had no right to inquire about the young miss’s affairs.

“Then I won’t disturb you further.”

Shen Yian glanced sideways; all the local specialties had already been unloaded from the carriage.

Should he go find the silly girl now?

Never mind, he’d first see what the situation was and act accordingly.

“Have a safe journey, Your Highness!”

A’Fu called out respectfully, looking down at the local specialties curiously: “Where did His Highness buy all these? How is this northern yellow lamb as fresh as if it were just slaughtered?”

The two carriages returned to the prince’s mansion, while Shen Yian and Cheng Hai got off midway to continue on foot.

After locking onto Ye Liyan’s group’s location with his divine sense, Shen Yian quickened his pace, leading Cheng Hai.

North Market.

“Sister Ye, come quickly and try these grilled river shrimp, they’re absolutely delicious!”

Qiu Lanlan, the youngest daughter of the Marquis of Xinwei, had just come of age last year. The sixteen-year-old girl was lively and cute, deeply loved by the Marquis.

Last time on the flower boat, it was she who actively brought her sisters to chat with Ye Liyan, and they had become quite familiar with each other.

Ye Liyan took the river shrimp Qiu Lanlan handed her, feeling a bit embarrassed: “Thank you.”

“Hehe, Sister Ye, no need to be so polite with me!”

“Over here! Wow! Someone’s performing fire-breathing here! Sister Ye! Yao Yao! Come quickly and see!”

Qiu Lanlan excitedly ran towards the rising flames she spotted in the distance.

“Oh Lanlan, running off again,” sighed Lu Lingyao, daughter of the Minister of Agriculture.

The girls exchanged helpless smiles and quickly followed in Lanlan’s direction.

“Ten skewers of grilled river shrimp, please. Here’s the money.”

Soon after, Shen Yian led Cheng Hai to the stall.

“Right away, sirs!”

“How long until they’re ready?” Shen Yian couldn’t help but urge, watching the girls’ retreating figures.

“Just a moment, sir! Please wait!”

Let me clarify, I’m not a stalker!

This was Ye Liyan’s first time shopping and playing with girls her age, a rare opportunity.

But these girls only brought their personal maids, not even a guard. What if they encountered some despicable flower-thief?

I’m just providing secret protection!

Thinking this, Shen Yian couldn’t help but smile. He was happy and gratified to see Ye Liyan gradually overcoming her social anxiety and making some good friends.

It would be even better if she could go out without wearing a veil in the future.

Ahead, as if sensing something, Ye Liyan instinctively turned to look back at the bustling street behind her. 

Her white veil fluttered slightly, her beautiful blue eyes hopefully searching for that familiar figure.

He wasn’t there…

“What’s wrong, Miss?” Jinxiu and Jinlian, following behind, curiously looked in the direction of their mistress’s gaze.

“No… nothing.” 

Ye Liyan shook her little head, her small hand unconsciously clutching her sleeve, her heart fluttering.

She couldn’t be mistaken. It was His Highness.

His Highness had returned safely.

“Sister Ye, Yao Yao, come quickly and see, this person is going to perform sword swallowing!”

“Sister Ye, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Lu Lingyao, noticing something off about Ye Liyan’s state, asked with concern.

“I’m fine, I just zoned out for a moment.”

Ye Liyan’s voice was soft, her beautiful eyes not forgetting to glance back towards the street once more.

“Sister Ye, let’s hurry over. I’m afraid Lanlan might get lost if we don’t.”

“Alright.”

Meanwhile, Shen Yian and Cheng Hai silently emerged from a small alley, holding the grilled river shrimp.

That was close, they almost got spotted.

“Your Highness, shall we continue following?” Cheng Hai couldn’t help but ask.

Given the situation just now, His Highness would’ve been seen if he’d taken a couple more steps.

“Yes,” Shen Yian answered decisively.

Having decided to provide secret protection, he couldn’t give up halfway.

A few minutes later, Cheng Hai, walking alone on the street, became increasingly stiff in his gait. Even his normally stoic face seemed on the verge of cracking.

His Highness had said he’d follow from the shadows, he seemed to then vanished, leaving Cheng Hai alone to trail behind.

In the shadows.

Shen Yian stood with his hands behind his back alongside Yin Hai on a pavilion rooftop, overlooking the entire street.

“Yin Hai, do you usually follow me in places like these?”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Yin Hai nodded, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

He worried about being seen with His Highness so openly in Tianwu City.

Shen Yian seemed to sense Yin Hai’s concern and put on a bronze mask.

“They’ve changed streets. Let’s follow.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After following for two streets, the girls, led by Qiu Lanlan, entered an elegant teahouse.

[Listening to Rain Pavilion]

Shen Yian wasn’t very familiar with it, having only visited twice before.

This place could be understood as a gathering spot for literati and scholars to showcase their talents, occasionally hiring famous storytellers.

“Snapped!”

Suddenly patted on the shoulder, Cheng Hai almost drew his sword in surprise.

“Y-Your Highness?”

“Why are you dazed? Follow me in for a look,” Shen Yian said with a smile.

Cheng Hai sighed softly and obediently followed behind Shen Yian.

“Gentlemen, may I ask if you have an invitation?” The teahouse attendant politely stopped the two and inquired.

“Invitation?”

“My apologies, gentlemen. The Listening to Rain Pavilion has been booked for a private event today. If you don’t have an invitation, I’m afraid you’ll have to come another day.”

“We don’t have an invitation, but will this do?” 

Shen Yian unfastened his golden waist token and winked.

“P-King of Chu?” The attendant gulped. A royal personage – someone he absolutely couldn’t afford to offend.

“I… I need to ask the guests who booked the venue…”

“No need, I’ll just take a quick look without disturbing them.”

“But…”

Shen Yian’s slight head shake made the attendant swallow his words.

“This is for you.”

The attendant, looking at the ten taels of silver in his hand, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Soon, Shen Yian led Cheng Hai back out.

“Your Highness… why did you come out so quickly?” The attendant felt the silver hadn’t even warmed in his hand yet.

“I said I’d just take a look, and that’s exactly what I did.”

Shen Yian chuckled. He was a man of his word, after all.

Inside, a storyteller had been invited. The young masters and misses exchanged greetings, then sat down to chat while waiting for everyone to arrive before the storytelling began.

“Cheng Hai, you can go back now. I’ll wander around by myself.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As the sun set, the evening clouds painted the streets with a golden-pink hue.

In the teahouse, the storyteller’s clapper sounded, signaling the story’s end. The young audience, immersed in the tale, came back to reality, savoring the experience.

“Ah~ That story was so interesting! But what kind of divine beast was that ‘motorcycle’? How could the hero riding it catch up to the Saint of War who could travel a hundred li in one breath on a bicycle?”

Qiu Lanlan’s face was full of wonder as she left the teahouse. The story was fascinating, but many of the magical treasures were unfamiliar to her, though they sounded incredibly powerful.

“Ahem…”

Someone’s awkward cough instantly drew the girls’ attention.

Shen Yian put down his half-eaten candied haw stick and awkwardly offered a fresh one, asking, “Uh, would you like some candied haws?”