Chapter 4: Marry Me — What Are You Doing in Broad Daylight?!

The guards stationed at the gate immediately surged forward, trying to drag her away.

Shen Xingwan refused to give up this sliver of hope and used all her strength to knock on the door.

Just as the guards were shouting and reaching to grab her arms, the large door slowly opened, and a capable steward stepped out quickly.

The steward waved a hand and gave a signal, dismissing the guards. He politely cupped his hands to Shen Xingwan and said, “Miss Shen, forgive us for not welcoming you from afar. Please, come in.”

Shen Xingwan let go of the bronze ring, feeling slightly embarrassed. She had clearly been the impolite one, arriving unannounced without even sending a visiting card.

But now was no time to care about such formalities. She pressed her lips together and nodded, following the steward through the gates.

The steward led her through a corridor toward a garden.

It seemed to be one of the gardens within the residence. Pavilions and gazebos were nestled among blooming flowers, and a pond in the center was filled with swimming koi. In the distance, a figure in black stood by the pond, gazing idly at the swimming fish.

The steward bowed and silently withdrew.

Shen Xingwan stood there, subconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes, not knowing what to do.

Yan Jinghuan lightly flicked his fingers, scattering the last of the fish food from his hand, letting the fish scramble for it in a frenzy. The corners of his lips curved as he turned his head to look at Shen Xingwan.

The young lady had clearly run here in a rush. Her clothes were thin, her hair slightly undone. A few loose strands of jet-black hair clung to her fair, sweaty neck, rising and falling slightly with her breath.

He slowly turned around and just looked at her for a while.

It wasn’t until her neck and ears turned so red they seemed ready to bleed that he finally spoke.

“Didn’t you have something to say to me? Why aren’t you coming over?”

Shen Xingwan bit her lip, steeled herself, and walked forward.

Yan Jinghuan stood with his hands behind his back, his tall figure casting a shadow on the ground under the sunlight.

He watched her slowly approach, her delicate shadow gradually merging with the outline of his.

Staring at the shadows on the ground, he casually asked, “Go ahead. What do you need from me?”

Shen Xingwan lowered her head, twisting her clothes in her hands. All the courage she had earlier seemed to vanish, and now it was difficult to speak.

Her face burned with pain. She wanted to retreat, but when she thought of her parents and brothers being in danger, she had no choice but to tough it out.

After a long while, she finally opened her mouth in a barely audible voice: “You once said… you wanted to marry me. Does that still count?”

Yan Jinghuan looked up, staring at her meaningfully, then chuckled lightly after a pause.

“If I remember correctly, the court has already issued a decree bestowing your marriage to the Third Prince.”

He raised his eyebrows, his sharp gaze fixed on her eyes. “Miss Shen, did you not receive the imperial edict?”

“I did,” Shen Xingwan said, clenching her fists, her voice anxious. “But I refused it.”

Yan Jinghuan was briefly stunned, but he quickly returned to normal.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, a flicker of anger in them. With a sneer, he said, “Defying an imperial decree is a capital crime that implicates your entire family.”

“What makes you think I’d risk such a crime for someone on the brink of death?”

It felt like her heart had plunged into an abyss.

All the strength drained from Shen Xingwan in an instant.

Of course. Yan Jinghuan was a favored son of heaven, the legitimate second prince of Dayan, now regent of the vassal state of Wei.

She was just a girl who had, by chance, helped him a few times when he first arrived in Wei as a young man. Back then, he had confessed his feelings to her.

At the time, she hadn’t reciprocated and firmly rejected him.

Now, that naïve youth had grown into a man of great power and depth, a regent who no longer took those past words seriously.

Shen Xingwan, disheartened, lowered her head in defeat.

“I was presumptuous,” she said, bowing. “Goodbye.”

Suppressing the urge to cry, she quickly turned to leave.

“Who are you planning to go to next?”

His low voice called from behind, full of suppressed emotion.

Shen Xingwan paused but didn’t turn around. “Anyone, really. I just need to find a way. No need to trouble the Regent further. Apologies for disturbing you.”

With that, she quickened her pace, but hadn’t taken many steps before someone grabbed her arm and yanked her back.

Yan Jinghuan seized her arm and pulled her toward him. With his other hand, he gripped the back of her neck, forcing her to look at him.

Her swan-like slender white neck was trapped in his large palm. With the slightest pressure, he could snap it.

“If you marry me, will you regret it?”

His dark eyes surged with intensity, his gaze penetrating as if to peer into her soul.

