Chapter 4, His Highness the Prince of Yan

Fortunately, her face could not display any expressions, and her anxiety was neither concealed nor very obvious. Lan Dan made an effort to steady her gaze, reminding herself not to reveal any signs of panic, as this person could not possibly recognize her

In retrospect, it turns out that this second young master had indeed attended the court banquets and noble gatherings, but his elder brother's brilliance overshadowed him, rendering him invisible. If it were not for Lan Dan's attention to everyone related to Shen Tu Cheng, she would not have recognized him and would not even remember if she had ever spoken to him. But... could it be... that it was he who saved her?

I do not want to go, and I am not afraid of death

Before the curtain was fully drawn, she quickly surveyed her surroundings. It seemed that His Highness, the Prince of Yan from the Great Yan, was not favored by the new emperor. She had entered the residence through a side door in the back alley, and the regulations of this mansion appeared exceedingly modest for a nobleman.

Hmm—" Shentu Rui showed a slight interest in this question, as if pondering it, yet also teasingly elongated his tone, "Because you should have given up on Shentu Cheng. " After saying this, he maliciously followed up with a question, "Have you given up? "

She thinks he is delusional

Having suffered such a significant loss, who could she still trust? This question merely serves to mock herself

She suddenly realized how foolish she was; this was no longer the world of the Great Min. The people she thought of, not to mention being able to let her enter the city at night, were likely struggling to ensure their own safety.

Shentu Cheng promised her a lifelong love, to grow old together and so on, and she believed him. She believed every word he said. He also claimed to have secretly formed an alliance with the Crown Prince, and once the plan succeeded and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he would become a trusted minister, able to provide her with a life of glory and honor.

Shentu Rui also looked at her, raising the corner of his mouth; whether in the past or present, she was still far from it, her thoughts could be seen through at a glance

The leader of the guards chuckled twice, leaned closer to General Zhang, and lowered his voice, saying: "Our prince has taken a young lady in Juangjiao, and on the way back to the capital, they encountered a minor incident, which delayed them until now. The young lady finds it inconvenient to stay outside the city, and the prince is also worried, which is why he has alerted the brothers guarding the city to make arrangements, opening the city gates overnight.

She sneered, "I have long been without a home or a country, without relatives or friends."

The guard cleared his throat, and General Zhang, as if awakening from a dream, took a step back in confusion and slowly lowered the curtain of the carriage

"Let's go!" General Zhang suddenly turned serious, becoming angry

Lan Dan's face was pale; after a moment's pause, she managed a bitter and sarcastic smile, "Indeed, I did not expect this."

"You are ... ... " General Zhang asked coldly, not recognizing the leader of the guards

A young gentleman, dressed in a light fur coat and a loose belt, reclines elegantly on a warm couch, his posture relaxed yet graceful. He possesses fair skin and handsome features, clearly tall and upright, yet exuding a hint of alluring charm.

"Go to Shen Tu Cheng's side and, at the moment I deem appropriate, kill him." Shen Tu Rui still spoke with an air of nonchalance.

Warm, bright, and full of dazzling sights... This is the environment she has been familiar with for eighteen years. After just a few months apart, being back in such surroundings evokes a complex mix of emotions within her, leaving her unable to discern whether it is sadness or a sigh.

"Are you also trying to use me to usurp the throne?" She scoffed coldly, too lazy to even lift the corners of her mouth, merely letting out a disdainful snort from her nose

"Why do you want to be the emperor as well?" Lan Dan had many questions to ask, but she decided to start with this one

Heaven has played such a grand joke, but who is truly being mocked

The young gentleman smiled, sat up, yet did not get off the bed, "What?" He smiled, and in his eyes seemed to be a curve of a deep pool, reflecting the lights and candles in the room, sparkling with enchanting star-like points. "Did you not think of me on your list of benefactors?"

Shentu Rui brushed his hair off his shoulder with a troubled expression, performing the feminine gesture with great elegance, "I can only die, but I am reluctant to do so"

He smiled as if baiting and said: "Where is your homeland and the world?"

I don't know. "Shentu Rui couldn't even be bothered to lie, saying, 'I was just asking if you are going. You might not even live to see the day when I benefit from you.'"

Is it you? Lan Dan was somewhat surprised, but fortunately, her expression was neutral, and her astonishment was limited to her eyes, which appeared cold and proud in a very natural manner

Lan Dan paused for a moment, seemingly struggling to comprehend the sentence. Suddenly, she burst into hearty laughter, shaking so much that she could hardly stand, and fell to the ground, continuing to laugh.

