Chapter 14: Don’t Let Him Touch You, Wait for Me

Shen Xingwan slowly raised her head and looked toward the chaise lounge.

The disdain in the Imperial Noble Consort’s eyes was plain to see. She frowned slightly and sat up.

The young palace maid who had been massaging her legs immediately adjusted her position to match and continued obediently kneading her legs.

The Imperial Noble Consort leaned forward slightly, reached out, and with nails lacquered in crimson red, lifted Shen Xingwan’s chin, scrutinizing her closely.

“Beautiful, yes, that she is.”

The sharp tip of her nail dug into Shen Xingwan’s skin. The Imperial Noble Consort toyed with her face as if she were merely a plaything, shaking it from side to side.

Then she flung her hand away with contempt and pulled out a silk handkerchief to wipe her fingers.

“Zilin is still too young—just a mere girl like this has bewitched him into losing his mind.”

The old matron forced a smile as she accepted the handkerchief. “The young master is innocent. It’s not uncommon to be momentarily infatuated.”

“Then I’ll make the decision for him,” the Imperial Noble Consort sneered, a chill flashing in her eyes as she glanced at Shen Xingwan on the ground. “Since that face is so pretty, then ruin it.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Receiving the order without a moment’s hesitation, the matron pulled a sharp silver hairpin from her bun, grabbed Shen Xingwan by the hair, and aimed to slash her face.

“Let me go!”

Shen Xingwan struggled fiercely and gave the old woman a hard push. The matron stumbled backward, nearly falling to the floor.

Just as Shen Xingwan was about to get up and run, a look from the Imperial Noble Consort sent the leg-massaging palace maid pouncing toward her. The girl dropped her small golden hammer and pinned Shen Xingwan to the ground with all her might.

“This damn girl is stronger than she looks. Hold her down tight, and watch me shred that face!”

“You dare?!”

Shen Xingwan lifted her head high and shouted harshly, “I am the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister and the future Princess Regent. You dare lay a finger on me?!”

The matron froze when she suddenly heard the title “Prince Regent,” and turned to look at the Imperial Noble Consort.

The Imperial Noble Consort frowned, slapped the armrest, stood up, and snatched the silver hairpin from the matron’s hand.

She pinched Shen Xingwan’s chin and forced her to raise her head, coldly sneering. “Don’t talk to me about being some Prime Minister’s daughter. Even if you were a consort in the palace, so what?”

The matron timidly leaned in and whispered, “Your Grace, please reconsider. She is indeed betrothed to Prince Regent Yan Jinghuan.”

The Imperial Noble Consort pressed her lips together, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.

“So what if she’s betrothed? The marriage hasn’t happened yet. If she loses that delicate face of hers, would Yan Jinghuan still want her?”

She scoffed, “Slash her face and toss her into the forest. Release some leopards and let them eat her. That would be the end of it. Later, we’ll just report that she went hunting alone and was mauled to death.”

The icy tip of the hairpin pressed against Shen Xingwan’s face—its chill pierced her skin. She was about to scream when the matron clamped her mouth shut and held her down tightly.

“Stop!”

A loud shout rang out as someone rushed in, flinging aside the curtain. The person knocked the matron away, snatched the silver hairpin, and threw it to the ground. He then grabbed Shen Xingwan and viciously kicked away the palace maid who had been pinning her down.

The Imperial Noble Consort was thrown back onto the chaise. Furious, she turned to unleash her rage, but when she saw who it was, she stomped her feet in exasperation and cried, “You useless fool! Why are you still protecting her?!”

Shen Xingwan staggered to her feet in shock. When she looked up, she found herself in Wei Zilin’s arms.

Still shaken, she reached out to push him away, but her limbs went limp, and she collapsed toward the ground, completely powerless.

Wei Zilin swiftly caught her in the crook of his arm and held her upright, supporting her back to prevent her from sliding to the floor.

“I told you not to touch her.”

Wei Zilin furrowed his brows and looked at the Imperial Noble Consort. “I already agreed to your wish and promised to marry Lord Lu’s daughter. How can you go back on your word?”

The Imperial Noble Consort slapped the armrest, livid.

“She dared reject the proposal in public and slap your face in front of everyone. I should have killed her long ago! If not for you begging to spare her life again and again, would she still be alive now?”

She scolded bitterly, “How can someone who aspires to greatness act with such womanly compassion? Since you can’t gain the Shen family’s influence, you should eliminate her. If she falls into someone else’s hands, what will you do when she turns against you?”

“I will handle it myself, Mother. You don’t need to worry.”

“You call this handling it?”

The Imperial Noble Consort walked over, shot a glare at Shen Xingwan, and then looked at Wei Zilin.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re really thinking. You’re just unwilling to let go because you can’t have her. Still hoping to take her by force someday?”

