Chapter Ninety-Three: The Prince Has Returned

“That was your promise. Since that is so, if I ever get the chance, I will come to the army camp to see you. You must not find me troublesome.” Yan Heru cooed in Shen Hezhi’s arms.

Shen Hezhi nodded. “I care for my wife so much that I never get enough of it. How could I possibly think her troublesome? Once this war is over and I have settled the rest of my affairs, I will certainly accompany my wife to retreat to the mountains and forests, and we shall live there as a pair of blissful immortals.”

“Good! It’s a promise, and you are absolutely not allowed to lie. If you do, I’ll knock you out and carry you straight into the mountains!” Yan Heru waved her tiny, utterly harmless fist at him in mock threat.

“All right, it’s a promise.” Shen Hezhi laughed helplessly and took her fist in his hand.

Only after spending more time with Yan Heru did he realize that she was not the cold, distant person he had first imagined. On the contrary, she was immensely interesting. He only did not know what had happened to make her keep herself so tightly guarded.

“By the way, I took in a new maid today, and I think she is highly suspicious. To keep her from doing anything that might ruin your plans, I put her by my side...” Yan Heru told Shen Hezhi about taking in Anuo. After listening, he frowned with concern.

“If what you say is true, then this woman is certainly no weakling. Mo Yi’s martial arts may not be especially outstanding, but that is only when compared with everyone else. Among women, his skill is definitely among the best, perhaps even top-tier.

Yet you just said that the woman who came begging was able to seize Mo Yi so easily and leave him unable to break free. That can only mean her martial arts are far superior to his.”

At this, Shen Hezhi looked at Yan Heru anxiously and continued, “I think keeping someone like that at your side is very dangerous. You should find an opportunity to send her away.”

“But I feel she must have some ulterior motive. What if she is here to sabotage your affairs? What then?” Yan Heru grew worried after hearing his analysis.

“If she truly came here intending to ruin my plans, then let her come after me directly. I am not at ease with you keeping such a person by your side,” Shen Hezhi replied.

Yan Heru frowned and did not agree with him, but she also felt that keeping such a dangerous person close was indeed rather risky. So how was she supposed to solve the predicament before her?

Seeing that Yan Heru was thinking very seriously, Shen Hezhi did not interrupt her. After a while, she suddenly looked up at him in delight.

“I know! If I learn martial arts, then I won’t need to worry about this problem. As long as I’m stronger than that woman, she won’t pose any threat to me at all!”

Shen Hezhi was stunned for a moment after hearing this. “You want to learn martial arts? It is not impossible, but martial arts are not something you can master overnight. It will not be so easy to learn.”

“But I’ll work hard,” Yan Heru said with a grin.

Shen Hezhi affectionately stroked her hair. “You may train in martial arts, but that does not mean you should keep an uncertain danger at your side.”

“But I still think it would be safer to keep her close. Just trust me once. I do not ask for much. Please agree to this, all right?” Yan Heru began to coax him.

How could Shen Hezhi possibly resist her pleading? Even so, he was still deeply worried about that woman.

“I can agree to let her remain by your side, but in return you must promise me that Shen Yi will stay with you as well.” Shen Hezhi suddenly grew solemn. He believed that by saying this, he was showing proper concern for his wife.

Yan Heru stuck out her tongue playfully and nodded. “All right, but if anything truly important comes up, you still need to let Shen Yi leave with you.”

Shen Hezhi nodded. He knew this was already his wife’s final concession. If he refused, the two of them would surely quarrel over the matter, so he might as well agree.

After all, this was the best solution for now. Otherwise, no matter what, both of them would be worried about each other.

“Very well. Then rest for a while. I still have some herbs to pack up. Once I am done, I will come keep you company. Would you stay for dinner tonight?” Yan Heru blinked at him with her bright, adorable eyes.

At first Shen Hezhi had intended to refuse, but seeing how lovely she looked, how could he bear to say no?

After a moment’s thought, he remembered that although the army was somewhat busy at present, there was nothing that absolutely required his presence. So he nodded and agreed to his wife’s request.

“Since my wife wants me to stay, then of course I will remain here and keep her company at dinner. Go on and busy yourself first. I happen to want to take a look at the maid my wife accepted today.”

“All right.” Yan Heru happily went to organize her medicinal materials.

The moment Yan Heru turned away, Shen Hezhi’s expression changed at once.

So there really was a scheme behind this.

Since my wife has taken you in, I have no choice but to consider her safety. Then let me meet you properly and see just what you are plotting, and what you intend to do.

Shen Hezhi left the bedchamber and went into the courtyard. At the turn in the path, he happened to see Mo Yi with the maid his wife had just taken in.

When Mo Yi saw Shen Hezhi, he immediately saluted. “Your Highness.”

Shen Hezhi gave a faint hum and looked toward the maid. “Is this the new maid?”

Mo Yi nodded. “Yes. She was taken in by the princess consort today. The princess consort said her background is too pitiful, so she kept her close.”

As soon as Mo Yi finished speaking, Anuo immediately cut in. “Your Highness may rest assured. Anuo will certainly follow the princess consort properly. Whatever the princess consort asks Anuo to do, Anuo will do. I would never disobey the princess consort’s wishes.”

Shen Hezhi nodded. “However, if you wish to stay by the princess consort’s side, doing only this is not enough. Because of me, the princess consort often encounters danger, so you must be prepared to protect her even at the cost of your own life.

If you do not possess that resolve, then I advise you to leave as soon as possible. I will give you a sum of silver so that you will have food and clothing for the rest of your days.”

Where Shen Hezhi could not see it, Anuo lowered her head and blinked, her eyes full of calculating intent.