Chapter 100: Tenderness

His heart softened, he couldn't utter any reproach, only let out a slow sigh, helplessly saying, "How did it come to this?" His tone softened a bit.

With such pitch‑black night and no one nearby, if he encountered jackals, wolves, tigers or leopards, he wouldn't know where to find the bodies.

Xiao Jingyuan placed the torch to one side to light the area, then squatted before her and saw blood on her clothes, his brows knitting.

He looked up and saw she was still crying.

It was strange—the girl was clearly crying silently, yet her tears seemed endless.

Upon reflection, it seemed that the few times she had cried in front of him before, she had been just as quiet—making no sound, so unless one looked, it would go unnoticed.

He then raised his hand to wipe her tears, only to find her tears scorching hot, as if they could burn straight to the heart.

For some reason, Xiao Jingyuan felt his heart clutched tight, almost unable to breathe.

He frowned deeply, using a tenderness he had never shown before, almost coaxing her as he said softly, "Stop crying—I'm here, aren't I?"

Shen Shuangning was truly terrified; seeing him, she instinctively lowered her guard and couldn't help but cry. It was also the first time she had seen him so gentle toward her, as if she were frightened, and she hiccuped while crying.

Thus the atmosphere turned awkward for no reason.

It was Shen Shuangning who felt embarrassed, even a bit ashamed.

Fortunately, her tears finally stopped.

Shen Shuangning sniffled, still saying nothing.

Xiao Jingyuan gently turned her face with his hand. Using the firelight to look closely, he saw abrasions—some on her neck as well—but they were not serious.

"Did you fall?" he asked.

Shen Shuangning replied, "Sort of."

Some came from rolling down that steep slope, others from stumbling in the dark when she couldn't see the path; fortunately she hadn't stepped into any traps.

Immediately she recalled the two guards who had died protecting her, her eyes welling up again; she looked at Xiao Jingyuan with reddened eyes and said, "The people who protected me were killed—please bring them back as well."

Xiao Jingyuan's expression turned grave: "What happened?"

By now, there was no point in hiding it.

Shen Shuangning briefly explained what had happened.

"... That's how it is. Xie Yan didn't have time to find me, so I barely escaped, but he must have recognized me—I ran into him meeting the men in black, and he won't let me go."

Xiao Jingyuan also recalled Pei Zhi's recent warning—beware of Xie Yan.

It seems this Junior Tutor Pei knows quite a bit.

After listening quietly, he lifted his eyes and saw her flustered, helpless look; a surge of killing intent rose in his depths, yet his voice remained calm and steady: "Since I now know, I won't give him a chance to hurt you. Did you see who that person was when he met the men in black?"

Shen Shuangning shook her head and added, "But he seems familiar, as if I've seen him somewhere before."

Surely Xie Yan feared she would recognize him, so he wanted to silence her.

She had a guess, but dared not be certain.

Xiao Jingyuan remained silent for a long while, as if pondering something.

To Shen Shuangning, Xiao Jingyuan's reaction seemed overly calm; she couldn't help asking, "Why aren't you surprised at all? Did you already know he was problematic?"

Xiao Jingyuan replied, "No, I only just found out."

In fact, he had long suspected Xie Yan of foul play, merely not knowing where the problem lay.

When they previously searched Drunken Cloud Pavilion, the profit‑sharing agreement even bore Xie Yan's name; although during interrogation he claimed he had been deceived and was just trying to earn extra cash, knowing nothing of the gambling house's dealings.

The interrogator at the time was Su Chen, while Xiao Jingyuan hid in the shadows observing their expressions.

The interviewees were either angry and defensive, fearful and shrinking, or panicked and flustered—only Xie Yan remained unnervingly calm—

As if he had long expected to be summoned by the Imperial Secretariat and was confident they lacked evidence to touch him. That composure resembled his usual demeanor, but in that situation it felt strikingly out of place.

Although he had harbored some doubts since then, he never obtained solid proof. Moreover, Xie Yan was close to Xie Lin, and because of that connection Xiao Jingyuan ultimately let his guard down and did not investigate further.

Today's disaster was utterly unforeseen; he had no idea it would involve Xie Yan.

He merely kept his feelings hidden; even if he now wanted to kill Xie Yan, his face would show no obvious ripple, so to Shen Shuangning he seemed unsurprised.

"Since you know, what are you planning to do?" Shen Shuangning asked.

She knew how impartial and stern Xiao Jingyuan was.

Although she didn't now know whether anyone else in the Yongning Marquis Manor besides Xie Yan was colluding with rebels, she believed Xie Lin was certainly innocent.

Even if the Eldest Young Master Xie had truly made a grave mistake, she did not want Xie Lin to be dragged into it as well.

Xiao Jingyuan saw her worry and knew who she was concerned about; he pursed his thin lips and said, "In your eyes, am I really that heartless?"

Shen Shuangning, caught guessing her thoughts, feared displeasing him and whispered, "... I didn't think that."

If she hadn't explained, it would have been fine; but once she did, Xiao Jingyuan could see she was indeed lying.

Although she felt a little uneasy, now was not the time to quibble over such trivial matters.

"Let's leave this place first. Where else are you hurt? Can you walk?" Xiao Jingyuan said.

"Nothing serious, just some superficial wounds."

Having squatted for a long time, her legs had gone numb and wouldn't obey; she was about to prop herself against the wall to stand when Xiao Jingyuan's hand reached out first.