Shen Xingwan’s heart eased slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.

“Tell me.” His thumb unconsciously caressed the soft skin on the back of her neck.

She trembled and recoiled. Seeing this, Yan Jinghuan’s eyes cleared a bit, and he loosened his grip. “I won’t force you.”

“I won’t regret it!”

Shen Xingwan reached out and grabbed his arm, looking up at him earnestly. “I don’t regret it.”

A sudden breeze stirred, petals fluttering in the air.

The girl, eyes full of tears, with crystal droplets hanging on her soft lashes, her nose red, looked like a stubborn little animal clutching onto her last hope.

Though it was a cold spring, her thin clothes clung to her body in the wind, outlining her graceful figure. She trembled slightly from the chill.

Yan Jinghuan was silent for a while, then finally removed his dark fur cloak, gave it a flick, and wrapped it around her.

Shen Xingwan looked up in surprise, only to see that his expression had softened as he fastened the cloak for her.

The cloak was incredibly luxurious, made from the finest fur. It still carried his body heat and a unique pine-like fragrance, making her face burn. She couldn’t help but squirm slightly.

Yan Jinghuan grabbed her hand and held it tightly. “You said it yourself. If you try to go back on it now, that won’t be allowed.”

Shen Xingwan thought of his ruthless tactics in his past life against the Third Prince and didn’t dare resist. She could only let him hold her hand and lead her to a side chamber.

He ordered servants to redo her hair and summoned a carriage, while he sat leisurely in a grand chair beside her, quietly watching her reflection in the mirror.

Unable to avoid his gaze, Shen Xingwan had no choice but to lower her head and let the maids do their work.

“My Lord.”

The steward entered quietly, about to speak, but fell silent when he saw Shen Xingwan.

“No matter. Go ahead,” Yan Jinghuan said, resting his chin on his hand, his eyes still on Shen Xingwan.

The steward lowered his gaze and spoke softly, “We caught a shadow guard, seems he was… following Miss Shen. He’s already been interrogated. He’s from the Empress Dowager’s side.”

Shen Xingwan instantly tensed, unable to stop herself from looking up at Yan Jinghuan’s reaction.

Yan Jinghuan didn’t even lift an eyelid. He said calmly, “Kill him. No need to report back.”

“Yes, sir.”

The steward bowed and left.

Shen Xingwan sat frozen, a bone-deep chill seeping through her.

Life and death, decided in an instant by a mere word from him.

As if sensing her thoughts, Yan Jinghuan smiled faintly, walked to her side, took the golden hairpin from the maid’s hand, and pinned it into her hair himself.

“Scared?”

Shen Xingwan didn’t know how to answer.

There was always a lingering fear in her heart—a mistaken belief that if she gave an answer that displeased him, that golden hairpin in his hand would stab straight into her skull.

“Let’s go.”

Yan Jinghuan took her hand and led her out.

Shen Xingwan had never been so physically close to him before. In fact, until today, they had barely exchanged a few words. Such sudden intimacy made her extremely uncomfortable.

Her soft, boneless palm began to sweat. Even after they boarded his carriage and rode all the way to the palace, he never let go of her hand.

Several times, Shen Xingwan tried to pull her hand back to wipe away the sweat, but Yan Jinghuan only gripped her tighter, refusing to release her. Over time, she had no choice but to let him do as he pleased.

She had been too afraid to ask earlier, and Yan Jinghuan had said nothing to her either.

Now that they were nearly at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Shen Xingwan suddenly realized—he was taking her to see the Emperor.

Thinking it over, he had never actually promised to help her.

And he still hadn’t let go of her hand. Was he planning to take her in for punishment?

The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became. Shen Xingwan abruptly stopped in her tracks, unwilling to take another step.

Yan Jinghuan turned to see her glaring at him. Not knowing what she was angry about, he sighed softly and then reached out to wrap his arm around her waist.

Shen Xingwan immediately struggled. “In broad daylight, what do you think you’re doing?!”

“Stop fussing.”

Yan Jinghuan tightened his hold around her waist and whispered near her ear, “If you want to stay alive, then give the best performance of your life and cooperate with me.”

“……”

His warm breath brushed against her ear, making it ticklish.

He probably wasn’t planning to turn her in for punishment.

Thinking this, Shen Xingwan tried to suppress her wildly beating heart and obediently let him hold her. With his subtle force, she was guided toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After being formally announced, Shen Xingwan entered the hall and bowed before the imperial desk. “This humble daughter Shen Xingwan pays her respects to His Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed with eternal peace and health.”

