30: Chapter 30: Relationship Heats Up, Feelings Become Subtle

Early in the morning, the steamed bun shop had just lifted the lid off its steamer, and the white steam billowed out, so thick it made one unable to open their eyes.

Chen Xuan stood before the stall, felt the empty coin purse at his waist, and grinned: "The usual, two meat buns, one to go."

The owner packed them up with practiced ease and handed them over. He took a bite, stamped his feet from the heat, but still didn't forget to hum a little tune.

At the street corner, Leng Shuang, dressed in her plain martial attire with a veil covering her face, watched his disheveled appearance from afar, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her cuffs.

She should have been hiding under the eaves following him in secret as usual, but today, just as she took a step, she saw Zhao Hongling turn out from another alley, carrying a string of candied haws, and swagger over to Chen Xuan's side.

"Eating something so hot again?" Zhao Hongling stuffed the candied haws into his hand. "Gnaw on this first, don't burn the skin off your tongue."

Chen Xuan happily took them: "Oh, did the sun rise from the west today? Young Miss Zhao is actually looking after my meals?"

"Stop being glib!" Zhao Hongling put her hands on her hips. "I'll buy for whoever I want, is that a problem?"

Leng Shuang stood still, her gaze lingering between the two for a moment, but eventually, she walked forward and stood three steps to the left of Chen Xuan.

She didn't speak, nor did she walk away; she simply followed along quietly.

Zhao Hongling glanced at her, opening her mouth to retort, but saw Leng Shuang tilt her head slightly and gesture with her chin toward the stall ahead.

A cart was sliding down the slope, piled high with ceramic jars, and it looked like it was about to crash into an old woman selling flowers by the roadside.

Just as Chen Xuan was about to move, Leng Shuang had already flashed forward, grabbing the cart handle with one hand and tapping the ground lightly to steady the cart.

Zhao Hongling's reaction was not slow either; she reached out to support the frightened old woman and brushed the dust off her shoulders.

"Are you alright? Stand steady now." Zhao Hongling's tone was crisp and brisk.

The old woman thanked them repeatedly, but neither of them stayed long, returning to Chen Xuan's sides, one on the left and one on the right.

For a moment, the air was quiet. Neither mentioned what had just happened, but the atmosphere was clearly not as tense as before.

Chen Xuan took a bite of the candied haws and said with a smile: "You two are quite in sync today. Did you plan this last night?"

"Who would plan anything with her!"

Zhao Hongling immediately retorted, but stopped mid-sentence. She stole a glance at Leng Shuang and noticed the corner of her mouth seemed to curl up slightly—it was extremely fast, almost imperceptible.

She was stunned for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Hmph, you're nothing but trouble anyway, so having one more person keeping an eye on you is fine."

The three continued walking forward; the street gradually widened, and the sounds of the crowd grew lively.

Passing by a tea shed, several idlers were sitting at a table bragging, their voices quite loud: "Tell me, which one is that Chen Xuan actually close to? I think it's the Young Miss of the Zhao family, they're stuck together every day."

Another shook his head: "Not necessarily. Yesterday I saw him waiting for Miss Leng in the back alley; he stood there for a long time without moving."

"In my opinion, that Princess Dugu from the Northern Territory is also interested in him; the night before last, she was keeping watch on the wall..."

Zhao Hongling's eyebrows shot up, ready to explode, but Leng Shuang suddenly reached out and gently pressed her wrist.

Zhao Hongling turned to look at her, and Leng Shuang only said calmly: "Ignore them."

Zhao Hongling opened her mouth, but eventually swallowed her anger and laughed instead: "He said it didn't matter who was looking after him, do you remember? That wasn't just to coax me alone."

Leng Shuang didn't answer, only retracted her hand, her fingertips slightly hot.

Just then, Dugu Xue walked over from across the street, her steps steady, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

She stopped in front of Chen Xuan and said in a low voice: "There's someone tailing you at the East Market entrance, wearing a gray robe, carrying a short blade, and pacing back and forth three times."

Chen Xuan chewed his bun and nodded: "Oh, got it."

"I've already sent my men to circle around and investigate," Dugu Xue said calmly. "I suggest you take a different route back to the inn."

Leng Shuang immediately said: "I'll take the lead."

"I'll accompany him," Zhao Hongling rushed to say.

"I'll patrol from above," Dugu Xue said. After finishing, her figure leaped up onto the roof, and with a few bounds, she disappeared among the rooftops.

Chen Xuan watched them each take action and suddenly felt something was a bit off.

In the past, whenever these people met, it was either cold words or sharp confrontations. How come now it's like they'd arranged it beforehand, with such clear division of labor?

As he was thinking this, Liu Ruyan's maid, Xiaotao, ran over and handed him an exquisitely embroidered sachet: "My mistress says that the evil winds have been strong these past few days, so please carry this for protection."

She added: "With the four of you traveling together, it's safer."

Chen Xuan took the sachet and looked down. Inside, besides some calming Divine Plant, a small bronze plate for heart protection was sewn in.

His heart warmed. He looked toward the flower boat and saw Liu Ruyan sitting at the prow, gently waving her round fan, nodding at him from afar.

He smiled and hung the sachet at his waist, saying to Leng Shuang and Zhao Hongling beside him: "Look, I'm going out with four bodyguards now; I walk with more confidence."

"Who's your bodyguard!" Zhao Hongling kicked him.

Leng Shuang huffed softly: "If you were truly capable, you wouldn't need us to follow you."

"Hey, that's not right."

Chen Xuan stroked his chin. "If I were truly capable, wouldn't you all be fighting over me? This way is much better; everyone gets a share, and no one loses out."

Zhao Hongling rolled her eyes: "Smooth talker."

Leng Shuang turned her head away, the tips of her ears slightly red.

The group bypassed the East Market and returned to the inn via South Alley. The setting sun spilled onto the bluestone pavement, casting long shadows.

Arriving at the courtyard gate, Chen Xuan stopped and looked at the rooftops, walls, and windowsills, saying in a low voice: "Actually... I understand everything."

As his voice trailed off, Leng Shuang leaped down from the eaves, landing silently. Zhao Hongling stepped out from behind a pillar, arms crossed.

Not far away, the tree shadows stirred; Dugu Xue sheathed her sword and walked over slowly. Over at the flower boat, Liu Ruyan stood up and gazed into the distance, neither approaching nor leaving.

No one spoke.

Chen Xuan looked up at the sky; the moon had already peeked out, its clear light faint.

He smiled: "From now on, don't skulk around. Isn't it better to walk together than alone?"

The air was silent for a moment.

Leng Shuang turned to leave, but her footsteps paused, and she said in a low voice: "...You are not allowed to get into trouble."

Zhao Hongling didn't make a fuss again, just gave a soft "Mm." Dugu Xue gripped her sword hilt, acknowledging it as a response.

Liu Ruyan waved her fan in the distance, her smile gentle and soft.

Chen Xuan stood in the courtyard, the wind blowing across his hem, the sachet at his waist swaying gently.

He knew that these people would no longer fight over who came first or last, nor would they hide in the shadows to protect him alone.

They stood together now, not out of compromise, but because of the same concern.

He said nothing more, turned, pushed open the door, glanced back at the four figures in the night, and gently closed the door.