Chapter 146: Heading North (3)

How could Shen Xiling, a delicate young girl, have had time to dodge? She was struck hard on the arm by the rolling pin before she even felt the pain. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the person approach again to hit her. Amidst the clamor, she only managed to pull the little beggar into her arms for protection, then turned her back to shield the child with her own body.

The little beggar cried loudly in her arms. Shen Xiling was also scared, especially as the entire street gathered around to watch the commotion, making her feel even more isolated and helpless. But there was nothing she could do except close her eyes tightly and wait for the pain to come.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, the crowd gasped. The anticipated pain did not fall upon her; instead, the shopkeeper who had attacked her let out a pained cry. Shen Xiling was startled and quickly turned her head to see a man behind her, single-handedly subduing the shopkeeper. With just a slight squeeze on the shopkeeper’s arm, the latter screamed in agony, dropping the rolling pin, unable to continue his assault.

This sudden turn of events naturally caused the onlookers to exclaim in surprise. Moreover, the man who had intervened was quite a sight to behold. He was tall and upright, as majestic as a pine tree, with a face like finely carved jade, sharp eyebrows, and piercing eyes. Though young, he exuded a calm and composed demeanor. His stern expression showed as he spoke gravely, “Bullying women and children is quite bold indeed. How dare you act so recklessly under the emperor’s nose!”

At that time, Shen Xiling did not recognize him, but this man was Gu Juhán, the only son of the Yan Duke of Northern Wei, renowned alongside Qi Ying as “Nan Qi Bei Gu.”

Gu Xiaojun truly lived up to his military lineage. Though it appeared he exerted little effort, the shopkeeper writhed in pain, pleading for mercy and crying out, “I know my mistake! Please forgive me, Master!”

Gu Juhán’s expression remained unchanged, but he glanced at Shen Xiling. She was surprised to see him release the shopkeeper from his grip. Just as the shopkeeper began to breathe a sigh of relief, Gu Juhán kicked him in the knee, causing him to collapse directly in front of Shen Xiling.

Before Shen Xiling could react, Gu Juhán addressed the shopkeeper, “If you already acknowledge your mistake, sincerely apologize. Why seek my forgiveness?”

The shopkeeper, who had earlier bullied Shen Xiling for being a frail girl, now dared not act rashly with Gu Juhán present. Without any regard for his dignity, he kowtowed repeatedly to Shen Xiling, berating himself profusely.

Shen Xiling’s arm still stung from where the rolling pin had struck her, but she had no intention of pressing charges or making a scene. After all, they were in Shangjing, the capital of another country, and it was better to avoid trouble and keep peace.

After some thought, Shen Xiling decided to handle the matter lightly, refraining from scolding the shopkeeper further. She simply asked him to compensate with a few meat buns for the little beggar to eat.

Hearing this, the shopkeeper was overjoyed and immediately agreed, handing over an entire basket of buns. The little beggar was ecstatic, greedily devouring one bun in each hand, clearly famished.

Seeing the child’s joy, Shen Xiling felt somewhat comforted. She patted the child’s head, allowing her to take all the buns, and handed her some loose coins. The beggar, unfamiliar with etiquette, forgot to thank Shen Xiling and ran off happily with the money and buns.

With that, the matter should have been resolved. Shen Xiling intended to thank Gu Juhán and leave, but to her surprise, he lifted the shopkeeper again, intending to take him to the authorities.

This caused not only the shopkeeper to wail dramatically but also startled Shen Xiling, who hurriedly said, “There’s no need for such trouble. He has already compensated us with a basket of buns. Let’s consider this matter settled without involving the officials…”

Gu Juhán looked at Shen Xiling, his brows furrowed.

He had noticed her accent—soft and melodic Wu dialect, unmistakably from the Southern Dynasty. She was gentle and delicate, like the most precious flower nurtured by the gentle winds and drizzle of Jiangnan. One couldn’t help but want to protect her more.

He understood she didn’t want to escalate the situation, assuming she feared further bullying. Thus, he reassured her, “Young Miss, worry not. Great Wei is not a land of barbarians; we have strict laws. The authorities will handle this fairly without bias.”

Pausing slightly, he added, “If the young miss prefers not to involve the authorities, I can handle it on her behalf.”

Did he think she was afraid of seeing officials?

Shen Xiling had been by Qi Ying’s side for four years, often encountering high-ranking officials due to him. Moreover, she had spent some time at the Qi family estate during her childhood, meeting prominent figures like the Left Chancellor of Liang. Truthfully, she wasn’t afraid of officials; she merely wished to avoid trouble.

She was deeply grateful to this man and recognized his upright character, but she declined his offer politely. Seeing her resolve, Gu Juhán didn’t insist further. He released the shopkeeper, who fled in panic, leaving his stall unattended.

Witnessing this, the onlookers realized the spectacle was over and dispersed. Shen Xiling stepped forward, bowing slightly to express her gratitude to Gu Juhán.

He returned the gesture. Just as Shen Xiling was about to leave, he called her back. Turning to look at him, her forehead adorned with a red mole resembling intricate floral makeup, her enchanting eyes concealed the misty allure of Jiangnan. One glance left Gu Juhán somewhat flustered.

Clearing his throat to maintain composure, he said to Shen Xiling, “Young Miss doesn’t seem to be a local of Shangjing. If you need someone to guide you, I am willing to assist.”

Finishing his words, he subtly nodded towards the direction the shopkeeper had fled.

Shen Xiling paused, understanding his kindness. He was concerned the shopkeeper might return with vengeance once he left, potentially harming her again.

Such goodwill deeply moved Shen Xiling.

