Chapter Fifty-Nine: After the Wine

Early the next morning, Shen Hezhi awoke in a haze. Rubbing his head, he slowly sat up in bed, only to realize that this was not his own chamber. After a moment, clarity returned—he was in his room at the Hua Residence.

Shen Hezhi shook his head, slipped on his shoes, and prepared to leave, just as Jiang Canxing pushed the door open. Seeing Shen Hezhi about to depart, Jiang Canxing hurriedly set the basin he was holding aside and blocked his path.

“In your current state, are you thinking of returning to the prince’s manor?” Jiang Canxing asked.

Shen Hezhi nodded, “I feel as though I’ve forgotten something…”

As he spoke, he kept massaging his temples. Never one with much tolerance for alcohol, the excess of last night had left his mind sluggish and clouded.

Jiang Canxing watched him for a moment, unable to hold back any longer. “So you know you’ve forgotten something, do you remember what happened yesterday? Do you recall what you promised Cen Changxiao?”

Jiang Canxing’s words made Shen Hezhi frown unconsciously. He strained to recall the events of the previous day, though the effort made his head ache. Gradually, the memories returned.

“I… am to marry Cen Changjing as a concubine…” Shen Hezhi said, falling silent after uttering the words.

“So you do remember the decision you made. Now that you’re sober, do you regret it?” Jiang Canxing pressed, puffing with indignation as he went to fetch a washcloth, handing it to Shen Hezhi.

Shen Hezhi took the cloth, wiped his face, and shook his head. “I don’t regret the decision. I just didn’t expect Changxiao would…”

He stopped mid-sentence. “None of this matters now. Since I’ve agreed to take her as a concubine, so be it. There are still a host of vexing affairs in the prince’s manor to deal with. I’ll head back for now and return later.”

“Hey! Wait!” Jiang Canxing hurriedly dropped the cloth Shen Hezhi handed back, reaching out to stop him. “Besides this, do you remember what you said after drinking too much last night?”

“What else?” Shen Hezhi looked at Jiang Canxing, puzzled.

Jiang Canxing blinked and grinned mischievously. “So you really don’t remember. Last night, you kept saying you were fond of your newly married young princess. Both Shen Yi and I were shocked.”

“I said that?” Shen Hezhi pointed to himself.

Jiang Canxing nodded, continuing, “Of course you did. Who else would say such things? You kept declaring your affection for your young princess as you drank—looked for all the world like a man wounded by love.

My lord, tell me honestly—did you come here to drink not because of marrying a concubine, but because you quarreled with your young princess?”

Jiang Canxing’s gossiping demeanor made Shen Hezhi purse his lips in resignation. He shoved Jiang Canxing aside and left without offering any explanation.

Jiang Canxing chased after him, refusing to let up. “My lord, don’t run away out of embarrassment! Can’t you just tell me?”

Though Shen Hezhi heard him, he ignored the calls and strode away, growing more distant with each step. Once Shen Hezhi was out of sight, Jiang Canxing could only sigh and return to the Hua Residence, yet upon entering, a slight smile curled his lips.

The prince has found someone he cares for now. Once that thought has taken root in his heart, it cannot stay hidden forever. Sooner or later, he will admit it willingly.

Shen Hezhi was unaware of the strange notions swirling in Jiang Canxing’s mind. On his way back to the prince’s manor, he kept pondering Jiang Canxing’s words.

Did he really declare his fondness for Yan Heru after drinking last night? How could that be—she was… she was…

At this thought, Shen Hezhi fell silent. Perhaps… he truly did feel something for that woman.

How could that be possible?

He refused to believe he could develop feelings for her in such a short time.

No, surely Jiang Canxing was mistaken. At most, he was grateful for her saving his life—how could it be affection?

Shen Hezhi walked, head bowed in contemplation, oblivious to the curious gazes he drew from passersby.

Perhaps he had been too busy lately, causing him to forget his reputation as one of the most striking figures in the capital.

“Wow… Why isn’t the Ninth Prince in a carriage today?”

“Are you unhappy to see him in person?”

“How could I be unhappy? I wish I could see the prince every day! Ah, he’s so handsome!”

Wherever Shen Hezhi went, cries of admiration from young women followed.

But he remained unaware, oblivious to the stir he caused, making his way back to the prince’s manor.

Shen Yi greeted him upon arrival. “My lord, you’re finally back.”

“Is there something important?” Noticing Shen Yi’s furrowed brow, Shen Hezhi assumed something must have happened during his absence.

But Shen Yi paused, seeing Shen Hezhi so tense. “Uh… Actually, nothing urgent. It’s just… Miss Cen is causing a bit of trouble.”

“Leave her be. Where is the princess?”

The moment he heard Cen Changjing’s name, Shen Hezhi relaxed visibly.

“The princess left the manor early this morning, without anyone accompanying her,” Shen Yi replied.

“Not even Mo Yi?”

“That’s right.”

Shen Hezhi turned his eyes, spun around, and departed the manor, pausing only to instruct Shen Yi, “Keep watch over the manor. If anything happens, go straight to Jiang Canxing. I have something to attend to, I’ll be away for a while.”

“Yes.” Shen Yi complied, watching Shen Hezhi’s departing figure with a resigned shake of his head.

Since Yan Heru arrived, Shen Hezhi’s behavior had grown increasingly strange. Shen Yi felt his master was no longer quite the same as before.

Shen Hezhi left the manor and wandered aimlessly through the streets, not knowing why he’d come out—only that his heart felt unsettled.

And… he was curious why Yan Heru had departed the manor so early.

He had said he wouldn’t restrict her movements, but her early morning departure still felt a little wild.

In truth, Shen Hezhi simply didn’t want to admit it—he was worried about Yan Heru. Not knowing where she’d gone made him uneasy, so he decided to go out and try his luck, hoping to run into her by chance.

“Ninth Brother, out alone?”

The sudden voice made Shen Hezhi halt in his tracks.