Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Third Prince of Nanyang, Nan An

“Are you still afraid of bitterness?” Yan He couldn’t help but laugh and cry as she looked at Shen Hezhi, who nodded with utter seriousness.

Yan He’s heart ached again.

This man always managed to make her feel tender sorrow for him without even trying.

“All right, since you’re afraid of bitterness, I’ll get you a piece of candy,” Yan He coaxed him like a child, intending to rise and head to the kitchen. But Shen Hezhi suddenly wrapped his arms around her.

“If it’s you feeding me, then it’s not bitter at all,” Shen Hezhi said joyfully.

Yan He’s cheeks flushed at his words. “You… Have you said things like this to other girls? It sounds so practiced…”

Shyly, Yan He pushed Shen Hezhi away and began to feed him the medicine. She noticed clearly when she brought a spoonful to his lips, Shen Hezhi’s brows twitched ever so slightly, but the expression faded instantly.

Yan He understood the reason for his swift reaction.

“Your Highness, if you have anything to say, just tell me directly. There’s no need for secrets between us,” Yan He said.

Shen Hezhi nodded, but showed no sign of distress. “I’ve never spoken flirtatiously to other women. And… the medicine you feed me truly isn’t bitter.”

The bowl of medicine was finished in such a manner. Afterward, the two lay down to rest. Yet, in the middle of the night, urgent knocks echoed through the quiet.

“Your Highness! There’s been a sudden enemy attack outside the city!” It was Dongfang Qing.

Shen Hezhi, hearing this, hurriedly glanced at Yan He, who looked anxious. “My lady, stay safe here at the post station. I’ll go see what’s happening. Don’t worry.”

Yan He nodded. Shen Hezhi swiftly dressed and left for the city wall with Dongfang Qing.

Upon reaching the top of the wall, they discovered that the city was surrounded by soldiers from Nanyang. Torches blazed, and riders crowded the darkness.

It was the same prince as last time, shouting provocations.

“Do you truly have no one left? If you won’t come out and fight me head-on, then I’ll just barge right in!”

Shen Hezhi frowned as he saw the prince, placing his hand on the bricks of the city wall and peering into the distance.

Nanyang had sent far more men this time. Shen Hezhi knew that Beiyu’s border was in no state to fight; even if they forced a battle, defeat was inevitable.

“Since you’re making such a commotion at the city gate, you should at least announce your name,” Shen Hezhi called out.

The prince below laughed heartily and replied, “I never change my name or alter my surname. I am Nan’an of the Nanyang royal family!”

Nan’an!

Hearing the name, Shen Hezhi’s eyes narrowed. Even without intelligence reports, he had heard of him.

This youth was a prodigy, two years younger than Shen Hezhi, yet already a seasoned veteran. He had conquered the surrounding tribes of Nanyang, and now commanded the royal army at the age of just twenty.

He was not only gifted in warfare but also exceptionally handsome. Rumor had it that his mother had another child—his sister—equally brilliant. Yet years ago, she vanished without a trace, whether married off or deceased, no one knew.

“So it’s Prince Nan’an. Since you wish for an honorable battle, we should wait for daylight,” Shen Hezhi spoke, rapidly calculating in his mind how to resolve this crisis.

Prince Nan’an, clever as he was, immediately grasped Shen Hezhi’s intent.

“You are the Ninth Prince, correct?” Nan’an asked.

“That’s right,” Shen Hezhi replied.

“I know exactly what you’re thinking—how to stall until morning, so you can face me then. Isn’t that so?” Nan’an said smugly.

Shen Hezhi pressed his lips together, refusing to answer. Nan’an’s greatest virtue was perhaps his arrogance, but it was not constant. Most of the time, he could see through others’ thoughts.

“In fact, Ninth Prince, you needn’t worry. I’m here tonight to tell you plainly—I have one hundred thousand soldiers. Your border is guarded by only ten or twenty thousand worn-out troops. Even if you wait for daybreak, what difference will it make?” Nan’an continued, triumphant.

Hearing this, Shen Hezhi finally frowned with distress. Nanyang must have countless spies along their border; otherwise, Nan’an couldn’t know their numbers so precisely.

“Prince Nan’an, since you already know we’re mostly old and feeble soldiers, why not just attack now?” Shen Hezhi smiled at him.

His smile made Nan’an hesitate.

Nan’an glanced sideways at his men. “Are you sure our agents confirmed there are only ten or twenty thousand old and weak soldiers inside?”

“My reports say so, yes,” his subordinate replied.

Nan’an nodded and looked back up at Shen Hezhi on the wall. Shen Hezhi’s face bore both confidence and a hint of fear, making it hard for Nan’an to discern whether he was feigning strength or telling the truth—perhaps there were hidden forces in the city, or traps laid in advance.

Seeing Nan’an’s hesitation, Shen Hezhi knew his sudden inspiration had worked.

Though there were spies in the city, Shen Hezhi didn’t believe they could penetrate the upper ranks. Even if Nan’an knew the deployments, Shen Hezhi could claim there were more, forcing Nan’an to doubt.

“Why are you silent now, Prince Nan’an? Or is the night wind too strong and I can’t hear you?” Shen Hezhi continued his taunts.

Nan’an smiled at him. “Since the Ninth Prince is so confident, we shall wait until tomorrow to fight.”

With that, Nan’an turned his horse and rode away.

As Nan’an departed, Shen Hezhi finally breathed out in relief. Dongfang Qing, who had stood by, was sweating anxiously.

He hadn’t expected the prince to bluff so boldly. If Nan’an had stormed in tonight, they couldn’t have held the city and would have been forced to retreat.

“Your Highness, that was dangerously close!” Dongfang Qing said.

Shen Hezhi answered solemnly, “Even if we were lucky tonight, he’ll return tomorrow. Come, to the military camp.”

“Now?” Dongfang Qing asked, surprised.