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The guard said, "Princess, I’m afraid he might harm you."

Ye Anyu glanced at Xiao Jinyan, then commanded the guard, "It’s just a misunderstanding between that gentleman and me. All of you withdraw."

The guards looked at each other before sheathing their swords. "Yes, Your Highness," they said in unison, then stepped behind the Princess.

Xiao Jinyan had only suspected until now, but he had confirmed that the woman before him was Ye Anyu, who had changed quite a bit since they were children.

Getting entangled with her wasn’t a good prospect.

"If it’s a misunderstanding, let us part ways here."

After saying this, Xiao Jinyan turned and walked away.

How could Ye Anyu let him go so easily after having such a hard time finding him?

She chased after him. "Sir, sir, please wait."

Xiao Jinyan frowned and turned back to Ye Anyu. "Princess, is there something else you need?"

Ye Anyu responded, "Meeting is fate. Now that you know I’m a princess, being friends would be nice, wouldn’t it? I didn’t intend to hide it from you."

"I’m not interested in making friends at the moment. Thank you for your favor, Princess, but I have matters to attend to and must leave," said Xiao Jinyan without waiting for Ye Anyu’s response, and he walked away without looking back.

Ye Anyu wanted to say more, but seeing that he didn’t look back as he left, she bit her teeth in anger. What was his relationship with that imposter?

But it didn’t matter. Feng Wuyou was fake. To dare impersonate Feng Wuyou was a crime punishable by death.

Ye Anyu’s previously gloomy spirits lifted somewhat.

She had to return to the palace and inform the Crown Prince brother at once so he needn’t curry favor with the imposter anymore.

Ye Anyu withdrew her gaze and left with her people for the palace.

Shen Chuwei stood by the horse carriage, waiting left and right without seeing Xiao Jinyan, growing anxious.

Could something have happened to him?

The previously angry Shen Chuwei was no longer concerned about being angry; her mind overflowed with worry for Xiao Jinyan.

Lifting her skirt, she hurried toward the direction of the inn.

She had not taken two steps when her wrist was grasped; she turned sharply to see Xiao Jinyan standing behind her, and she exhaled in relief.

Xiao Jinyan asked, "Where were you planning to go?"

Shen Chuwei answered, "I was searching for you. Why are you only coming now? Who’s tracking us?"

Xiao Jinyan said, "The tracker is the princess of Nanzhao Country."

"Her? She definitely harbors no good intentions." Shen Chuwei still remembered her being constantly troubled at the start of her time in the palace.

Xiao Jinyan meant to advise Xuetuan, but the fact that Shen Chuwei already regarded Ye Anyu unfavorably made him nod in agreement.

"That’s what I think as well. It’s better to have less contact with her."

"I don’t like her, so naturally, I prefer not to be in contact. Why would I seek my own displeasure?" Shen Chuwei, holding on to Xiao Jinyan’s hand, walked toward the horse carriage. "Let’s enter the palace first."

Xiao Jinyan let her hold his hand, thinking how she had earlier refused to allow it, and now she had herself taken the initiative. The corners of his mouth lifted into a shallow curve.

"Okay."

Once aboard the horse carriage, Shen Chuwei suddenly smelled a fragrance. She turned her head and saw the boss skillfully take pastries out of the oven with a shovel.

Having seen them, it didn’t seem right not to buy any.

Xiao Jinyan saw her standing still in the carriage, looked up, and saw her beautiful eyes fixed on the pastry shop, particularly the freshly baked pastries.

"Do you want some?" he asked.

Shen Chuwei raised her chin, "It’s Xuetuan who wants some."

Xiao Jinyan understood that she was using the same tactic as before—when she wanted to eat something, she attributed the desire to Xuetuan or Sesame, and sometimes to others.

"Alright, I’ll buy some."

Xiao Jinyan stepped toward the shop and, considering the appetite of Xuetuan, he straightaway bought twenty.

Shen Chuwei ran over, worried that Xiao Jinyan might buy them all, as Xuetuan, and she too, could eat quite a bit.

When she saw the paper bags in his hand, she smiled.

Xiao Jinyan raised the paper bags, "Twenty pieces, is that enough?"

Shen Chuwei nodded vigorously, "That’s more than enough. I can eat five."

Xiao Jinyan stepped forward, "Let’s go, then."

Once both were inside the carriage, the Eunuch drove the horse carriage back to the Imperial Palace.

The interior of the carriage was spacious. Once Xiao Jinyan was seated, he opened one of the paper bags and held it out to her, "Have a piece now."

Drawn by the scent, Shen Chuwei couldn’t resist trying one. She took a piece without fuss, bit into it with joy, and held her other hand underneath to catch crumbs. The pastry’s crust was crispy, the inside filled with sesame paste—it tasted good.