“Mother!”

“Stop deluding yourself. Today your father named Yan Jinghuan as the Fourteenth Prince’s teacher. It’s obvious he wants Yan Jinghuan to support the Fourteenth Prince. If he then marries her, wouldn’t the Fourteenth gain the Shen family’s power too?”

The Imperial Noble Consort patted Wei Zilin on the shoulder with a weighty tone. “Son, you mustn’t be soft-hearted. Kill her. Once she’s dead, everything’s resolved.”

Shen Xingwan was utterly speechless.

Seriously?

Are all you rebels this loud about plotting treason?

Aren’t you afraid someone might hear?

What is she supposed to do now?

After hearing all this, there’s no way they’ll let her live, right?

Is it still not too late to faint?

Wei Zilin’s gaze fell on Shen Xingwan’s face. After a long pause, he slowly lifted his hand and gently stroked her cheek.

Shen Xingwan’s heart sank.

It’s over.

This bastard is going to strangle her!

Just as she was about to struggle with all her strength for one last chance, Wei Zilin’s thumb gently brushed over the mark the silver hairpin had left on her skin.

The stark red imprint on her snowy-white skin landed in his eyes, stirring an unexpected trace of pity within him.

His fingertips were cold, yet they made her skin burn with heat. She couldn’t help but turn her head away, avoiding his touch.

“You see? She doesn’t even like you. Why bother? If you can’t bear to do it, I’ll have to do it for you,” the Imperial Noble Consort said coldly.

Wei Zilin’s expression grew increasingly desolate. He lowered his hand and bit down hard, tightening his arms around her even more.

He lifted his head and looked firmly at the Imperial Noble Consort. “I told you—don’t touch her. I have my own plan.”

The Imperial Noble Consort was stunned for a moment by the intensity of his gaze. After a long silence, she let out a sigh.

“Fine. Blame it on my poor fate for having only you as a son. If I had another, I wouldn’t have to worry myself sick over you.”

As she spoke, her eyes flicked toward Shen Xingwan. “But she’s heard far too much of what she shouldn’t have…”

“She won’t speak a word of it.”

Wei Zilin lowered his head, staring deeply at Shen Xingwan—his words a mix of reassurance and veiled warning. “Even if she does, no one would dare believe her.”

The Imperial Noble Consort looked uneasy and was just about to speak when the palace maid guarding outside the tent suddenly announced loudly, “The Prince Regent seeks an audience with the Imperial Noble Consort.”

The Imperial Noble Consort’s eyes flashed. The old nanny standing to the side immediately stepped to the tent entrance and replied, “The Imperial Noble Consort is unwell and has already retired for the night. May the Prince Regent return another day.”

Just as the nanny turned to go back inside, Yan Jinghuan’s voice rang out from beyond the curtain: “Since the Imperial Noble Consort has retired, I won’t disturb her further. It’s already late. My fiancée, Shen Xingwan, has troubled Her Highness for long enough. I’ve come to take her back. I ask Her Highness to kindly let her go.”

The Imperial Noble Consort’s expression darkened. Her eyes fell on Shen Xingwan, still trapped in Wei Zilin’s embrace.

Forget it. There was still a long road ahead. She couldn’t kill the Prince Regent’s fiancée in front of him, after all.

Her only goal was to help her son ascend the throne—she didn’t want to offend Yan Jinghuan and risk tension or even war with the Yan Kingdom.

She shot Shen Xingwan a venomous glare and said through gritted teeth, “Go, then. But don’t utter a single word about what happened today. From now on, keep your head down and pray you don’t cross me again. If you do—your whole clan will pay the price.”

Wei Zilin leaned close, whispering in her ear with a low warning: “Don’t let him touch you. Wait for me.”

Shen Xingwan was struck by a wave of revulsion. She shoved him away and walked out without looking back.

As she lifted the curtain, the rays of the setting sun struck her eyes, making her squint from the sudden brightness.

A tall figure walked toward her against the light and reached out to take her hand.

Her vision slowly adjusted, and she saw Yan Jinghuan dressed in black robes. The sunlight wrapped around him, casting a warm golden glow over his body.

His palm, warm and steady, enveloped her cold hand, and for a moment, she felt an unfamiliar sense of safety. The fear that had consumed her earlier faded just a little.

“Let’s go.”

“Mm.”

Shen Xingwan nodded.

He tightened his grip on her hand and led her away.

With her head lowered, Shen Xingwan quietly followed him along the forest path.

Night was falling. He leaned in slightly closer to her and carefully kicked away any stones that blocked her way.

“Thank you,” she said suddenly.

Yan Jinghuan turned his head slightly and looked at her.

“I mean… thank you for stepping in to help me out,” she clarified.

He stopped walking and turned to face her, gazing at her silently.

