Back at the Shen Residence, Shen Yao was seated in the study re reviewing all the information he had collected till date. He was already used to this routine but right now he couldn't quite focus. He tossed the letter in his hand that landed on the desk harshly
The sound was Xi Shu who was in the process of pouring tea to pause and turn to Shen Yao
His young master was sitting across from him with a calm expression not saying in particular just watching
"What happened to his young master seemed to have been enjoying his tea before, "Xi Shu thought, confused. "With the snacks. Why does he suddenly look like that now "
Before he could fully process what was happening, he heard his young master speak "We're going out."
Xi Shu glanced at his young master still confused
Shen Yao had already stood and dusted himself off with the unhurried efficiency the habit he used to do instinctively when he made up his mind. His eyes moved to the basket placed on the desk — the one Shen Miao had sent that morning, the one he'd been eating from between information. He picked up the last piece observed it under the light sun light; the taste it emitted was really tempting. he took a bite of it and walked towards the door without another word
Xi Shu stood still in the study the tea pot was still in his hand as he glanced at the door.
then at the tea pot he held
"We're going out," the words replaying in his mind "We. Going. Out."
The words assembled themselves in his mind slowly, but it took a while for them to click in place
"Oh, he meant we are heading out the main residence" he thought nodding his head as he slowly understood. he went back to his duties as he poured tea for his young master. it took him two minutes to fully understand the implication behind his words.
Then when it finally did, he placed down the tea pot and ran" Oh no, young master wait you can't go alone....young master its dangerous slow down " the first words being more of a mumble before he chased him
An hour later they both stood in front of what Shen Yao would call a delivery carriage that normally delivers fresh ingredients to the residence
They had now changed into commoner's clothes — plain and practical under Xi Shu's insistence as a safety measure. Shen Yao wore them with ease as he just treated the low-quality garments more of a necessity to complete his task than comfort, so he was fine. Xi Shu on the hand was experiencing discomfort not completely used to it though he suggested it for a moment it looked as he was the pampered young master not used to the way of life while his young master looked like a veteran what was this crazy situation he thought through imaginary tears "at least show a bit of discomfort you making me feel like am being overly dramatic "
The capital started moving past the carriage after they both settled down.
"This is.....", Shen Yao surprised as he glanced out the window," indeed seeing was believing" before when he left the Shen residence to go to the palace, he didn't have the time to worry about observing the capital all his focus was on what his majesty's intent could be but now
He glanced at the density of people, and noisy atmosphere that ordinary life compressed into something different from the hustle and bustle of the city he had long been used to. The stalls and the crowds and the conversations happening in passing and the thousand small transactions in the city created a lively picture that those dramas his sister had watched couldn't 100% replicate no matter how much they tried.
He took a deep breathe feeling the reality of the changes around him since the day he woke up in this body
"Yanyan mother am sorry I couldn't fully protect you", he thought glancing out the window. Feeling that he deserved all the bad that had been happening to him since he arrived in this world. He failed them he deserves nothing but pain Shen Yao's face turned pale as he remembered how his sister had suffered and he couldn't do anything
He felt like a man slowly drowning into the depths of despair where even if he tried, he couldn't save himself.
"Brother....brother" he had voices echoed in his mind then in his vision a delicate hand appeared holding a basket brother he slowly raised his head are you listening to me...I said you can't continue training yourself like a work horse or you'll hurt yourself sit down look I made you some snacks"' young master eat something you have been at it for a very long time" "Little Shen you need to rest a general can't protect properly if he himself isn't in top shape"
He took a deep breathe waking up from his daydream like a man who finally found a piece of driftwood in the endless depth of the ocean he held onto it, the dream replaying in his mind this time he didn't know why but it felt different something didn't feel right. Xi Shu next him was startled by what happened and turned to his young master panicked.
"Young Master are okay" he asked worried. Shen Yao nodded. Xi Shu didn't believe him and searched his body for new scars not forgetting to check on the old ones to make sure none had opened up again even by mistake. but he was fine he breathed a sigh of relief wanting to ask if anything was wrong, but his young master had turned his attention back outside. he sighed leaning back also falling deep in thought
In the shadow of a rooftop three streets behind the carriage Yu Xie moved without sound.
Beside him the man in black kept pace — the two of them tracking the carriage's progress through the city as it moved on. Landing not too far from the carriage
As a martial artist, Yu Xie's hearing was really good as he caught bits of the conversation happening in the carriage.
He frowned continuing to follow the carriage. It seems he had to tell his master when he returns.