On the imperial throne, the Emperor wore a bright yellow robe. He looked to be in his early fifties, extremely thin, with sunken eyes and a sickly appearance. After coughing for a while, he finally spoke.

“So you are of the Shen clan. I was just about to have you taken in. Do you know your crime?”

Though the Emperor had long been confined to his sickbed, the oppressive power he exuded had not diminished. His single sentence weighed like a thousand pounds, leaving Shen Xingwan momentarily speechless.

Yan Jinghuan stood straight and performed a courteous bow, speaking calmly, “Xingwan and I are of one heart. We have pledged ourselves to each other for life. That is why I came to ask Your Majesty to retract your decree. I beg for your forgiveness.”

The Emperor gave a cold snort, his sharp gaze sweeping across the two of them.

“Why is it that I’ve never heard you mention this before?”

Yan Jinghuan lowered his eyes, his expression unchanging.

“In the past, it was only I who harbored feelings for Xingwan. I had intended to take things slowly. Who would have thought that Your Majesty would suddenly mispair us? I had no choice but to speak the truth.”

The Emperor narrowed his eyes and turned to Shen Xingwan. “And what do you say?”

Shen Xingwan bowed her head. “This humble daughter is devoted to the Prince. I will marry no one but him.”

The Emperor sneered. “So now it seems this is all my fault?”

“This humble daughter would not dare.”

The Emperor rose to his feet, looking down upon Shen Xingwan with a chilling tone. “What’s done is done. I am the Son of Heaven. How can I rescind an imperial decree and reverse a royal order?”

He turned to Yan Jinghuan. “Even if you are the regent prince sent by Yan Kingdom, you cannot act on impulse, show disdain for Wei’s imperial authority, and treat me as if I’m nothing!”

“Guards,” the Emperor called coldly. “Order the Imperial Household Department to prepare for the marriage between the Third Prince and Shen Xingwan. If anyone dares resist, execute them without mercy.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Chief Steward Guo responded in his shrill voice. He gave Shen Xingwan a sideways glance, then stepped back several paces before turning to leave.

Yan Jinghuan stepped up the imperial stairs and approached the Emperor, giving a solemn bow and speaking softly, “I can protect the young prince.”

The Emperor’s pupils contracted sharply, and he began coughing violently. Chief Steward Guo rushed forward to pat his back and help him breathe.

Once the Emperor finally calmed his cough, he looked up at Yan Jinghuan, the emotions in his eyes shifting repeatedly as if trying to discern his intentions.

Yan Jinghuan cupped his hands and said, “A loving father will always plan for his child’s future. Since Your Majesty cherishes the young prince so dearly, his future must be secured and bright.”

Shen Xingwan was shocked. Having lived through the vicious struggle for the throne in her previous life, she naturally understood who this “young prince” referred to.

In truth, the Emperor did not intend to pass the throne to the Third Prince, Wei Zilin. Otherwise, Wei Zilin and the Empress Dowager wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to win the Shen clan’s support and build power for the succession.

The Emperor secretly wished to pass the throne to the son of his beloved consort, Lady Shu—the Fourteenth Prince, Wei Zihui.

But Consort Shu came from humble origins and had no powerful family backing her. Not long after giving birth to the young prince, she was persecuted and killed due to palace intrigue.

The Emperor deeply loved the young prince and had protected him all the way to the age of nine. But now, with the Emperor gravely ill and the other princes eager to fight for the throne, he had summoned famous doctors in an effort to prolong his life—just to hold out until the young prince was old enough to ascend.

Otherwise, if he died, the young prince would surely be slaughtered by his ambitious brothers.

But lately, his health had been deteriorating rapidly, and it was obvious he wouldn’t last much longer—there was no way he could survive until the prince came of age.

So he agreed to the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Noble Consort’s suggestion: bestow Shen Xingwan in marriage to the Third Prince.

He knew the consequences of doing so, but the Empress Dowager had promised that in the future, the young prince would be sent to a fiefdom to live a wealthy and leisurely life as a noble lord.

He had long since given up hope, but if the young prince could receive Yan Jinghuan’s protection, then perhaps there was still a glimmer of light.

The Emperor’s thoughts were unreadable. He remained silent, seemingly deep in cautious consideration.

After a long while, the Emperor suddenly opened his mouth: “I…”

“The Empress Dowager has arrived!”