She was always reluctant to trouble others, preferring fewer complications. However, being in a foreign land without companions, she was genuinely afraid. Her arm had grown numb from the pain, and if faced with another incident, she wouldn’t know what to do. After much contemplation, she accepted Gu Juhán’s offer gratefully, saying, “In that case, I’ll trouble you.”

Shen Xiling had originally purchased the fruits she needed, but amidst the chaos, they had fallen and become inedible. She had to buy them again. Gu Juhán accompanied her, intending to escort her back to her residence.

Unwilling to disclose her destination—the Envoy’s Villa—Shen Xiling planned to part ways after walking a few streets. To avoid awkward silence, they engaged in light conversation.

Glancing at the woman beside him, Gu Juhán asked, “Young Miss is from Jiangnan?”

After a brief hesitation, Shen Xiling nodded, replying, “I’m from Jiankang.”

His eyebrows raised slightly, surprised. He nodded, politely praising Jiankang’s talent and scenic beauty. Then he inquired about her reason for visiting Shangjing. Shen Xiling, not wanting to elaborate, simply mentioned accompanying her family without providing specifics.

She hadn’t lied—Qi Ying was indeed her family, and soon he would be her husband.

Thinking of this, a sweet smile graced her lips, reminiscent of blossoms half-open and wine slightly intoxicating. It was subtly captivating, stirring emotions within those who beheld her.

Gu Juhán averted his gaze slightly, deliberately avoiding such striking beauty. After a moment, he said, “The people of the north are generally virtuous, but recent defeats have left them anxious and resentful… I hope the young miss won’t hold it against us.”

There was a subtle implication in his words.

The shopkeeper was merely a commoner, unrelated to Gu Juhán. Yet his words seemed to take responsibility for the shopkeeper’s actions, carrying a nuanced meaning—as if he felt accountable for the behavior of someone unrelated.

Such conduct reminded Shen Xiling faintly of Qi Ying, yet distinctly different. Unable to pinpoint the exact difference, she dismissed further thoughts and nodded to Gu Juhán, saying, “There’s no distinction between Jiangnan and Jiangbei. Great Wei is a land of grandeur. I won’t dwell on what happened.”

Gu Juhán smiled at her response and cautiously inquired about her injury, glancing at her arm.

Though he arrived late and didn’t witness the attack, his military background made him particularly sensitive to injuries. He had noticed Shen Xiling’s unnatural movement of her left arm, prompting his question.

Shen Xiling was surprised that despite her efforts to conceal it, he had discerned the truth. Unwilling to discuss her injury with a stranger, she briefly brushed it off, saying, “It’s just a minor scrape, nothing to worry about.”

Gu Juhán’s keen perception didn’t miss the reality, and he understood her reluctance to elaborate. Nevertheless, seeing her delicate and fragile demeanor, he couldn’t help but offer more advice, pausing before saying, “Helping others is commendable, but human nature is complex, especially in bustling markets. In the future, prioritize your safety above all.”

Though unaware of the full context, he observed her protecting the little beggar during the confrontation and showing leniency after being offended, only asking for compensation in food and giving some coins to the child. Hearing her Jiangnan accent, it wasn’t difficult to piece together the events.

Being charitable is admirable, but she should prioritize her own safety.

Shen Xiling recognized the concern in Gu Juhán’s words, feeling even more grateful. Initially thinking the people of Wei were mostly rough, she hadn’t expected to encounter such a gentleman.

Her wariness towards him gradually eased, and she offered him a sincere smile, adding warmth to her response, “Your words are very true. Thank you.”

That genuine smile brightened her already enchanting appearance, making her appear even more beautiful and mesmerizing. Gu Juhán’s palms began to sweat. Clearing his throat, he hesitated before asking, “May I inquire about your esteemed name?”

Had they been in Jiankang, Shen Xiling would have honestly introduced herself as Fang Yun. But now, in Shangjing, she felt she had escaped Jiankang and would soon leave with Qi Ying, never to return. Those tangled past events seemed irrelevant to her now.

Feeling a sense of liberation and a hint of boldness, she hesitated briefly before answering, “My name is… Shen Xiling.”

Shen Xiling.

Her long-forgotten true name.

Xiling…

Gu Juhán had never been to Jiangnan, only hearing tales of its picturesque landscapes and dreamlike mist, starkly different from the bleakness of the north. Suzhou and Hangzhou were said to be breathtakingly beautiful. Xiling seemed to be a place name, imbued with the unique softness and shimmer of the West Lake, truly… fitting for her.

Gu Juhán’s expression softened, his gaze towards Shen Xiling carrying a subtle nuance. He felt his palms grow warmer, and he wanted to exchange names with her—a rare act for someone of his status. Yet, he genuinely desired to…

Unfortunately, before he could speak, the sound of carriage wheels and jingling bells approached from behind. Hearing the noise, Shen Xiling immediately turned her head, her enchanting eyes lighting up brilliantly, too captivating to look away from.

Following her gaze, he saw a man slowly stepping out of the carriage. Upon seeing him, Shen Xiling’s smile brightened, and she quickly ran towards him, joyful like a fluttering bird. Approaching, she seemed to hesitate, stopping two steps away to bow respectfully, calling him formally “Master.”

Gu Juhán had no doubt that if no one had been around, she would have rushed into the man’s arms.

As he pondered this, he saw the man lift his eyes to meet his. The man possessed stunning phoenix-like eyes and wore the official attire of Liang. Surprised at first, his expression soon returned to calm, though his gaze remained heavy.

Nodding at him, the man said, “General Gu, a pleasure to meet you.”