Chapter Fifty-One: The Prince Has Returned

After Shen Heye finished speaking, she quietly left the prince’s manor. Even after she departed, Cen Changjing remained kneeling in place for a long time without rising.

Yan Heru and Mo Yi, seeing that Shen Heye had left, returned to their own courtyard.

Once back, Yan Heru sat restlessly on the stone bench in the garden. “Mo Yi, Cen Changjing turned out to be the subordinate of the Sixth Prince. What about Cen Changxiao? Isn’t he the prince’s close brother and trusted aide? Could it be…”

Mo Yi hurried to reassure her upon hearing her speculation. “Madam, you need not worry. Though Cen Changxiao is Cen Changjing’s elder brother, he absolutely isn’t one of the Sixth Prince’s men. He shares a bond of life and death with our lord—such loyalty is unmatched. Besides, he has no motive to betray the prince.”

Relieved by this explanation, Yan Heru felt her anxiety ease. She feared that Shen Hezhi might be harmed by Cen Changxiao outside the manor; without him, she would lose her support.

In truth, her concern was ultimately for her own interests, but Yan Heru did not mind revealing her innermost thoughts directly.

“Mo Yi, it’s late now. Go rest. We’ll deal with this matter when the prince returns,” Yan Heru said.

Mo Yi nodded and left the courtyard.

Yan Heru returned to her room and lay on the bed, preparing to sleep. Yet, she tossed and turned, unable to rest. The events of the night lingered, leaving her unsettled.

Did Shen Heye come tonight merely to see Cen Changjing? What did her parting words mean? Could it be that Shen Heye, suspecting that her visit had been discovered, set a trap in advance, thus refraining from further action?

Listening to Shen Heye and Cen Changjing’s conversation, Yan Heru worried that Shen Heye’s purpose tonight might have been to kill her.

After all, the rumors spread in the capital had been orchestrated by the Sixth Prince through Cen Changjing. If she had come to kill, it would not be unreasonable, since the rumors failed and Yan Heru had not been captured.

Yan Heru continued to toss and turn, sleep eluding her as her mind raced with such thoughts. Eventually, though, she drifted into slumber.

When she awoke the next morning, she felt warmth at her back. Turning, she saw Shen Hezhi!

He had returned.

Shen Hezhi was holding her as he slept. His weary face suggested he had suffered much.

Yan Heru gently stroked his cheek. In that moment, her heart ached for him. Though born into nobility, Shen Hezhi should have enjoyed endless honor, yet every day he lived in fear, suffering from a mysterious cold poison.

Shen Hezhi was the archetype of the pitiful male protagonist found in novels.

Yan Heru could already imagine what he might become, should darkness consume him.

“You’re awake,” Shen Hezhi spoke suddenly, startling Yan Heru, who quickly withdrew her hand and smiled awkwardly.

“Ah… um… When did you return, Your Highness?” Yan Heru hastened to change the subject to ease the embarrassment.

“Before dawn. Seeing you asleep, I didn’t want to disturb you,” Shen Hezhi replied with a gentle smile.

“Are you hungry, Your Highness? I’ll go prepare some food…” Yan Heru began to rise, eager to busy herself—anything was better than lying together in bed, which she found unbearably awkward.

But Shen Hezhi caught her hand, stopping her at the bedside.

“Your Highness…”

“No need to leave. Just stay quietly with me for a while.”

Shen Hezhi pulled Yan Heru into his arms.

They lay together again, Shen Hezhi closing his eyes and nestling against Yan Heru’s neck and shoulder, making her feel ticklish.

What unsettled her even more was the atmosphere; lying together like this was simply too awkward. Perhaps it would be better to say something…

“Your Highness… during your absence, did the cold poison act up again?” Yan Heru pondered for a long time before settling on this topic.

“Yes, it did. But it’s nothing,” Shen Hezhi replied simply, still holding her with eyes closed.

Yan Heru struggled to find another topic. Then Shen Hezhi spoke.

“Just let me hold you quietly for a while. I… missed you very much.”

His words made Yan Heru blush.

She had heard such words from many men, but never had any made her heart flutter so wildly.

“Your Highness, what’s gotten into you…” Yan Heru stammered.

Shen Hezhi didn’t answer, only rubbing his head against her neck and shoulder. Soon, he fell asleep.

Listening to Shen Hezhi’s steady breathing, Yan Heru remained in his embrace. If she moved even slightly, he would surely awaken.

Gazing at his profile, Yan Heru unconsciously swallowed.

No wonder the Ninth Prince, rumored to be a eunuch, still attracted so many outstanding women. His face alone, just to admire at home, was enough to delight the heart.

Her gaze deepened.

Why did Shen Hezhi deliberately spread rumors of himself being a eunuch? Was it to lull the emperor into complacency? Who, truly, were Shen Hezhi’s enemies?

Only now did Yan Heru realize how little she knew about Shen Hezhi. Though they were partners, she hardly understood her collaborator at all.

She sighed softly, and accompanied Shen Hezhi into sleep.

When Yan Heru awoke again, it was already noon. She was not one to sleep in, but lately she had been busy and a rare nap was welcome.

However, upon waking, she found herself alone.

Yan Heru was momentarily dazed. Had everything that happened before been just a dream? Had Shen Hezhi truly returned?

“Madam, it’s time for your meal.”

Mo Yi’s voice brought her back to reality. “Yes, I know,” Yan Heru replied.

She dressed and stepped outside, only to find Shen Hezhi sitting in the courtyard.

It seemed the morning’s events were not a dream after all. Shen Hezhi, after a good sleep, looked much improved.

Yan Heru took a seat by the stone bench. Mo Yi said, “Madam, all these dishes were prepared by the prince himself early this morning.”