Xue Zi Ning looked at Shen Yun Xuan, suddenly feeling rather inconsiderate. He had just arrived in the capital because of her, and had been injured.
Indirectly, he was injured because of her, yet she was about to make a request.
"Your Majesty..." Shen Yun Xuan called out again.
Xue Zi Ning coughed lightly and said, "I do have something to say, but it seems rather rude."
Shen Yun Xuan smiled and asked, "What is it? Your Majesty might as well say it."
Xue Zi Ning said softly, "Shen Yun Xiu saved me on the day of the Heavenly Sacrifice."
Shen Yun Xuan looked up at her, his eyes dark and bright, then he nodded. "This subject is already aware."
"He wishes for his aunt to be interred in the Shen family ancestral hall after her death."
Shen Yun Xuan was slightly stunned, and after a long moment, he asked, "Did Your Majesty agree?"
"No, I needed to ask you first," Xue Zi Ning replied.
"Shen Yun Xiu did not mention it, but his aunt has indeed been well-behaved these past few years. This subject does not object to her entering the ancestral hall. However, my mother may not agree. Nevertheless, Your Majesty need not be troubled. I will write a letter to my mother and father, and I believe they will agree," Shen Yun Xuan said.
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Thank you for your trouble, Third Young Master Shen."
"Your Majesty is too kind. This is merely my duty."
"Third Young Master Shen, please rest well. I have other matters to attend to and must take my leave."
Xue Zi Ning finished speaking and quickly departed.
Outside, Xue Jing Yun stood there. She walked over. "Yan Zhao, did I do the wrong thing?"
Xue Zi Ning was taken aback. Looking at him, his eyes were as brilliant as stars. "A Ning, to exchange the least for the most, that is worthwhile."
"But I feel I may have hurt Shen Yun Xuan's feelings. He came to the capital without reservation, and yet I..."
Xue Jing Yun took her hand and said, "A Ning, you are the monarch. There is no right or wrong in what you do, only gain and loss."
In a small courtyard, Shen Yun Xiu looked around to ensure no one was present, then he confidently pushed open the door, locked it, and walked inside.
The courtyard was not large. After a few steps, he reached the door of a room. He pushed it open and entered. The first thing that met his nostrils was the pungent smell of medicine.
He hurried into the inner chamber and saw the woman lying on the bed. He knelt by the bedside. "Auntie."
The woman on the bed slowly opened her eyes. Seeing him, she managed a smile. "Second Young Master is back? You must be hungry. This concubine will prepare something for you."
As she struggled to get up, Shen Yun Xiu quickly stepped forward to help her. "Auntie, please don't get out of bed. I'm not hungry."
The woman heard him and said, "Why aren't you hungry? You didn't eat when you left yesterday..."
"Auntie, I'm really not hungry," Shen Yun Xiu said.
Seeing that Shen Yun Xiu truly wasn't hungry, the woman sighed. "It is all this concubine's fault for burdening Second Young Master."
"Auntie, please don't say that. I will definitely ensure you return to the Shen family."
The woman was taken aback, then shook her head. "Master and Madam will not allow this concubine to return. Besides, if Second Young Master isn't here, what is the point of this concubine returning?"
"Auntie, I saved the Empress of Huangze, and she has promised to grant me a wish. I know your greatest wish is to one day be interred in the Shen family ancestral hall..."
The woman trembled all over. "Second Young Master, you... you are being foolish! How could you do something so dangerous for this concubine?"
"It wasn't dangerous, Auntie. I unintentionally saved Your Majesty. Your Majesty promised to reward me, but I don't want any reward. I only wish for Auntie to enter the Shen family ancestral hall one day," Shen Yun Xiu said slowly.
"Second Young Master, please don't. This concubine is merely a person on the verge of death. What does it matter if I enter the Shen family ancestral hall or not? You are different. You still have a long road ahead. Securing a minor official post would allow this concubine to rest in peace after she is gone!" The woman spoke too hastily and began to cough from her eagerness.
Shen Yun Xiu quickly poured a cup of tea from the table and handed it to the woman. "Auntie, I have already spoken to Your Majesty, and she has agreed."
The woman trembled all over, unable to believe it. "R... really?"
Shen Yun Xiu nodded. "Yes, Auntie, please rest assured!"
The woman looked at Shen Yun Xiu and asked, "Second Young Master, why must you do this?"
"I can never fully repay Auntie for the grace of giving me life. This is all I can do."
The woman smiled. "Second Young Master, thank you..."
Shen Yun Xiu felt that his aunt was tired and quickly said, "Auntie, please rest. I have other matters to attend to and need to go out."
The woman nodded. "Second Young Master, you may go!"
Shen Yun Xiu nodded, walked out of the courtyard, looked around, and then went to the room behind the courtyard, which was his own room.
He pushed open the door and walked in. To his surprise, someone was sitting there.
"Second Young Master Shen, have you been well!"
Shen Yun Xiu looked at the person before him and said coldly, "Why are you here in Huangze? Didn't I tell you I would notify you when there was news? Now that you are here, are you afraid Xue Zi Ning won't know you are here?"
The person chuckled softly. "What's the rush, Second Young Master Shen? They won't discover me."
Seeing him say this, Shen Yun Xiu looked at him and said coldly, "What are you here for?"
"Second Young Master Shen, don't forget our agreement."
"Your Highness the Seventh Prince, please rest assured, I will not forget our agreement," Shen Yun Xiu said coldly.
"I don't know whether to believe what Second Young Master Shen says. Wasn't your ally Nangong Yue beheaded before Xue Zi Ning by you? I would not want to meet the same fate as Nangong Yue."
Shen Yun Xiu heard this and said coldly, "Your Highness the Seventh Prince can rest assured. You cannot do anything to me. You are the esteemed Seventh Prince of Hanguo. Are you afraid of someone like me who has neither status nor identity?"
"That's not quite right. There's a saying that the barefoot are not afraid of those who wear shoes. Second Young Master Shen has very few weaknesses. This prince must keep a close eye on them."
Shen Yun Xiu's gaze turned grim, and he said coldly, "Your Highness the Seventh Prince, it would be best not to set your sights on my aunt. Otherwise, I will make you regret it."
"Second Young Master Shen, please don't be angry. This prince will not only not harm your aunt, but will also properly treat her."
Shen Yun Xiu heard this and said, "Medicine is of no avail."
"Incorrect. Miao Jiang secret arts can help," Han Xi Chen said, word by word.
Shen Yun Xiu's gaze turned completely cold, his tone exceptionally icy. "Your Highness the Seventh Prince, knowing too much is not good."
Han Xi Chen chuckled softly. "Even if you obtained the Miao Jiang secret arts, they would be useless because you don't know how to use them. But it's different for this prince. This prince knows how to use them."
"I don't need them," Shen Yun Xiu refused coldly.
"Second Young Master Shen, don't refuse so quickly. One day, you will remember these words of this prince."
"Your Highness the Seventh Prince, please!" Shen Yun Xiu was seeing him out.
Han Xi Chen did not linger. He stood up and walked to Shen Yun Xiu's side. "Second Young Master Shen, just don't forget what this prince has said."