Silent Lover (The Silent Concubine) - Chap 167

Chapter 167 – You Can’t Speak Either?

The bodyguard wore a black, tight-fitting outfit, suitable for stealth missions. Though his physique was broad and muscular, he didn’t appear clumsy. His shoulders were wide, and his waist was narrow and solid.

Shen Yu felt a faint sense of familiarity.

“Maybe I saw him on that rainy night,” he muttered to himself.

At the time, Shen Yu had caught a glimpse of four bodyguards, but the night had been dark and stormy. There was no way he could have seen them clearly; the impression was faint at best.

The bodyguard wore a gray-black iron mask, shaped into the menacing visage of a fanged demon.

“Why is he wearing a mask?” Shen Yu asked, puzzled.

Chu Ling responded without hesitation, “He’s one of the assassins trained by the clan. It’s necessary to conceal their identities. The ones you saw last night were also masked—didn’t you notice?”

“Oh.”

Shen Yu didn’t press further. In those chaotic moments, how could he have noticed what the assassins emerging from the forest looked like? They must have all been wearing similar masks.

“When will we set off? I’m fine now,” Shen Yu asked.

The relay station was only a few dozen miles from the capital. It would be easy for enemies to track them down, so Shen Yu was eager to continue the journey.

Chu Ling thought for a moment and replied, “There’s no rush. Rest and recover for a few days first.”

Shen Yu frowned. “I’m already fine. What if the authorities find us…”

Chu Ling hesitated before responding, “I went out to investigate this morning. Jun Xuanxiao has already ordered a retreat. It seems he’s no longer pursuing us.”

“A retreat?”

Shen Yu’s eyes widened in disbelief, then he let out a long sigh of relief, a weak smile appearing on his face.

“That’s wonderful. He must have lost his patience by now.”

Shen Yu’s whole body relaxed. When Jun Xuanxiao had been by his side, he was constantly on edge. Perhaps the tyrant had finally grown tired of Shen Yu’s cold demeanor.

That was good…

But… knowing Jun Xuanxiao’s stubborn and obsessive personality, it didn’t seem likely he’d give up so easily.

Maybe it was because of that secret memorial he had exposed—the one that revealed Jun Xuanxiao’s dark secret. Perhaps the shame was too much for him to face.

Chu Ling noticed Shen Yu deep in thought and asked, “Yu’er, now that you’ve escaped from him, are you happy?”

“Of course!”

The words left Shen Yu’s mouth without hesitation.

“Mm.”

Chu Ling nodded but silently noted that, even though Shen Yu claimed to be happy, there wasn’t a trace of joy or relief on his face.

“Here, drink some ginger soup to warm yourself and ward off the cold,” Chu Ling said, scooping a spoonful of soup and bringing it to Shen Yu’s lips.

Shen Yu took the bowl from him. “Thank you, Chu-ge. I can do it myself.”

He gulped down the soup quickly. Shen Yu had always been self-reliant and capable. It was only after entering the prince’s residence that he became accustomed to being served, gradually losing his independence. Later, Jun Xuanxiao treated him like a fragile doll, insisting on feeding him by hand—even meals. Shen Yu hadn’t dared to refuse.

Now that Shen Yu was starting over, he was determined to abandon those bad habits.

Chu Ling spoke softly, “Yu’er, there’s no need to be so polite with me.”

Shen Yu looked confused and replied, “I’m not being polite; it’s just easier to do it myself. No need to trouble others.”

At the word “others”, Chu Ling fell silent for a moment.

“I’m your elder brother. It’s my duty to take care of you. You can accept it without hesitation. Saying thanks all the time only makes us seem distant.”

Chu Ling’s gaze was warm, his tone gentle, filled with the affection of an older brother. There was no reproach in his words.

“I didn’t mean it like that…” Shen Yu began.

“Then accept it as naturally as you accepted Jun Xuanxiao’s care. No need to say thank you.”

Chu Ling had seen firsthand how Jun Xuanxiao had cared for Shen Yu—almost to the point of indulgence. Shen Yu never thanked Jun Xuanxiao for it, which was something only those closest to each other could do.

“That’s different.”

Shen Yu didn’t know how to explain. When facing Jun Xuanxiao, he hardly dared to speak and often got lost in his own thoughts. How could he think to thank him?

“Mm, it is different.”

Chu Ling’s eyes darkened briefly before he smiled and patted Shen Yu’s head. “I understand. We haven’t known each other for long. Yu’er, rest for a bit. I’ll go rent a carriage from the station manager. Once you’ve recovered, we’ll leave.”

After Chu Ling closed the door, Shen Yu thought over his words for a while but couldn’t make sense of them.

Shen Yu didn’t feel like sleeping any longer. After so much time unconscious, he wasn’t tired. He tried to get up but found his limbs weak, so he propped himself up against the pillow.

After sitting for so long that his back began to ache, Shen Yu suddenly looked toward the corner of the room where the bodyguard stood motionless.

The bodyguard remained in place, staring in Shen Yu’s direction. If not for the subtle rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, Shen Yu might have thought he was a stone statue.

Such discipline, Shen Yu marveled.

“What’s your name?”

Shen Yu thought it best to greet him. After all, his safety depended on this person, who risked his life for him. The least he could do was show some respect.

Besides, Shen Yu felt lonely. From the moment he had learned to speak, he’d spent the most time talking to Hong Lian and Bian Shisi. Occasionally, he’d chat with the servants or cooks. But after becoming empress, no one dared to talk to him.

Now that he had left Jun Xuanxiao, Shen Yu longed for some interaction again.

The bodyguard didn’t respond, standing silently with his hands behind his back.

“Well… you don’t have to stand all the time. Have a seat.”

Shen Yu pointed to a chair. If the man kept standing like that, Shen Yu feared he might collapse in half an hour.

The bodyguard ignored him. Shen Yu didn’t press further, assuming it was part of their rigorous training to be cold and detached.

Even Song Qing had been like that at first, tight-lipped and unresponsive. Back then, Shen Yu couldn’t speak either, so they’d often just stare at each other in silence.

Suddenly, Shen Yu had a flash of inspiration and clapped his hands.

“I know! You can’t speak either, can you?”