Volume 1, Chapter 18: Sheltering in the Ruined Temple

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Abandoned Temple

Shang Yinqiong carefully laid the person she was carrying onto a pile of dry straw, then sat down nearby, wiping the sweat from her brow.

Jiang Xuanye glanced down at the bandaged wound on his chest.

In that moment, a swirl of complex emotions stirred within him.

He had never expected that the Third Prince’s men had been watching him all along.

Today, he had intended only to probe the true nature of the Third Miss, so naturally, he had brought no guards, only two covert agents. The Third Prince’s group numbered no fewer than ten. His two agents could only hold them off briefly to allow his escape.

Zan Ren should have already discovered his situation here.

But he was uncertain...

His gaze settled on Shang Yinqiong, silently hoping she wouldn’t be frightened upon his arrival.

The woman’s slender arms reached toward him.

Jiang Xuanye furrowed his brows, slightly puzzled.

“You promised gold. You’re not planning to renege, are you?”

Shang Yinqiong looked at him with guarded eyes.

Jiang Xuanye chuckled softly.

So it was all about the gold.

He took two gold ingots from his pocket and placed them in her hand.

Their hands touched lightly for a moment before separating.

So soft.

That was the only thought crossing Jiang Xuanye’s mind.

Shang Yinqiong tucked the gold into her pocket as if it were a treasure. “I’ve brought you to a safe place. Don’t go around putting a knife to my neck again.”

Even if no one else cared, her life was precious.

Jiang Xuanye lowered his gaze, a faint curve lifting the edge of his lips beneath his mask. “My apologies for any offense.”

“Then I’d better be going.”

No sooner had Shang Yinqiong spoken than a rumble of thunder echoed nearby.

Something was wrong!

She looked out the window. In an instant, a heavy rain began to fall.

Jiang Xuanye was stunned. “It seems the heavens are not cooperating.”

“Brr.”

Shang Yinqiong crossed her arms, feeling for the fabric on her arms.

Noticing her chill, Jiang Xuanye pressed his arm against a pillar and slowly stood.

“What are you doing?”

Shang Yinqiong watched him warily.

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Jiang Xuanye said nothing. His movements were slow but resolute.

He retrieved some dry wood from a corner untouched by rain, gathered some straw, and produced a fire striker from his belongings.

The warm firelight flickered across their faces.

Recognizing Shang Yinqiong’s caution, he stepped aside, leaving just enough warmth for her. “Come warm yourself.”

Seeing his gesture, Shang Yinqiong moved closer.

The warmth soon spread through her body, and the sudden comfort made her feel drowsy.

She slyly rolled her eyes.

All because of this man, dragging her along.

Otherwise, she’d have scaled the wall and returned long ago to her warm bed, instead of freezing here, hungry and afraid that closing her eyes might invite harm.

“Are you being hunted by enemies?”

Half-asleep, Shang Yinqiong broke the silence.

Jiang Xuanye gave a low grunt.

She turned her head, gently patting her cheek, silently urging herself to stay awake.

“You’re not some ruthless criminal wanted by the law, are you?”

As she spoke, she subtly shifted a little away.

Jiang Xuanye smiled inwardly.

Did he really look that frightening?

Though his injuries might suggest otherwise, he replied, “No, it’s just a dispute over something valuable. We’re wary of each other, and injuries happened in the process.”

Hearing this, Shang Yinqiong’s tension slowly eased.

“That attacker was ruthless. If your wound had been just an inch off, you wouldn’t have survived.”

“Are you a healer?”

Jiang Xuanye’s sharp eyes, hidden in the dim light like a wolf’s in the night—alert and dangerous—peer into her.

Shang Yinqiong sighed softly. “A long illness makes one a good doctor, but I wouldn’t call myself one.”

“You’ve been badly hurt before?”

Jiang Xuanye probed gently.

Shang Yinqiong gave no answer, but everything seemed unspoken between them.

As Jiang Xuanye turned to add more wood to the fire, he heard a soft rustling behind him.

Before he could turn, his hand grasped her wrist. “If you leave now in this rain, you risk catching a chill. Wait until dawn—it’ll be just right.”

Shang Yinqiong looked outside into the pitch-black night and abandoned her plan to leave.

But staying out all night—would that cause trouble with Ling Yu?

If this matter reached Shang Runyu and Madam Yu, she didn’t know how they would deal with her.

Thinking of these things, Shang Yinqiong felt vexed.

She found a comfortable spot, leaning against a stone pillar, narrowing her eyes. Her voice was lazy but she forced herself to speak, “What’s your name? Why cover the lower half of your face with a mask when you travel? Do you have something to hide?”

Her spirit revived somewhat at her own words.

Yet he remained silent for a long while. The only sound was the fire crackling.

“Zi Sheng.”

“Hm?”

Jiang Xuanye lowered his voice. “You may call me Zi Sheng.”

He pulled a small dagger from his chest and handed it to Shang Yinqiong. “You can keep this for protection. If you get sleepy, rest first. I mean you no harm.”

Shang Yinqiong accepted the dagger with polite thanks, though half in doubt.

Both closed their eyes to rest, warmed by the fire.

The sky began to brighten with a gentle white glow.

Zan Ren and his men arrived. Just as they were about to speak, Jiang Xuanye’s icy glare silenced them.

They immediately noticed the figure sleeping against the stone pillar and lowered their voices in understanding. “Your Highness, we were delayed by the Third Prince’s men last night. We just finished dealing with them and have come to assist you.”

Jiang Xuanye waved them off. “It’s nothing.”

He had underestimated the Third Prince’s power—sending so many men after him.

Did he not care about the cost of training these covert agents?

When did the Third Prince acquire so much silver?

“Investigate who the Third Prince has been associating with recently, especially officials in the court.”

Since the trail had gone cold, he could not afford to keep these men around.

“Yes.”

Zan Ren acknowledged the order. “Your Highness, shall we depart now?”

They had pursued relentlessly, yet their lord appeared calm and composed, only his weary expression betraying a hunted man from last night.

Just as Jiang Xuanye was about to speak, the sleeping figure stirred.

They all held their breath, ready to act the moment she woke and tried to flee.

But nothing happened. She turned over and fell asleep more soundly.

Jiang Xuanye glanced at her, a faint trace of admiration flickering in his eyes. Turning back to his men, his gaze hardened. “You may leave first.”

His subordinates exchanged looks but ultimately obeyed.

As the sun was about to rise, Jiang Xuanye nudged Shang Yinqiong with a piece of wood.

Startled awake, she gripped the dagger tightly, eyes wide with suspicion.

Her wariness had not yet faded; she was like a bristling hedgehog.