The room suddenly became quiet.

So quiet, it seemed even the sound of breathing could be heard.

An Ning said no more.

Lin Zichan also remained silent.

It was as if they both knowingly chose silence.

Silently agreeing on their choice.

No need to say it out loud.

After An Ning treated Lin Zichan’s wound, she packed up her medicine box and left.

Lin Zichan courteously escorted her to the door.

An Ning paused, speaking, "Can’t you stay?"

Suddenly she asked him.

Without turning back, she spoke indifferently.

Lin Zichan watched her back, not answering for a long time.

An Ning’s hand holding the medicine box was faintly trembling.

"The Crown Prince and the Princess both really like you. Don’t you wish to stay by their side... to watch them grow up?" An Ning asked again.

Her voice, suppressed.

Lin Zichan swallowed down the words that were about to come out of his mouth.

He thought, indeed.

To her, it was only about the two children.

He said, "The Crown Prince and the Princess are in the Imperial Palace, they won’t be in danger and can live well, they don’t need small companionship. My presence would only affect their growth."

An Ning’s fists clenched.

Then she said nothing and just left.

Lin Zichan watched the back of An Ning leaving.

His eyes, dim.

...

The next few days.

An Ning was constantly busy.

Busy dealing with the shop’s affairs with Yan Jinyao.

An Youyou was busy every day too, busy playing around.

She practically explored all of Wenzhou City, having a great time.

On this day, An Youyou was still lively and planned to go out when she happened to see Lin Zichan practicing with his sword in the courtyard.

An Youyou was entranced watching.

After Lin Zichan finished his sword practice, she didn’t forget to clap her little hands, "Lin guard, your martial arts are incredible! So wonderful!"

Lin Zichan put away his sword and walked over to An Youyou, bending down to say respectfully, "Does the Princess want to learn sword practice?"

"I want to, but I’m clumsy, I’m afraid I won’t learn well." An Youyou was still aware of her limitations.

When it comes to learning, aside from her exceptional talent in medical skills, she is quite clueless in everything else, especially compared to her brother.

"You don’t have to learn it very well." Lin Zichan advised, "Girls with some martial skills can protect themselves when they go out. And you like to venture beyond the palace."

"Alright." An Youyou agreed quickly after hearing Lin Zichan’s words, "Then I want to learn."

"I’ll teach you."

"Great." An Youyou was visibly excited.

Lin Zichan handed his sword to An Youyou.

"So heavy." An Youyou frowned.

"First, I’ll teach you to recognize the sword so you won’t hurt yourself."

"Oh." An Youyou obediently nodded.

Lin Zichan seriously explained the structure of the sword to An Youyou and then practiced with her for a while.

Indeed, An Youyou wasn’t very perceptive.

Probably takes after An Ning.

The two practiced for quite a while.

An Youyou felt tired.

She always found it difficult to complete tasks, aside from being somewhat interested when her mother forced her to study medicine; she quickly loses interest in everything else, including studying and literacy.

"I’m going out to play now." An Youyou declared.

Lin Zichan didn’t force her.

He understood her character.

A short burst of enthusiasm.

"Alright, Princess, be safe when you’re out." Lin Zichan put away his sword. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Lin guard, come out with me. Wenzhou is so fun." An Youyou invited.

Lin Zichan hesitated a little.

"Come on, let’s go." An Youyou proactively pulled Lin Zichan’s hand and headed out of the residence.

At that moment.

An Ning and Yan Jinyao were also preparing to go out, and they saw Lin Zichan and An Youyou leaving together from a distance.

Yan Jinyao saw too and murmured, "It’s Lin guard accompanying little miss out. I haven’t seen Lin guard go out usually, he’s been staying in the residence these days, either not coming out of his room or practicing martial arts. It’s rare for him to go out today."

An Ning responded with a sound and didn’t mind.

She and Yan Jinyao sat in the carriage.

Yan Jinyao said again, "I wonder how old Lin guard is this year?"

An Ning’s eyes slightly moved, looking at Yan Jinyao.

Yan Jinyao seemed a bit flushed, "Boss knows I’m twenty-six this year, and I haven’t thought about marriage. After all, my birth wasn’t good, any man would care. But thinking about it, if I meet someone suitable, maybe I could try. Lin guard seems around twenty-five or six, I wonder if he’s married yet?!"