Chapter 74: Luo Jin An’s Jealousy & Xu Nian’s Outburst

Xu Nian’s entire focus was on Luo Jin An’s injured arm, so she naturally didn’t notice the silent exchange of glances between the two men.

Liu Yun and Liu Qin had already stepped down from the carriage, bowed to Luo Jin An, and stood sensibly by the side. Xiu’er, seeing an unfamiliar man entering her mistress’s carriage, quickly climbed in as well. Noticing this, Liu Yun and Liu Qin made no effort to stop her.

Xu Nian carefully unwrapped the blood-soaked cloth from Luo Jin An’s arm, revealing a long knife wound stretching across his skin. The injury had initially scabbed over, but it seemed that some external force had reopened it, causing the heavy bleeding.

“Did you bring any hemostatic medicine?”

Luo Jin An took out a porcelain bottle from his robes and handed it to Xu Nian. She applied the medicine and rewrapped his wound securely before instructing him, “Don’t ride horses for now, and don’t let it get wet.”

“Alright.” Luo Jin An responded softly, gazing at the person before him, so close yet seemingly distant.

Only heaven knew how panicked he had been when he received the report from his hidden guard. He feared that her gentle gaze would one day fall upon someone else, that he would never again hear her call his name—whether in anger or joy.

Xiu’er, watching the “shameless rogue” staring intently at her mistress, handed him a cup of tea.

“Please have some tea, Young Master.”

Luo Jin An eyed the teacup, which was practically shoved against his nose, and couldn’t help but suspect that the little maid had done it on purpose.

He accepted the cup but didn’t drink from it, simply placing it on the small table.

“Nian Nian, who is sitting in the carriage ahead?”

“You mean Young Master Hui Feng? He’s a friend of Yu Gongzi. We’re traveling together back to Wansheng County.”

“Oh, right—why are you here?”

Xu Nian, momentarily dazed by Luo Jin An’s sudden appearance, finally regained some clarity.

Luo Jin An didn’t bother to lie or conceal the truth. He stated plainly, “I assigned one of my hidden guards to watch over you. He sent a report informing me that you were in the capital and returning to Wansheng County today. So, I came here to wait for you.”

Seeing Xu Nian’s expression, he continued, “Nian Nian, if you mind, I won’t have him report to me anymore. But it would be best to keep him by your side for protection. I can even give you his contract.”

Xu Nian didn’t know how to feel at that moment. Surely, no one would be comfortable knowing they were being watched. But if Luo Jin An hadn’t confessed, she might never have realized it.

“Sister Wang is already teaching me martial arts, and I’m not in that much danger. There’s no need to assign someone to protect me.”

Luo Jin An knew that this matter had made Xu Nian uncomfortable. He nodded slightly.

“Alright, I’ll have him return to Wang City.”

For a while, the carriage was filled with silence. Finally, Xu Nian thought of Shang Jin Zhi and instructed Xiu’er, “Go tell Young Master Shang that we’re ready to continue our journey. Liu Yun and Liu Qin should also get back in the carriage. We’re setting off.”

Seeing that Luo Jin An had no intention of leaving the carriage, Xu Nian said nothing more. After all, he was an injured man.

Once Xiu’er returned, the convoy resumed its journey.

“Miss, Young Master Shang sent this for you. He said you should have something to eat first. We’ll reach the next resting place in about ten miles.”

Xu Nian took the food box and opened it, finding an assortment of delicate pastries inside—small, bite-sized treats perfect for a lady.

I didn’t expect Young Master Hui Feng to be such a fan of snacks, she thought to herself.

Luo Jin An looked at the food box in Xu Nian’s hands and asked, “Can I have one?” Then, as if feeling a bit embarrassed, he added with a small smile, “I’ve been in such a hurry to travel that I haven’t had anything to eat.”

Xu Nian placed the food box in his lap.

“Then eat more. I’m not hungry right now.”

She really wasn’t hungry. Throughout the journey, Young Master Shang had never stopped offering her food.

Luo Jin An didn’t hold back, eating quickly, one bite at a time, until the food box was empty. The four others in the carriage stared at him in shock.

They were surprised by his appetite. Even though the pastries were small, the food box had been packed across three full layers.

“Would you like some water?” Xu Nian offered.

Luo Jin An did feel slightly choked from eating too quickly. He took the teacup from Xu Nian’s hand and downed it in one go.

“Do you have some urgent business with me? Why were you in such a rush that you didn’t even have time to eat?”

Luo Jin An didn’t know how to answer. With so many people around him, there was no way he would actually go hungry. He had simply been feeling a bit upset. Eating all those pastries felt like a way to make Xu Nian overlook the kindness of someone else.

“I promised before that I would take you to see the scenery of the Northern Frontier. Now that I’m free, I can finally accompany you.”

Xu Nian stared at him for a long moment, and for some reason, a fire ignited in her chest. She let out a cold laugh.

“Luo Jin An, you said that to me half a year ago.”

“I don’t have the leisure to wander around now. And you’re not the only one who has things to do—I have responsibilities too.”

“Nian Nian—”

“Do you think that just because you beckon, people will rush to flatter you? That you can come and go as you please, whenever you feel like it…”

Xu Nian’s words became increasingly incoherent, as if she was merely venting emotions—perhaps resisting some hidden fear inside her.

Her voice grew louder and eventually became hoarse. Liu Yun and Liu Qin lowered their heads, not daring to look at the noble prince sitting across from them.

Xiu’er had never seen her mistress like this before. She now stared at Luo Jin An as if he were a heartless scoundrel, her gaze sharp enough to bite him at any moment.

Luo Jin An resisted the urge to pull Xu Nian into his arms. In the end, he only whispered softly, “I’m sorry.”

Xu Nian was too caught up in her emotions to realize that the carriage had come to a stop. From outside, Shang Jin Zhi’s voice called out.

“Miss Xu, there’s a small inn here that would be a good place to rest. Would you like to come down for a bit?”

Xu Nian fell silent, took a moment to compose herself, and then prepared to step out. However, Luo Jin An held onto her sleeve and got off first.

By the time she emerged, Luo Jin An was already standing beside the carriage, extending his hand to help her down. The guards on horseback had all dismounted and stood with their heads lowered, waiting.

Most of her frustration had already dissipated, and she didn’t want Luo Jin An to lose face in front of others. So, she placed her hand in his and stepped down from the carriage.

Standing to the side, Shang Jin Zhi’s gaze flickered as he watched their clasped hands. Although he hadn’t heard what had been said inside the carriage, he could tell there had been an argument.

At that moment, Xu Fugui also approached from the carriage behind them. Seeing Luo Jin An, he immediately moved to bow, but Luo Jin An stopped him.

“There’s no need for formalities, Uncle Xu.”

Shang Jin Zhi also stepped forward, cupped his hands, and greeted, “Greetings, Prince Chang. I am Shang Jin Zhi.”

“The eldest son of Marquis Xuanping. I have heard of you.”

Luo Jin An responded indifferently before turning to Xu Nian, his voice gentle.

“Nian Nian, let’s go inside.”

“Uncle, Young Master Shang, you both have taken great care of me on this journey. Let’s go in and have something to eat and rest for a while.”

Luo Jin An watched as Xu Nian walked ahead without acknowledging him, resignedly quickening his pace to follow after her.