The motion was utterly natural, which made Shen Shuangning feel a bit uneasy, yet she did not refuse his kindness.

When her fingertips touched the firm forearm beneath his sleeve, they actually felt warm.

Their shadows were cast upon the wall.

Having lived two lives, she had never been so embarrassed before him.

After steadying herself, Shen Shuangning withdrew her hand, thanked him, then bent down to lightly pound her numb legs.

"Is it only the Crown Prince who came?" she asked without lifting her head.

"Many people came. This forest is too vast, so they split up to search."

Xiao Jingyuan lowered his gaze to her; she wore riding attire, the fabric at her waist and wrists drawn tight, accentuating her already slender figure like a willow branch bent slightly by the spring breeze.

Shen Shuangning hadn't noticed him looking at her; hearing his words she said "Oh," then remembered to ask how Xie Lin and the foreign princess were faring.

Xie Lin was injured, the princess is fine.

Shen Shuangning immediately raised her head.

Xiao Jingyuan then said: "He's not seriously injured, don't worry."

"...... All that matters is that everything's fine." Shen Shuangning's expression finally relaxed; as she sat up, she saw Xiao Jingyuan handing over a silk handkerchief.

Shall I wipe it for you, or do you want me to help?

Only then did Shen Shuangning realize her face must be dirty, tears mixed with mud, surely a sorry sight.

I'll do it myself, thank you.

She reached out to take the handkerchief he offered and quickly tidied herself up.

Seeing her in such a state for another man, Xiao Jingyuan's expression turned cold, and he turned his head away, no longer looking at her.

Shen Shuangning, meanwhile, furtively glanced at the man several times, feeling he was unusually different today, unexpectedly so thoughtful......

Soon after, Xiao Jingyuan picked up the torch again and said, "Let's go."

Shen Shuangning nodded.

Who knew that as she lifted her foot to take a step, a sharp pain shot from her right knee, and she couldn't help but hiss.

The jade pendant belonging to Xie Lin that she had been carrying also accidentally fell to the ground.

Xiao Jingyuan immediately turned his head to look at her.

His gaze first fell on her pained little face, then he saw what lay on the ground, and the anger he had just suppressed surged back up uncontrollably.

Frowning, he said: "Since you've discovered danger, why not return at once? What could you possibly do alone? You've really picked up a talent for self-inflicted suffering—now you're comfortable?"

In the past, Shen Shuangning would certainly have retorted a couple of times, but now she merely lowered her eyes, her voice as light as a feather:

"You're right, I'm useless—I didn't help at all, I even dragged others into trouble and made everyone worry."

Seeing her self-reproachful and helpless appearance, Xiao Jingyuan also regretted his harsh words, so he softened his tone: "It's not that you didn't help at all. The Imperial Guard got the news, promptly sealed off several exits, and heard they'd caught someone. If you hadn't sent word back in time, those assassins would have escaped."

"Just next time, don't put yourself in danger again." As he said the last sentence, his tone unconsciously softened.

Shen Shuangning heard him, slowly nodded, though her spirits remained low.

Xiao Jingyuan had never known how to comfort people, and for a moment he was speechless.

Shen Shuangning wiped her eyes with her sleeve and, without further ado, bent down to pick up the jade pendant.

Who knew that as she rose, she saw Xiao Jingyuan extend his hand, handing her the torch, and saying in a tone that allowed no argument: "Hold it."

Shen Shuangning obediently took it.

The next moment, Xiao Jingyuan turned his back to her, crouched down, his dark clothing gleaming with a subdued sheen in the firelight, and in his usual calm tone he clearly uttered two words: "Come up."

Shen Shuangning stared, and the sparks were blown by the wind, jumping about.

Seeing her remain motionless for a moment, Xiao Jingyuan turned his head sideways, and the firelight cast a sharp shadow along his jawline.

He urged: "For now, there may still be assassins hiding in the woods; we need to leave quickly—I can carry you and we'll move faster."

Shen Shuangning thought the same; the danger in the forest hadn't cleared, and if she really ran into trouble she'd only be a burden—right now the most important thing was to get out of this dense woods.

Shen Shuangning didn't think twice, answered "Yes," then carefully reached out, lightly placed her hand on his shoulder, and put her full weight on him.

The muscle beneath his cloth felt as solid as a warm stone, his shoulders broad and steady, gradually calming her startled heart.

Xiao Jingyuan wrapped both hands around her calves and said in a low voice: "Hold on tight."

Shen Shuangning quickly tightened her arms, one hand around his neck, the other holding the torch.

Xiao Jingyuan then rose steadily, his motion so stable she didn't sway at all.

The petite woman on his back was far lighter than he'd imagined; with such a frail frame, who knows where she got such boldness?

The two left the little thatched hut.

Xiao Jingyuan walked very steadily; even with occasional gravel and dry twigs underfoot, he didn't jostle her at all.

The deep forest remained silent, only this cluster of light swaying in the darkness.

Shen Shuangning quietly pressed her face against his back, watching the shadow on the ground.

The firelight flickered between them, stretching their shadows long and overlapping them on the ground.

Watching them made her feel a bit dazed.

After a while, she softly said: "Thank...... you for coming to save me."

She felt somewhat relieved that the person who found her was Xiao Jingyuan.

Xiao Jingyuan said nothing, walking forward in silence.

After who knows how long, he finally spoke slowly: "Are you truly ready to marry Xie Lin?"