Chapter 24: Shelter (2)

The young man before her wore a charming smile, his demeanor exuding flirtation and allure. Yet, there was an unmistakable glint of curiosity in his peach-blossom eyes that made Shen Xiling feel deeply uneasy. She leaned back slightly to create some distance, unsure how to respond to his probing questions, and chose to remain silent. The man didn’t seem bothered by her silence, merely chuckling softly as he straightened up and said, “Ah, I almost forgot to introduce myself—I’m Han Feichi, a close friend of Lord Qi.”

Shen Xiling had no idea who Han Feichi was, but she understood the significance of the surname “Han” in Jiangzuo, especially in Jiankang. Among the four great families—Qi, Shen, Fu, and Han—the Shen family had already fallen, leaving the Hans as one of the three remaining noble houses. This man, who claimed familiarity with Qi Ying, was likely a legitimate son of the Han family.

However, Shen Xiling paid little heed to such distinctions. To her, aristocratic sons and commoners were much the same, especially after witnessing the downfall of her own family. She viewed the prestige and influence of noble families as fleeting illusions, unworthy of admiration or pursuit. Thus, her expression remained calm as she gave a shallow bow to the man who called himself Han Feichi, offering a polite greeting without further comment.

The man raised an eyebrow, finding Shen Xiling’s demeanor intriguing. He strolled over to admire the plum blossoms on the tree, casually asking, “Do you know why that maid suddenly left you?”

Shen Xiling hesitated, then replied, “Naturally, because she was busy.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “No, that’s not it.” Leaning closer, he continued, “She asked if you had any connection with Lord Qi, and you said no. Then she asked if you knew Bai Song, and again, you denied it. Though Fenghe Garden isn’t as grand as the main Qi residence, it still belongs to a noble household. If you truly have no ties here and are merely a passerby, why would she bother caring for you? It makes sense that she’d leave.”

Shen Xiling fell silent.

The man closely observed her expression, noting that she neither showed surprise nor anger, but instead remained composed, as though she had already anticipated his words. Intrigued, he raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself: Could this girl, despite her youth, possess remarkable insight?

Smiling faintly, he asked, “So, you’ve already figured it out?”

Shen Xiling glanced up at him, pausing briefly before replying softly, “I don’t require others to expend effort on my behalf—I can take care of myself. Besides, she was right. I truly have no connections here and am nothing more than a passerby. If she were to treat me too kindly, it would only make me feel uncomfortable.”

Her gaze was simple and unassuming, yet her beauty was striking. Even the mere act of lifting her eyes sent a ripple through the observer’s heart, and the red mole on her brow stood out vividly against the backdrop of white plum blossoms. The man noticed her enchanting appearance contrasted with her calm, measured words, which only deepened his fascination.

Leaning against the plum tree, he laughed lightly. “While your reasoning may hold, that maid lacks discernment. She failed to consider what kind of person her master is. Why would he take in a stranger and allow her to recuperate in his private residence without reason?”

As he spoke, his gaze sharpened with curiosity. Stepping closer, he bent down to look at her, his tone teasing yet probing. “There must be some significant connection between you and Lord Qi. Or could it be…” His lips curled into a sly smirk. “…that he kept you here simply because you’re so lovely?”

Though his words carried a playful lilt, the sharpness in his eyes was unsettling. Shen Xiling felt a pang of fear, unsure how to escape his scrutiny. Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the tension. The man straightened and turned around, while Shen Xiling instinctively rose from the stone bench, raising her eyes to see none other than Qi Ying emerging from behind the plum blossoms.

This marked the third time Shen Xiling had encountered him.

She didn’t remember Qi Ying visiting her on New Year’s Eve, only recalling their first meeting on the snowy street and their brief encounter in the forgotten room. This was their third meeting. Though she harbored some fear of him—likely due to the cold disdain she had seen in his eyes during their second encounter—her memories of him were otherwise positive. Almost every time they met, he had saved her. However, she hadn’t expected to see him here and now, and the sudden appearance of his figure brought an unexpected calm to her heart, soothing her earlier apprehension.

Today, he wore a pristine white robe, appearing exceptionally elegant and gentle. It was the first time Shen Xiling had seen him dressed in white, and she found herself momentarily transfixed. Qi Ying seemed to glance at her fleetingly, his gaze lingering just long enough to catch her attention. Behind him stood Bai Song and Qingzhu, the young boy who served him. Neither of them looked at her; instead, they knelt before the man, addressing him respectfully: “Your Highness, Fourth Prince.”

Shen Xiling froze.

Fourth Prince?

Realization dawned on her. This man wasn’t merely a noble scion of the Han family—he was none other than Xiao Ziheng, the fourth son of the reigning emperor.

She turned her gaze to the prince, who didn’t appear offended by being exposed. Instead, his fox-like smile widened, brimming with mischief. Turning to Qi Ying, he teased, “What impeccable timing! You’ve interrupted my conversation with this little miss.”

Still somewhat bewildered, Shen Xiling felt a wave of awkwardness wash over her. She stole a glance at Qi Ying, who merely smiled faintly without responding. Instead, he said, “Everyone else has arrived, Your Highness. Perhaps you’d like to join us.”

Xiao Ziheng let out a soft snort, casting a sidelong glance at Shen Xiling before grinning at Qi Ying. “Today, I’ve stumbled upon quite the amusing situation. You’ll need to think carefully about how to explain this to Miss Zi Yu.”

Qi Ying chuckled softly and shook his head. Xiao Ziheng, hands clasped behind his back, began walking in the opposite direction. Qi Ying instructed Qingzhu, “Escort His Highness to the rear garden.”

Qingzhu bowed deeply and hurried after the prince, their figures soon disappearing behind the flowering shrubs. Bai Song’s gaze lingered briefly on Qi Ying and Shen Xiling before he discreetly withdrew, leaving the two of them alone.

It was strange—when others were present, Qi Ying’s appearance brought Shen Xiling a sense of security. But now, with no one else around, she felt a nervous tension creep in. Standing somewhat stiffly, her fingers tightly intertwined, she kept her head bowed.

Qi Ying gazed at Shen Xiling.

Since New Year’s Eve, Qi Ying had been occupied with court duties, family visits, and official paperwork. It was only today that he found some respite, returning to Fenghe Garden to meet with friends. After several days, the girl had grown thinner still, even more so than when she first arrived at Fenghe Garden. However, compared to her condition on New Year’s Eve, she had improved considerably, regaining some vitality. Under the bright sun, a thin layer of sweat glistened on her forehead, likely from exertion. A faint blush colored her cheeks, indicating her health was much better.

She seemed afraid of him, keeping her head lowered. Qi Ying surmised that her fear stemmed from his stern demeanor during their previous encounters, which might have left a negative impression. Silently sighing, he took a step closer to her.