Chapter Eleven: The Enigmatic Ninth Prince

When Yan Huo Ru saw Yan Huo Qi give a bashful smile to Shen He Ye, she let out a contemptuous laugh in her heart.

“Why call him Ninth Prince? That’s too distant. Naturally, we should call him brother-in-law now, isn’t that right, Sister Ru?” Yan Huo Miao glanced at Yan Huo Ru with a threatening look, her meaning obvious.

If you dare to answer otherwise, you’ll see what happens!

Yan Huo Ru paid no mind to Yan Huo Miao’s threat and responded calmly, “Miao’er is still young and it’s normal for her not to understand. She should address him as Ninth Prince, not brother-in-law. The imperial family is not like ordinary households, Miao’er. You must be mindful.”

Yan Huo Miao’s face turned pale. She hadn’t expected Yan Huo Ru to ignore her words. “You… you…”

Shen He Ye said, “Master Yan, it seems… your daughter is not fond of addressing me as ‘Prince’ after all.”

Master Yan wiped imaginary sweat from his brow, forcing a smile. “Not at all, not at all! Miao’er, don’t be rude! Apologize to the prince at once!”

“Me?! …I’m sorry…” Though unwilling, Yan Huo Miao apologized under her father’s stern gaze, then ran off.

“Miao’er! That child!” Master Yan called out, but Yan Huo Miao didn’t look back.

Yan Huo Qi stood obediently to the side, making a sharp contrast to Yan Huo Miao.

“Please don’t take offense, Your Highness. My youngest daughter has been spoiled by me. I beg your forgiveness,” Master Yan said, forcing another smile.

Shen He Zhi looked at Master Yan with a cheerful expression. “Of course. While Miss Yan’s form of address wasn’t exactly wrong, if others were to overhear, it could reflect poorly on your own prospects, Father-in-law.”

At the mention of his career being at risk, Master Yan’s expression turned grave. Shen He Zhi smiled to himself but did not press the issue.

“Father, Mother, I may not be able to stay long today. After lunch with His Highness, I will return,” Yan Huo Ru stood and spoke softly on purpose.

Shen He Zhi glanced sideways at Yan Huo Ru and immediately understood her intent. “Yes, and there is one more matter—Ninth Young Master Yan’s assistance is needed at the prince’s residence.”

“Isn’t your residence all burned down? What help could you possibly need?” Madam Lin interjected abruptly.

Master Yan, hearing her words, immediately scolded, “How can you speak to His Highness like that? Go back to your room at once!”

Madam Lin stared wide-eyed at Master Yan in disbelief, unable to understand why he had suddenly rebuked her.

Seeing this, Shen He Zhi quickly said, “Father-in-law, the fault is mine, not Mother-in-law’s. The prince’s residence was indeed burned, and I ask Young Master Yan’s help to protect the princess. I hope you will agree.”

Shen He Zhi’s attitude was exceedingly humble, a far cry from what Yan Huo Ru had seen at the prince’s manor. Though his words seemed harsh, there was no real edge to them; he seemed like someone one could easily manipulate.

Recalling the rumors about Shen He Zhi in the capital, Yan Huo Ru was instantly enlightened.

This Shen He Zhi must be playing the fool while hiding his true strength.

But as the Ninth Prince, why go to such lengths?

“Since Your Highness puts it this way, naturally I won’t refuse. If you are busy, you may return early. There’s no need to stand on ceremony—these formalities are for commoners,” Master Yan said.

His words pulled Yan Huo Ru out of her thoughts, making her frown. Master Yan’s attitude toward Shen He Zhi was growing increasingly assertive.

From the moment they arrived, he had tested the waters with utmost deference, but now he spoke to Shen He Zhi as if addressing an ordinary son-in-law, with no trace of respect left.

“Very well, thank you, Father-in-law.” Shen He Zhi stood and gave Master Yan a bow.

Such a gesture would be unremarkable from a commoner, but Shen He Zhi was the Ninth Prince; to Master Yan, he was as a sovereign. How could a sovereign bow to his subject?

Yan Huo Ru suddenly found herself unable to read Shen He Zhi. This was no longer just pretending to be weak…

Everything he had done today would, in less than half a day, be known throughout the Yan household. None of it would benefit him in the least.

“Safe journey, Your Highness.” Master Yan made no effort to hide his desire for them to leave.

Shen He Zhi took Yan Huo Ru with him out of the main hall, heading toward her former quarters. Along the way, Yan Huo Ru pulled her hand free from his grasp.

The instant her hand slipped away, Shen He Zhi’s smile vanished. Standing beside him, Yan Huo Ru could keenly sense his displeasure.

This left Yan Huo Ru puzzled: How could his mood swing so quickly? He was like a volcano on the verge of eruption… Could this be a side effect of the cold poison?

“Where does your brother live?” Shen He Zhi suddenly asked.

“Ah?” Yan Huo Ru was taken aback.

“Where does your brother live?” Shen He Zhi repeated patiently, “Didn’t you want to take him away from here?”

Yan Huo Ru stopped and looked at him. “Your Highness… did you bring it up to my father just so you could help me take Cheng’er away?”

“Mm.” Shen He Zhi looked at her expressionlessly.

Yan Huo Ru pressed her lips together. “This way.”

She led Shen He Zhi to Yan Huo Cheng’s quarters. There wasn’t a single servant in the courtyard. Like her, she and her brother were outsiders in the Yan family.

“This is it?” Shen He Zhi frowned at the dilapidated yard.

Yan Huo Ru thought he was being critical and quickly explained, “Your Highness, please don’t mind it. This is already much better than before. If I hadn’t married Your Highness, Cheng’er would be living somewhere even worse.”

Shen He Zhi fell silent. Yan Huo Ru spotted Yan Huo Cheng and lost interest in Shen He Zhi, heading straight for her brother, who was splitting firewood in the yard.

Sensing someone approach, Yan Huo Cheng looked up to find it was his sister! Delighted, he dropped the axe and ran to Yan Huo Ru, throwing himself into her arms.

“Sister! You’re back!” Yan Huo Cheng’s voice brought a trace of warmth to Yan Huo Ru’s heart.

She stroked his head and smiled. “Sister’s taking you to the Ninth Prince’s residence. How about it?”

“To the Ninth Prince’s residence?! Sister! Did the Ninth Prince bully you? Don’t be scared! I’ll go teach him a lesson! He… mmph—” Yan Huo Ru hurriedly covered his mouth.

Awkwardly, Yan Huo Ru turned to glance at Shen He Zhi. Only then did Yan Huo Cheng realize that the very person he meant to “teach a lesson” had come along too.

But Yan Huo Cheng showed no fear at Shen He Zhi’s presence. He broke free of Yan Huo Ru’s grip, marched up to Shen He Zhi, and declared angrily, “Did you bully my sister? Is that why she came home? Did you chase after her to drag her back?”

Yan Huo Ru covered her eyes, unable to watch. At the same time, she marveled at Yan Huo Cheng’s imagination, conjuring up a whole story of her being bullied…