The full moon had just risen, its pale light spilling over the young girl.

Her makeup was smudged, her hair disheveled, and her dress crumpled—she looked just like a pitiful little stray cat.

Yan Jinghuan lifted his hand and gently smoothed the hair atop her head. “Next time you need my help, just tell me directly. There’s no need to be so roundabout like today.”

Shen Xingwan’s eyes widened in surprise.

He knew…

He knew she had deliberately lured him to the southern forest glade.

“I’m sorry.” Her eyes welled up with tears.

Yan Jinghuan said nothing, but his eyes held a faint trace of tenderness.

After a long pause, he sighed softly and looked into her eyes. “This way won’t protect you. What will you do in the future? If someone ever gives you trouble again… come to me first.”

“How did you know she was making things difficult for me?” Shen Xingwan asked in surprise.

“The Imperial Noble Consort is as venomous as a snake. After what you did, do you really think she invited you over for tea?” 

“……”

Shen Xingwan lowered her head in embarrassment, suddenly feeling deeply sorry for him.

She wasn’t a virtuous person, yet she had still selfishly taken the position of his official consort.

“I…” She tried to pull her hand back and hesitated as she spoke. “You’ve seen for yourself… I’m not a good person. If you regret it, I…”

Yan Jinghuan tightened his grip, giving her no chance to withdraw.

“I’m not a blank sheet of paper either.”

He looked at her quietly. “There are so many kindhearted people and noble heroes in the world—why must it be us?”

“This world doesn’t need another good person. You only need to be yourself.”

Shen Xingwan stared at him in a daze, unable to return to her senses for a long time.

It wasn’t until he chuckled softly and gave her hand a tug that she snapped back to reality.

“Come on, I’ll walk you back to the residence. Get some rest early.”

“Mm, alright.”

Under the moonlight, the two of them walked slowly. Just as they were nearing the carriage stop, they heard a commotion ahead.

Shen Xingwan couldn’t help but peek over, only to see the little prince she had saved earlier arguing with his eunuchs.

This little prince was truly pitiful.

The Emperor deeply loved his mother, but because of her humble background, the court opposed making her Empress. As a result, the position remained vacant.

Though the Imperial Noble Consort held the same power as an Empress and ruled the inner palace, she had never earned the title, and thus always harbored resentment—taking it out on the little prince.

The prince was surrounded by cruel and scheming servants who constantly found ways to mistreat him. The Emperor knew this to some extent, but couldn’t show too much concern. Outwardly, he even treated the boy coldly.

Because the Emperor understood: as long as the child was neglected, he would merely suffer mistreatment. But if he showed any favoritism or revealed the slightest intention of naming him heir, the boy wouldn’t live to see the next sunrise.

The Imperial Noble Consort’s faction would eliminate him instantly.

Now, the little prince was supposed to return to the palace to rest, but the eunuchs claimed the carriage was broken and would take a while to fix. They didn’t even bother to find him a place to keep warm—just left him standing in the bitter night wind in his thin clothing.

Though it was late spring, the night air was still piercing. Shen Xingwan saw that the little prince wore only last year’s thin garments, without even a light jacket. His slender face had turned blue from the cold, and she could no longer bear to watch.

She quickly stepped forward and curtsied.

“Greetings, Fourteenth Prince. If you don’t mind a humble setting, please use my carriage to return to the palace.”

Before the prince could respond, one of the eunuchs hurried over, saying, “Miss Shen, we’re already repairing the carriage. It’ll be ready soon. No need to trouble yourself—please, go on your way.”

Shen Xingwan ignored him and looked gently at the little prince.

“Aren’t you cold? There’s a brazier in my carriage, and we’ve baked sweet potatoes. Come ride with us, alright?”

“Tch.” The eunuch grew impatient. “Didn’t I just say—”

“How about riding in my carriage?”

At the sound of Yan Jinghuan’s voice approaching, the eunuch’s demeanor changed instantly. He bowed deeply.

“We wouldn’t dare trouble the Prince Regent. Please rest assured, Your Highness—the carriage is already fixed, and we’re just about to escort the Fourteenth Prince back to the palace.”

Shen Xingwan rolled her eyes skyward.

The little prince was being tugged toward the carriage by the eunuchs, but kept turning back to look at her.

Her heart ached. She turned to Feiyun, who had come to pick her up, and instructed, “Bring the brazier and the sweet potatoes from our carriage. Send them to the Fourteenth Prince’s carriage.”

Feiyun accepted the order and asked a servant to carefully deliver them.

As the little prince’s carriage gradually moved into the distance, Shen Xingwan turned to bid farewell to Yan Jinghuan—only for a guard to suddenly gallop toward them and fall to his knees before the Prince Regent.

“Your Highness, bad news—the Emperor is critically ill”