MYUFPC CHAPTER 13
I didn't ask you, don't speak
Zhan Shaoying's first half of life could be described as smooth sailing.
Born into the illustrious An Guo Gong's mansion, as the eldest grandson of the Duke, he was born with a golden spoon in his mouth and never needed to deliberately pursue anything.
His father, Zhan Tai, was the Heir of the Duke's mansion, and his mother, Zhang Shi, was from the Cheng'en Marquis's mansion, both of whom were famous figures in the capital. Zhan Shaoying stood squarely on the shoulders of his parents, enjoying all the wealth and glory as a matter of right.
Fame, status, and money... for him, it seemed like all these things were easily obtainable.
He was only seventeen years old, so young. But relying on his family background, he could easily enter the Ministry of Transmission and Communication, something many people yearned for.
Even when his grandfather told him that he might marry a princess in the future, Zhan Shaoying didn't find it surprising at all.
He had always felt that his life was destined to be so successful.
Life was full of flavors, but his life had only sweetness.
So when the Eldests Princess's cold gaze swept over him, Zhan Shaoying felt a sharp pain in his heart, so much so that he didn't dare to look directly into Jiashan's eyes.
He was afraid he would see a sense of frustration in her eyes—which was not what he expected.
Zhan Shaoying was momentarily confused.
After his confusion, the first thing he thought about was not "What if the Eldest Princess doesn't like me?" but "Why wouldn't the Eldest Princess like me?"
Yes, why wouldn't she like him?
Zhan Shaoying's gaze, somehow, suddenly drifted to his fourth uncle.
Zhan Yue's figure was handsome, and after Jiashan spoke so bluntly, Zhan Yue's gaze also left Zhan Shaoying.
Zhan Yue lowered his head and looked at the Jinwu Guards who were kneeling on the ground explaining, his voice flat: "Do you remember how I instructed you at the beginning?"
The Jinwu Guard pursed his lips: "I remember."
Zhan Yue said solemnly, "Tell me."
The Jinwu Guard lowered his head and said obediently, "Daren said that no matter who comes, without your or the Princess's permission, no one is allowed to enter the temple and disturb the two highnesses' seclusion."
"It seems you remember," Zhan Yue's tone was indifferent.
The Jinwu Guard kneeling at his feet took a long breath.
"Fourth Uncle..." Seeing that Zhan Yue was about to punish this Jinwu Guard, Zhan Shaoying felt uneasy. He hesitated, just about to explain when Zhan Yue's eyes fell on him again.
Zhan Yue's gaze was as light as a feather, cold and indifferent. For a moment, Zhan Shaoying seemed to forget what he was going to say next.
Seeing this, Zhan Yue suddenly smiled at him, a warm and bright smile that made Zhan Shaoying feel uneasy.
Zhan Yue extended a finger and placed it on his lips, saying peacefully, "I didn't ask you, don't speak."
His voice was clear and sweet, like a young man's, but Zhan Shaoying heard a hint of killing intent.
Zhan Shaoying pursed his lips and looked at the casual clothes Zhan Yue was wearing.
On Zhan Yue's casual clothes was embroidered a pattern of a xiezhi (獬豸). The xiezhi looked like a qilin, with bright eyes and pitch-black pupils.
Just like his fourth uncle at this moment.
For a moment, Zhan Shaoying thought of his mother's fear of him, and of how the servants in the house would clam up when they mentioned Zhan Yue. He stared at Zhan Yue, and finally, he turned his head away and chose to remain silent.
Jiashan, who was right there, saw Zhan Shaoying's reaction. Seeing him shrink back from Zhan Yue, she couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, a chuckle that seemed full of irony.
The laughter was very soft, but the others heard it clearly.
Zhan Yue remained unmoved, his eyebrows and eyes did not even lift, as if he had not heard. Zhan Shaoying, however, turned pale, and he clenched his fingers slightly.
"Don't do it again." Zhan Yue ignored Zhan Shaoying and said to the Jinwu Guard, "Go receive ten strokes of the military staff. If there's a next time, don't come see me."
The Jinwu Guard had thought that he would definitely suffer for this, but he didn't expect that he could solve it with just ten strokes of the military staff. He breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "Yes!"
"Get up and send this young master Zhan back." Zhan Yue smiled, "There are as many as seventy-nine direct relatives of the Duke Anguo Gong in the capital. If every visitor says they are my relatives, are you going to let them all in?"
