By the time Shang Jun carried Yao Yao back to the west wing, the entire household was in an uproar.
Servants ran through corridors, whispering in hushed tones. Lily's panicked voice could be heard from down the hall, sharp with distress. Nanny Fang's footsteps stomped across the floorboards in frustration.
When Shang Jun stepped into the chamber, carrying a very much alive and unharmed Yao Yao in his arms, the room fell into silence.
Lily froze.
Her wide eyes flickered for a split second, her hands gripping the front of her skirt as if to steady herself. The relief on her face was immediate, but beneath it, something else surfaced—something she quickly masked.
A faint fleeting blush crept across her cheeks before she quickly stepped forward, reaching for Yao Yao.
"Young Miss!" she nearly cried, her voice tight with emotion.
Yao Yao blinked.
…Something's off.
Wait.
Did Lily just—?
Before she could narrow her eyes suspiciously, Lily was already checking her over, hands trembling slightly as she brushed over Yao Yao's arms, her shoulders, making sure she wasn't injured.
"Are you hurt?" Lily asked, her voice softer now, but her grip wasn't as steady as usual.
Yao Yao stared at her, squinting slightly.
What's with this reaction?
Wait. WAIT.
Lily was blushing?
Her pink eyes darted to Shang Jun, who had stepped back slightly, his usual calm expression unwavering.
Oh.
OH.
INTERESTING.
A slow, knowing smirk started to creep up on Yao Yao's face.
Lily, sensing it, gently flicked Yao Yao's forehead, hard enough to break her thoughts.
"Ow!" Yao Yao clutched her head, "Lily! I am a patient! You can't just hit an injured person—"
"You are not injured."
Yao Yao puffed out her cheeks in betrayal.
But before she could say more, another presence loomed.
Nanny Fang.
The older woman exhaled sharply, as if releasing a weight from her chest. Her sharp eyes locked onto Yao Yao.
"You should not have wandered off."
"I wasn't wandering off," Yao Yao mumbled, rubbing her forehead where Lily had flicked her. "I was—"
"Enough."
Yao Yao pressed her lips together.
And then—there was Xiu Lin.
The towering maid stood stiffly by the side, arms crossed, her presence as intimidating as ever. Her expression remained unreadable, but Shang Jun caught the subtle shift in her eyes.
A sense of relief.
Yao Yao however, instinctively leaned backward, pressing deeper into Shang Jun's hold. He felt a slight tremble in her frame, although she didn't say a word, but her body spoke volumes.
Shang Jun's gaze flickered toward Xiu Lin, taking in her unwavering stance, then shifted back to the child in his arms.
And in that instant, he understood.
So that's the problem. That's why she had been lingering outside, hesitating to return.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then, his grip around Yao Yao tightened briefly, giving her a silent reassurance.
He lowered Yao Yao gently to the floor before stepping toward Xiu Lin with a smirk.
"Xiu Lin."
The maid tilted her head slightly, eyes sharp but unreadable. "Young Master."
Shang Jun clicked his tongue. "It's been a while."
His gaze swept over her form briefly. Then, as if he were simply making an observation, he added, "You look stronger."
Xiu Lin didn't react immediately, but there was a slight shift in her stance and a sense of familiarity in her gaze.
"Training," she said simply.
Shang Jun hummed in approval, crossing his arms. "Impressive. You're putting the knights to shame."
Yao Yao's jaw dropped.
DID HE JUST—?!
Xiu Lin, who normally would have brushed off such comments, narrowed her eyes slightly. "They lack discipline."
"Or your dedication," Shang Jun remarked. "I remember back then, you never missed a single morning drill. Even when it rained."
Yao Yao whipped her head back and forth between them.
Wait… wait…
They KNEW each other?!
Xiu Lin, to Yao Yao's absolute shock, let out a low scoff. "Training doesn't stop just because of weather."
Shang Jun's smirk widened. "That's exactly what you used to tell me."
Xiu Lin exhaled, shaking her head. "Still an insufferable talker, I see."
"And you're still terrifying, so I'd say we haven't changed much."
Yao Yao struggled to process what she was hearing.
Shang Jun LIKES talking to her?!
HE FINDS THIS FUN?!
Shang Jun, sensing Yao Yao's growing disbelief, glanced down at her and said, "You know, Yao Yao, Xiu Lin isn't as scary as she looks."
Yao Yao blinked rapidly.
Huh?
Shang Jun winked, a teasing glint in his eye as he looked back at Xiu Lin. "If you look closer, she's actually really nice."
Yao Yao's soul left her body.
Shang Jun let out a soft chuckle, stepping back with ease. "Xiu Lin used to train with me when I was younger. She was one of the few people who didn't hold back."
Yao Yao gasped.
"SHE FOUGHT YOU?!"
Xiu Lin, finally turning to Yao Yao, raised a brow. "And won."
WHAT KIND OF MONSTER IS THIS WOMAN?!
Shang Jun snickered. "She's one of the best fighters in the estate, Yao Yao. You're lucky to have her as your caretaker."
Yao Yao glanced at Xiu Lin. Then back at Shang Jun. Then back at Xiu Lin.
"…I suddenly feel unsafe."
Shang Jun laughed. "That just means she's doing her job well."
Xiu Lin smirked slightly, crossing her arms. "At least someone understands."
Yao Yao internally screamed.
This is the ultimate betrayal.
Her newly worshiped big brother, her golden hope, her hero—was FRIENDS with the very person she was trying to escape from?!
....
.....
Later that night, Yao Yao lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, arms sprawled out dramatically.
"I almost got away," she mumbled.
Lily, sitting beside the bed, sighed. "Young Miss, please don't scare us like that again."
"I had no choice," Yao Yao groaned, turning to the side. "I was fighting for my life!"
Lily gave her a look. "By sitting on a fountain?"
Yao Yao pursed her lips. "…It was relaxing.."
Lily sighed again.
"Can't believe they're actually friends," Yao Yao thought to herself.
Maybe Xiu Lin isn't that scary after all…
And then she remembered the sheer strength in those arms, the past few days of relentless training, and the absolute lack of mercy in Xiu Lin's gaze..
Okay, I take back my words.
Yao Yao shifted under the blankets, rolling onto her side. Her small fingers unconsciously wrapped around the cool metal of the necklace resting against her collarbone.
Her first real gift in this world.
A tiny smile appeared on her lips as she nestled deeper under the blankets, warmth settling in her chest.
Inside, her thoughts wandered.
…If I sell this, I'll be rich.