Chapter 82: Chapter 80: What Are You Thinking
The night was deep, and the world around was silently still.
Yan Zichu steadied the carriage and said softly, "Miss Shen, Ayue, we have arrived at Prince Qin Mansion."
A response came from inside, and only then did Yan Zichu lift the curtain. Shen Weixi helped the unsteady Yun Ran out of the carriage, her head spinning, "Yue’er, take it slow."
But Yun Ran still accidentally missed a step, and her whole body plunged towards the ground.
"Yue’er!"
Shen Weixi was startled and reached out, managing only to grab a corner of her clothes.
Fortunately, Yan Zichu caught Yun Ran in time, his brows lightly furrowed with some concern, "Ayue, are you okay?"
Yun Ran steadied herself with her hands on his chest, shaking her somewhat muddled head, "Thank you, cousin, I’m fine."
Internally, she regretted drinking too much. Lin Wanyue’s body was really no match for alcohol, making her head spin and the ground appear to sway uncontrollably.
Yan Zichu touched the top of her head softly, his tone gentle, "I’ll have someone make you some sober-up soup later. Rest well tonight, and you’ll feel better."
But in the next moment, Yan Zichu’s gaze sharpened, frowning as he looked into the distant darkness.
By then, the night was deep, and the long street was empty, only the chilling sound of the breeze resonating in the human world.
Shen Weixi, noticing Yan Zichu’s unusual demeanor, asked with some confusion, "Yan, what’s wrong?"
Yan Zichu’s brows furrowed slightly. After glancing around, he withdrew his gaze, "Just now, I sensed a sharp aura of killing intent, but in an instant, it vanished without a trace."
At his words, Shen Weixi also looked around warily but could not detect any unusual movement.
This, instead, set off alarms in her heart:
It seemed that the person lurking in the dark was far above them in skill level.
Shen Weixi thought about how they needed to quickly get Yun Ran inside, and just then, the gates of Prince Qin Mansion opened.
Ying Yue hurried over with a fox-fur cloak in her arms, followed by a team carrying a palanquin.
"Princess."
Ying Yue quickly helped Yun Ran over, taking off Yan Zichu’s coat from her shoulders, spreading out the fox-fur to wrap around her, and carefully tying the strap.
She then turned to Shen Weixi and Yan Zichu, "Thank you, Miss Shen and Young Master Yan, for escorting my princess home. Many thanks."
"This coat, Ying Yue will return it to Young Master Yan after it’s washed."
"No need to trouble yourself."
Yan Zichu politely replied, attempting to take back the coat, but Ying Yue stepped back, "This is the hospitality of Prince Qin Mansion. Please don’t refuse and make things difficult for Ying Yue."
This coat had been worn by her princess, leaving the princess’s aura. How could it be returned without washing away every trace of it? What was he thinking!
Yan Zichu: "..."
Shen Weixi spoke up in time to ease the atmosphere, "Yue’er had some wine. Please, would the lady make her some sober-up soup?"
"Rest assured, Miss Shen, Ying Yue will take good care of my princess."
"That’s good, farewell then."
"You two, take care."
Yun Ran pressed on her muddled head, feeling like the seemingly polite and usual conversation between these people was actually filled with hidden danger and undercurrents.
"Weixi, cousin, take your time on the road. Next time, come and visit us at the mansion!"
Shen Weixi: "Sure, sure, I’ll definitely come to see you!"
No matter what, I won’t give up on taking you away from the mansion!!!
...
By the time the palanquin reached Tingfeng Pavilion, Yun Ran was almost asleep.
Ying Yue glanced at the tightly shut palace doors. Though feeling a bit conflicted internally, she bit her lip and resolutely said:
"Princess, the sleeping quarters have arrived. You go in first; I’ll go get you the sober-up soup."
"Okay."
Then, just as Ying Yue was stepping out of the courtyard, she heard a startled cry from Yun Ran behind her...