When Shen Yangge woke, he saw that the carriage had stopped. After a moment's thought, he slowly lifted the curtain and asked, "Are we here?"
The servant answered, "Yes, Lord Shen."
Shen Yangge stooped as he stepped out of the carriage, and someone helped him down. He looked rather unwell. As he was being helped down, the guards at the Shen Residence's entrance immediately came forward to salute him, but he waved them away.
"Let go of me, all of you. What would it look like if I had to be helped inside?"
He couldn't let Shen Mother see him like this. Otherwise, there was no telling what might happen.
He had only walked a short distance past the gates of the Shen Residence when he heard footsteps up ahead. Taken aback, he looked up.
Dressed in pale green, Shen Mother approached with small steps, calling softly, "Yang'er, you're finally back."
"Mother, what's happened?"
The worry on Shen Mother's face made Shen Yangge's heart skip a beat.
Shen Mother looked him up and down, then took his arm and chided him. "Look at you. The servants told me everything. You had to be helped before you even entered the residence. Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Did you do something wrong and get caned by His Highness?"
How could Shen Yangge possibly tell her the real reason?
He covered it up with a vague response. "...Yes."
"Mother, let's go inside first."
Holding his arm, Shen Mother tried to draw him toward her so he could lean on her and walk without so much effort. Shen Yangge noticed her care and took it to heart.
Thinking of how he would have to leave for somewhere far away so soon after returning, he sighed inwardly.
Shen Yangge had no intention of telling anyone.
When