The interior of the mansion was quite elegant, with many fine items displayed along the way. The courtyard she was heading to was even more meticulously arranged. The maid led her into a small hall, lifted the brocade curtain, and a warm breeze greeted Lan Dan, easing her heart, causing her to let out a gentle sigh

Just as I was thinking, someone suddenly shouted with an extraordinary presence

He laughed heartily and confidently said, "I really can't wait to let you experience it properly; then you can answer me."

The carriage turned the corner, and the deputy general approached the still-dazed general, asking, "What does the new favorite of the King of Yan look like? Is she beautiful? To think she wouldn't even wait for a night and insists on making a grand entrance into the city tonight." He said this in a tone he usually used for joking, with a lewd undertone.

Having lived in the imperial city since childhood, she had never heard such a sound. She always adhered to the rules and would not venture out at night. ... Lan Dan could not help but speculate endlessly about the person who saved her, someone who could easily enter and exit the city gates at this time. ... A few individuals flashed through her mind, including the elderly Uncle Wang. The wheels ran over a small stone, causing the entire carriage to jolt, and Lan Dan's heart followed suit, rising and falling.

This statement is overly sentimental and ambiguous, so he added another sentence, "I can't bear to see the effort I put into you go to waste"

Shentu Rui smiled lightly, surprisingly at ease, "Shentu Cheng is merely a nominal vassal, yet he can usurp the world; why can't I? After all, I am still a prince."

Lan Dan did not respond; she often finds it difficult to control her own thoughts, let alone gauge the thoughts of others

Lan Danmu nodded, understanding.

The person who saved her... ? ... The actions are truly puzzling. Picking her up from the graveyard in the dead of night was naturally to avoid being seen, yet they went straight into the city, violating the prohibition against entering the city. Were they afraid that others wouldn't know?

The Yan Wang Mansion... General Zhang pondered for a moment, his tone softened considerably, and he said with difficulty, "Brother, you are putting your elder brother in a difficult position. The curfew in the capital is very strict now; why must your esteemed ladies enter the city in the middle of the night?" The sound of armor clinking was heard again, indicating that General Zhang had dismounted.

Shentu Cheng ordered her to poison the Emperor, and then usurped the throne, executing her in public. Shentu Rui went to great lengths to rescue her, asking her to poison Shentu Cheng, as he also desired the dragon throne.

The leader of the guards, appearing somewhat flustered, interjected, "General, General! I fear that you..."

This is a demeanor that is both imposing and ambitious, yet his tone remains languid as he says: "Is it not permissible?"

It is quite strange that the conversations between her and Shen Tu Rui are straightforward and candid, leaving no room for concealment. This is likely influenced by Shen Tu Rui, who is very adept at expressing conspiracies in a sincere and direct manner

Lan Dan observed his calm demeanor and thought he must be well-prepared, which eased her mind. Only then did she involuntarily furrow her brow, asking, "Who is this Yan Wang that has suddenly appeared?"

It is too ironic and too ridiculous

Now, upon meeting, Shen Tu Rui is strikingly captivating... Is it because his brother is not present

General Zhang, upon hearing this, let out a dry laugh and said, "Even so, I must still conduct the usual inspection. First, I must express my displeasure to Your Highness; it is my duty, and there is no way around it"

Shen Tu Rui quietly gazed at her until Lan Dan, unable to bear the heaviness, turned to look at him. His focus caused his brows to slightly furrow, his eye sockets to appear somewhat sunken, and the ends of his eyebrows to rise handsomely, as if they were about to sweep towards his temples, his dark eyes exceptionally deep.

Lan Dan looked at him strangely, truly, she could not understand at all what he was doing. How could such words be spoken so casually, as if they were just chatting? With someone like her, a remnant of the previous dynasty, with whom he had no connection at all?

Lan Dan's lips twitched slightly, feeling a bit like scolding him, yet unsure of what to say.

Indeed not. Lan Dan answered honestly, looking at Shen Tu Rui in front of him with some confusion, always feeling that there was something different about him compared to before

"As brothers, we were equal, but suddenly he became the emperor; how can I not feel resentful"

Lan Dan listened to their argument, feeling somewhat prepared. At this moment, she quietly observed him; after all, he was of royal descent, and his demeanor and grace were ingrained in his very being.

Lan Dan choked for a moment, her throat felt dry, and she almost couldn't catch her breath. Her previous remark was merely a simple sarcasm; could it be that by a twist of fate, she inadvertently hit upon Shen Tu Rui's thoughts?

The vice general, feeling perplexed, quickly fell silent and cautiously followed the general as he mounted his horse

Shentu Rui hesitated for a moment and inquired with his eyes.