Chapter 9: You Still Have a Home in Jiangzhou?

At the mention of Shen Lin's name, his tone grew complicated.

He and Shen Lin had grown up together.

When Shen Lin inherited the title at fourteen and came to the palace to give thanks, Xiao Zhengting stood at his Imperial Father's side and watched the boy dressed head to toe in mourning white, eyes red and swollen, not shedding a single tear.

Even then, he'd thought: This one is tough.

Later, Shen Lin became his most trusted right arm.

Through the shadowed power struggles at court, through the life-and-death battles at the border, Shen Lin never once flinched.

Xiao Zhengting knew he had a schemer's mind himself. Born into the imperial family, no one survived this long without one.

But toward the Shen family, he did hold some genuine feeling.

"I know you're worried about your brother."

Xiao Zhengting looked at Shen Heng, his voice softening.

"But have you thought about it? To Shen Lin, you—his sister—mean more than anything. He's held Liangzhou all these years and carries no fewer than forty scars, big and small. What do you think he's been fighting for? Glory? Rank? No. He did it for the peace of Da Zhao's borders—and to carve out a safe place for you."

Shen Heng lowered her eyes.

Her lashes cast a small shadow across her face, hiding the emotions churning beneath.

"He'd rather die on the battlefield himself than see you suffer the slightest grievance."

Xiao Zhengting said.

"If you insist on going to the Northern Border, it will cut him to the bone. I don't want to watch him suffer over this."

He fell silent for a moment, then stepped forward and raised the gauze lantern in his hand a little higher. The dim yellow light brought Shen Heng's face into clearer view.

"The Northern Border delegation will remain in the capital for a month."

Xiao Zhengting said quietly.

"During that month, if you change your mind—if you decide you don't want to marry—come to me anytime. I'll find a way to help you. You're Shen Lin's sister, which makes you mine as well."

Shen Heng lifted her head and glanced at him.

The original novel had plenty to say about Xiao Zhengting.

This Third Prince was deep and calculating, well supplied with both cunning and method, flawless in execution—born emperor material.

But toward the Shen family, he had never done them wrong.

After Shen Lin's death, he had been consumed with grief, throwing everything into hunting down the true culprit. In the end he failed to overturn the case, but he paid a heavy price for trying.

Still, Shen Heng knew: lean on a mountain and the mountain crumbles; lean on a person and the person runs.

Xiao Zhengting's promise was sincere, but how far he'd honor it depended on where his interests drew the line.

Once it came down to the fundamentals, no one would stand unconditionally with the Shen family.

No one but herself.

"Thank you, Third Brother."

Shen Heng bowed slightly, her tone earnest but firm.

"But my mind is made up. I won't change it."

Xiao Zhengting looked at her. After a long pause, he sighed softly.

"So be it."

He handed the gauze lantern to an attendant behind him and drew his crane cloak tighter.

"When you need help, come find me anytime. The Shen family's affairs—I will always see to them."

He turned and walked away.

His black robes receded into the night, fading around the corner of the palace wall until they vanished.

Shen Heng withdrew her gaze. She was just about to step forward when a crisp electronic chime sounded in her head.

[Ding—Timed Task Reminder: Get Agu to speak a sentence to the Host of his own accord. Time remaining: five days. Penalty for exceeding the limit: 25 Stamina points deducted.]

Shen Heng's footsteps halted.

[Ding—Friendly Reminder: Agu is still mute! Host, please hurry and think of something!]

"…You really are a wonderful system."

Shen Heng said flatly in her mind.

"Always there to make my life harder."

[Ding—Thank you for the compliment, Host!]

"I wasn't complimenting you. Get lost."

[Ding—Understood, Host. System will shut up now. Call anytime you need me!]

Shen Heng took a deep breath and forcibly shoved the system into the back of her mind, ignoring it.

By the time she returned to the General's Manor, it was past the third watch.

Chun Yuan had sent a carriage ahead, wrapping the curtains tight the whole way, terrified Shen Heng might catch a chill from the night wind and start coughing.

Shen Heng leaned back against the carriage seat, eyes closed, running the night's events through her mind from beginning to end.

Xun Zhuo's reaction had been about what she expected.

Neither cold nor warm, neither close nor distant—like a flawless statue.

It doesn't matter.

Shen Heng thought.

Take it slow.

The system said she had two years.

Two years was enough to do a great many things.

The carriage stopped before the General's Manor gate.

Shen Heng climbed down. Instead of heading straight back to her own courtyard, she turned a corner toward the East Wing.

The lights in the East Wing were still on.

Lanterns under the eaves swayed gently in the night breeze, casting layered rings of dim yellow light across the stone steps before the door.

Shen Heng walked up to the doorway. Before she could push it open, the door swung inward.

Agu stood behind it, looking up at her.

He was still wearing the clean clothes from the daytime, his curly hair a mess, as if he'd been running his hands through it over and over.

A flicker of barely perceptible tension lingered in his reddish-brown eyes. The moment he saw Shen Heng, it quietly eased.

He had been waiting for her.

Shen Heng's heart softened without warning.

Since coming back from the beast-fighting arena, the child had clearly latched onto her—like a little wolf cub abandoned once before, who'd finally found a safe place and was terrified of being cast out again.

"Still awake?"

Shen Heng stepped inside.

"Waiting for me?"

Agu didn't answer, just looked at her.

His gaze traveled over her face, as if checking her for injuries.

Shen Heng was amused by the sight.

She pulled a small cloth bundle from her sleeve and placed it in his hand.

The bundle still carried her warmth. Opened, it revealed several pieces of osmanthus cake wrapped in oil paper, two jujube-paste pastries, and a few delicate treats from the palace banquet.

"I told you I'd bring you something good."

Shen Heng sat down across from him and poked his forehead with a finger.

"Your big sister keeps her word."

Agu held the packet of treats and stared down at it for a long while.

Candlelight played across his face, making those reddish-brown eyes shine bright.

He pursed his lips, smiled at her, then carefully picked up a piece of pastry and took a bite.

Shen Heng poured herself a cup of tea, poured one for Agu too, and pushed it toward him to signal he should wet his throat.

Agu picked up the cup and drank, cheeks still stuffed with half a piece of osmanthus cake, chewing noisily.

Shen Heng watched him over her tea. The way the kid ate was honestly adorable—like a hamster hoarding grain.

"Agu."

She set down her cup.

"I've volunteered to go to the Northern Border for the marriage alliance."

Agu's chewing stopped.

He looked up, and a spark kindled in his reddish-brown eyes—like a bonfire on the snow plains suddenly fanned by the wind.

Agu's thoughts were easy to read. The Northern Border was his home.

If Shen Heng could go to the Northern Border, of course he was happy.

At the Northern Border Royal Court, he could protect her—just as she had protected him in the beast-fighting arena.

But Shen Heng noticed his brow quickly furrow again.

Agu's gaze lifted from the osmanthus cake. He looked at her, then dropped his eyes, lips pressing together.