Chapter Twenty: Foiled and Driven Away

Cen Changjing panicked and hurriedly waved her hands. "Brother, I didn't do this. How could I do something like that? It must have been because I slipped so suddenly... Sister must have misunderstood."

Yan Heru had to admire the little schemer before her, who managed to fabricate such an excuse in the blink of an eye.

"You say you slipped on your own, then what did you slip on?" Yan Heru pressed further.

Hearing this, Cen Changxiao looked at Cen Changjing again, making her even more nervous. "I don't know, maybe it was a small stone or something. I wasn't really paying attention at the time..."

Yan Heru smiled and walked up to her, glancing coolly at Cen Changxiao before turning to Cen Changjing. "Since you are Young Master Cen's sister, I'll let it go this time if you compensate me with the equivalent amount of silver. But if there's a next time, I promise I will kill you."

She leaned in and whispered the second half of the sentence slowly, right by Cen Changjing's ear on purpose.

Cen Changjing swallowed in fear, tugged lightly at her brother's sleeve, and said in a low voice, "Brother, whatever the reason, I did knock over those things. Let's just compensate Sister with some silver."

Cen Changxiao nodded, immediately producing some silver notes from his clothing and handing them to Yan Heru, who accepted them without hesitation and put them in her pouch.

"What are you all doing here?" A figure in a flame-red robe appeared in everyone's line of sight.

As soon as Cen Changjing saw Yan Heru approaching, it was as if she had found an outlet for her emotions, and she immediately began to sob.

Shen Hezhi frowned in displeasure at her tears and looked questioningly at Cen Changxiao. Cen Changxiao glanced awkwardly at Yan Heru, his expression practically stating outright:

Your consort made my sister cry.

Shen Hezhi's expression darkened at once. "Madam, is something the matter?"

"There was indeed an incident, but it's already been resolved. I don't wish to dwell on it any further, so let's leave it at that. I need to get back to sorting my herbs," Yan Heru replied, offering no explanation.

She crouched down to gather the herbs from the ground, and Shen Hezhi felt increasingly uncomfortable at her growing indifference toward him.

But what vexed him most at the moment was Cen Changjing. "I told you to find your brother—why are you here? I've already made it clear: no one is allowed in the herb garden except for my consort."

The latter part of his words was not directed at Cen Changjing, but rather at Cen Changxiao.

Cen Changxiao blushed under his gaze. Whatever the full story, he no longer wished to press the matter. Even if it was truly his sister's fault, he could never publicly rebuke her.

"This was my oversight. My sister lost her way while looking for me and ended up here," he explained.

The moment he finished, Yan Heru, who was still gathering herbs, let out a cold laugh, making him feel even more embarrassed.

Shen Hezhi cast a fleeting glance at Yan Heru, then turned back. "If she was lost, so be it—but let there be no next time. Otherwise, the punishment will be the same as for anyone else."

After speaking, he moved to Yan Heru's side, squatted down, and began helping her collect the scattered herbs.

His gesture made Yan Heru pause for a moment, but she did not stop. Though curious as to why Shen Hezhi would help her, she had no intention of asking.

Curiosity was one thing; seeking trouble was another. Yan Heru had no desire to know too much or to invite further complications into her life.

She only wanted to stay quietly in the Ninth Prince’s residence, treat His Highness’s illness, save up some silver, and then leave.

After all, Shen Hezhi did not care for her, nor did she for him. They had not even consummated their marriage, so she had every reason to leave.

Lost in her own thoughts, Yan Heru picked up the herbs. Shen Hezhi, too, was preoccupied.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Cen Changxiao decided it was best for him and his sister to leave, and quickly led her away from the herb garden.

But Cen Changjing remained in shock even as they left.

That was Shen Hezhi! He never did anything personally for anyone, not even for her... And yet now...

This only made her feel even more threatened. Before leaving, she gave Yan Heru a venomous glare, imprinting her image deep in her mind.

Once the two of them departed, an awkward silence settled over the courtyard. At that moment, Shen Hezhi’s hand happened to brush against Yan Heru’s as they picked up the herbs.

Yan Heru instinctively withdrew, glancing up at Shen Hezhi, only to find his expression unchanged. Seeing this, she lowered her head again and continued gathering the herbs.

Though Shen Hezhi’s face remained impassive, inwardly, a storm brewed.

Her hand… so warm… Unlike mine, cursed with cold from this chronic poison. My hands are always icy.

He did not even realize how much he had come to notice her.

Soon, the two finished picking up the scattered herbs. "Thank you, Your Highness. If you have other matters to attend to, please go ahead. I will personally prepare your medicine tonight and bring it to you," Yan Heru said.

"Hmm," Shen Hezhi replied coolly. He had wanted to say more, but Yan Heru was already turning to leave. In his haste, he called out to her.

"Yan Heru!"

She turned back in confusion. "Is there something else, Your Highness?"

"Should we… should we have a proper talk…" Shen Hezhi regretted his words the moment they left his mouth, for he had no idea what else to say.

"A talk?" Yan Heru frowned slightly, but soon relaxed. "Since Your Highness has brought it up, it’s only right that we have a proper discussion."

With that, she carried the sorted herbs into the house. Shen Hezhi instantly regretted everything he had just said. Judging by Yan Heru’s demeanor, she seemed serious about speaking with him.

But for some reason, he had a feeling that the conversation would not be about what he was hoping for.

What was he hoping for?

Shen Hezhi found himself stumped by his own question.

"Your Highness, since you suggested it, let’s indeed have a proper talk," Yan Heru said as she came back outside after putting the herbs away.