Shen Yanchuan suddenly cut her off. He lifted his gaze slightly, his dark, cold eyes landing on her. A storm seemed to be brewing beneath his placid surface, as if something was about to break free and surge forth.

Ye Chutang: "..."

’With Shen Yanchuan’s connections, she refused to believe he hadn’t heard the recent rumors about them that were running rampant throughout the Capital City.’

Shen Yanchuan watched her, then spoke with a casual air—

"Besides, who said they were rumors?"

...

The atmosphere grew subtly tense.

Ye Chutang’s eyelashes fluttered. She silently swallowed the words that had been on the tip of her tongue. ’I can’t possibly respond to that.’

Shen Yanchuan silently observed the woman across from him, hoping to glimpse even the faintest ripple of emotion on her face.

She was far too clever not to understand what he meant.

’When I said that, I considered many possible reactions,’ he thought. ’But this one... this was the one I wanted to see least of all.’

It was like a drop of water falling into the ocean—vanishing without so much as a ripple, as if nothing had happened at all.

Shen Yanchuan’s expression tightened, and his long fingers tapped lightly on his knee. Looking at the young woman’s calm and tranquil face, he felt for the first time what it meant to be utterly helpless.

’Any other woman, even one with no interest in me, would have at least blushed.’

’But her? No reaction whatsoever.’

’No one could guess what she was thinking. She was unfathomable. Even getting close to her seemed an impossible task.’

"Princely Heir, you sent men to intercept Han Tong today. Was there any trouble?"

Ye Chutang smoothly changed the subject, moving on to other matters.

Shen Yanchuan stared at her for several seconds before finally speaking in a cool voice. "Are you worried about me, Second Miss Ye?"

Ye Chutang: "..."

She gave a slight smile, her tone earnest and polite. "You saved my life today, so naturally, I am concerned for you. What’s more, the evidence the Han Family has uncovered is very likely related to the assassination of my parents and brother."

Her reply was flawless, poised and proper, yet it felt as if she had raised an invisible barrier between them.

Shen Yanchuan paused. "Rest assured. I already requested permission from His Majesty last night."

’So it really was His Majesty’s will.’

This was as Ye Chutang had expected, but hearing Shen Yanchuan confirm it, she still let out a soft sigh of relief. "That’s good."

’Thoroughly investigating what happened back then would take an enormous amount of effort if it was just me and Xu Fengchi.’

’But if His Majesty knew there was foul play, he would absolutely see the investigation through to the end, if only to save face.’

’It’s always easier to let the wind do the work.’

Ye Chutang understood. All she needed to do was plant the seed. When the time was right, someone else would see things through for her.

Ye Chutang lifted the carriage curtain and glanced outside, her dark, luminous eyes narrowing slightly.

It was just past noon. The perfect sunlight spilled over her face, making her skin look like the finest white jade, warm and exquisite.

This only served to make the bloody mark on her slender neck stand out even more.

The movement pulled at the wound, causing Ye Chutang to frown slightly.

"Sss..."

Shen Yanchuan’s heart stirred, and he unconsciously leaned forward. "What is it? Is the wound hurting again?"

Ye Chutang turned back, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

’Anyone else, maybe. But with Shen Yanchuan’s keen eye, he should have been able to tell I was faking it. After all, he’s one of the few people who has ever seen me fight.’

’Besides, he’d spent years in the Northern Land and witnessed his share of battles on the border. How could he fail to see that the mark on my neck was just a superficial scratch?’

And yet, looking at him now, she could see a flicker of unconcealed nervousness in his eyes.

It was gone in a flash, but it had been unmistakable.

"That’s not it," Ye Chutang admitted honestly. "I’m just getting back late. I’m wondering if Xiao Wu has eaten. It should be time for their nap."

Shen Yanchuan: "..."