Ye Chutang took the handkerchief, and the startling splash of crimson on her slender neck was instantly covered.

"Thank you, Princely Heir."

Despite her disheveled state and faint breathing, she still curtsied with perfect decorum. Self-restrained and dignified, her every word and action were beyond reproach.

A lock of stray hair fell. She raised a hand to gently tuck it behind her ear, and when she looked up again, her dark, gentle eyes were once more calm.

It was as if she wasn’t the one whose life had just been threatened, nor the one who had come moments away from death.

Shen Yanchuan’s gaze fell upon the young woman’s pale cheeks.

Her eyes showed no fear, only complete composure, as if nothing in the world could faze her.

Perhaps from a lack of oxygen, Ye Chutang’s vision went black as she tried to stand. She staggered and began to fall backward.

Shen Yanchuan raised a hand to steady her, almost instinctively.

"Chu—"

"Chutang!"

Princess Qingyang frantically pushed through the crowd and rushed over.

"How are you!?"

Ye Chutang quickly steadied herself and shook her head gently, a little surprised. "Commandery Princess, what are you doing here?"

"Because of you, of course!" Princess Qingyang had been watching the whole ordeal with a terrified heart and was now drenched in anxious sweat.

Ye Chutang’s heart warmed. "Don’t worry, Commandery Princess. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine."

Ye Yunfeng had already rushed over. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Sis!"

He looked Ye Chutang up and down anxiously.

"Sis, how are you? Are you badly hurt?"

’If anything had really happened to Sis, he would’ve made Han Yao suffer death by a thousand cuts!’

Ye Chutang gave him a reassuring smile, her eyebrows curving gently. "Don’t worry, I’m fine."

’This little flesh wound was nothing compared to her old ones.’

Watching this scene, Shen Yanchuan’s fingers curled slightly before he silently drew his hand back.

Ye Yunfeng turned his head to look at Han Yao, who had collapsed on the ground, the anger in his heart still raging.

He clenched his fists tightly, a murderous glint in his eyes.

A warm hand gently covered his wrist.

"It’s getting late. If we don’t go back soon, your third brother and Xiao Wu will be worried."

The voice, though slightly hoarse, was still low, gentle, and calm. It seemed to carry an invisible power that naturally set one’s mind at ease.

Ye Yunfeng took a deep breath and finally turned back to Ye Chutang, the indignant youth looking stubborn yet restrained.

Ye Chutang’s smile deepened slightly.

"Let’s go."

Her gaze shifted slightly, only to find that Shen Yanchuan’s eyes seemed to have been fixed on her this entire time.

Ye Chutang feigned ignorance and gave a slight nod.

"I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you with the rest, Princely Heir."

"Don’t worry, leave it to me." Shen Yanchuan turned his head and ordered, "Lian Zhou, prepare the carriage."

Ye Chutang subconsciously started to refuse. "Thank you for your kindness, Princely Heir, but A Feng and I can go back on our own. There’s no need to trouble—"

Princess Qingyang immediately cut in, "Let me take you—"

"Take them all away. I will interrogate them personally when I return," Shen Yanchuan ordered coolly, seeming not to have heard Princess Qingyang.

Princess Qingyang’s eyelid twitched. The realization dawned on her a moment later.

’...Did I just offend my brother???’

Ye Chutang was also a bit surprised and blinked lightly.

’Why does it sound like Shen Yanchuan... intends to escort me back personally?’

Watching the Dingbei Marquis Mansion carriage slowly approach, Ye Chutang resisted the idea.

’With so many people watching Shen Yanchuan escort me into this carriage, rumors will surely be flying all over the Capital City by tomorrow.’

However, before she could voice her refusal, Shen Yanchuan said, "Your injury can’t wait."

Ye Yunfeng immediately switched sides.

"That’s right, Sis! We should go back and get that injury looked at!"

’He knew his sister’s injury wasn’t life-threatening, but with her old shoulder wound still unhealed and now this new one, how could he not be worried? It was best to save her whatever strength he could.’

Ye Chutang paused for a moment, then turned to look at Princess Qingyang.

Princess Qingyang glanced quickly in a certain direction, her feet seemingly welded to the floor. Her expression was resolute. "I just remembered the Eldest Princess is still waiting for me at the mansion. You guys go on back, I won’t join you!"

...

Inside the carriage, it was completely silent.

Ye Chutang found the atmosphere a bit strange and took the initiative to speak. "Princely Heir, you really didn’t need to go to such trouble. So many people saw us today. When the rumors start up again, I’m afraid—"

"What rumors?"