"If that really happens, who will guard Your Highness's safety?" Zhan Yue's tone suddenly deepened.
The Jinwu Guard quickly shook his head and said repeatedly, "This subordinate guarantees that it won't happen again!"
Zhan Yue lightly hummed. He dusted the dust off his robe, and it seemed as if he could no longer see Zhan Shaoying. His gaze went straight past him.
The Jinwu Guard, who had been kneeling for half a day, slowly stood up. He wiped his face and said to Zhan Shaoying with a wry smile, "Young Master Zhan, please don't make it difficult for this subordinate."
He spoke politely, but one hand slowly rested on the hilt of his sword. It seemed that if Zhan Shaoying made any untoward moves, he would immediately draw his sword from its sheath.
Zhan Shaoying's jade-white face turned more and more purple after the conversation and actions of the two. Reluctantly, he raised his eyes and glanced at Jiashan beside him.
Jiashan had an oval face, almond eyes, and peach cheeks, with a faint smile at the corners of her mouth. But her bright and stunning gaze never fell on him.
Zhan Shaoying's heart turned to ashes, he immediately looked away, bowed to Jiashan, and slowly retreated.
"Wait a minute."
As the two figures slowly left, Jiashan suddenly spoke.
Zhan Shaoying turned around hurriedly. He stood sideways facing her, his eyes filled with hope.
Zhan Yue's breath almost missed a beat. His gaze was indifferent, but the corner of his eye was fixed on Jiashan.
She... was she going to keep Zhan Shaoying? Thinking of the possibility of her future marriage to Zhan Shaoying, Zhan Yue's gaze suddenly turned cold.
Jiashan smiled at Zhan Yue, her gaze was frank, "Zhan Daren's discipline is strict. Originally, I shouldn't have interjected."
Zhan Yue was listening attentively, and after hearing Jiashan say this, he calmed down and slowly said, "What does Your Highness mean?"
"For my sake, Daren's punishment of this young gaurd, why not just let it go?" Jiashan said, "I see that he meant well, and he was also afraid of delaying Daren's family affairs. Of course, I understand that Daren's punishment of him is also appropriate."
"It's just that there are not many guards brought to Changchun Temple by Daren," Jiashan explained, "If there really were any villains coming, I am afraid that the injured people might not be able to handle it."
The Jinwu Guard hadn't expected the Eldest Princess to speak up for him, so he hurriedly said, "Your Highness's kindness, this subordinate is grateful, but since this subordinate has made a mistake, he deserves to be punished."
He turned to face Zhan Yue's direction and said, "Moreover, Daren has already shown mercy, and this subordinate is sincerely convinced."
His words made Jiashan pause for a moment. Jiashan glanced at Zhan Yue, as if she understood why he would have such a high reputation in the military in the future.
Jiashan smiled and said, "Daren is indeed strict in your discipline."
Zhan Yue looked at her and replied, "It's my duty."
"These days, being so well protected by Daren, Yuan Kang and I will certainly feel very at ease." Jiashan gave a slight bow to Zhan Yue, her smile was as bright and brilliant as the stars in the sky.
Zhan Shaoying, who was standing by, was almost lost in thought. It was only when the Jinwu Guard reminded him that he remembered to walk out.
The Eldest Princess...
The Eldest Princess is so beautiful.
Zhan Shaoying thought blankly, Would she still marry me?
Zhan Shaoying suddenly felt very powerless, as if some things he thought he could control were gradually becoming irrelevant to him.
He lowered his head and looked at the palm of his hand, which had several fingernail marks.
He only knew that he seemed to like the Eldest Princess very much.
Then, what about the Eldest Princess?
Zhan Shaoying didn't dare to think further. For some reason, his thoughts drifted back to Zhan Yue, who was as elegant as a blossoming plum blossom in the snow. The Eldest Princess seemed to treat his fourth uncle better than she treated him.
Zhan Shaoying's eyes darkened slightly, and the steps he took on the road were heavy, one step heavier than the last.
Is he not as good as his fourth uncle?
Thinking of Zhan Yue's dignified and elegant demeanor just now, Zhan Shaoying couldn't help but feel his eyes turn red.
Xiezhi (獬豸): A mythical creature in Chinese mythology often depicted as a kind of Chinese unicorn, known for its wisdom and ability to distinguish between right and wrong. It is often used as a symbol of justice and law.