The scholar’s heart swayed, reaching out to grasp her hand, but the white-robed person avoided it imperceptibly. The scholar, feeling frustrated, drank what he had called “vulgar fragrant substance” in one gulp and squinted at her again. His companion laughed: “Brother has indeed achieved a fine romance today.”

At this moment, that maidservant raised an eyebrow and gave a cold laugh. Without saying anything, she reached into her bosom, searching for something but couldn’t find it.

Suzhen took a sip of wine and drew a handkerchief from her sleeve, handing it to the maidservant while looking at the white-robed person: “If you don’t mind, please use mine first.”

The maidservant was stunned, and the white-robed person was also stunned, then nodded: “Thank you. Xiang’er, accept it.”

Maidservant Xiang’er received it with both hands, looking at her with some respect, dipped the handkerchief in the remaining cup of powder mixture, and shortly handed it to the white-robed person.

The white-robed person took it and cleaned her hands with the handkerchief.

The green-robed scholar was dumbfounded. After a long while, he glared angrily at the white-robed person: “What you gave me just now was hand-washing liquid? You actually dared make me drink such a thing!”

But the white-robed person remained calm and unruffled, saying softly: “Young sir, you gifted me fragrant tea, and I returned your courtesy, but I never said it was food.”

Seeing the green-robed scholar reach for the white-robed person’s lapel with a face full of shame and anger, harboring both thoughts of revenge and lecherous intentions, Suzhen smiled and said to Leng Xue: “In the past we’ve also used lemon water and soapberry for cleaning. I’ve only read about this bean powder in books. I heard it requires dozens of precious flowers, mixed with jade chips and various expensive spices, ground to completion. Even ordinary wealthy households cannot afford it—it’s extremely precious. How fortunate to see it today.”

She knew Leng Xue was puzzled by her sudden interruption, but given their years of emotional understanding, Leng Xue simply said “mm” indifferently.

The other scholar looked somewhat panicked as he pulled back the green-robed scholar. Suddenly realizing the expenses she had just listed weren’t typical of ordinary households, this white-robed person was either very wealthy or very noble—absolutely not someone to offend lightly. The green-robed scholar seemed to immediately realize this point too and suddenly sat down to drink tea.

The white-robed person’s eyes crinkled with amusement: “You are a kind-hearted person. Very well, since I accept your sentiment, today’s matter can be considered mere entertainment.”

Her words trailed off lightly as she glanced around. Suzhen understood her meaning, smiled back without saying more, but was secretly shocked—if she had pursued the matter, these two romantic scholars would have faced great disaster.

After that, everyone at the table minded their own business without incident.

The two scholars heard people at nearby tables discussing imperial city affairs. After the green-robed scholar recovered, he quickly became interested and said to his companion: “Tell me, is the emperor using Prime Minister Quan’s wife to deal with Prime Minister Quan himself? Just as I predicted, the first thing this young emperor does after ascending the throne is eliminate the big fish in court.”

His companion whispered: “The emperor’s action is quite radical. Think about it—how many court officials have good relations with Prime Minister Quan? First and foremost, Young General Chao commands troops, and he’s Prime Minister Quan’s sworn brother, a life-and-death friendship…”

Scholars most loved discussing politics, but at the emperor’s feet, it was best not to discuss court affairs. You never know—among those around you, there might be one or two you absolutely cannot afford to provoke. Suzhen thought this while taking another sip of wine, noticing a flash of sharpness cross the white-robed person’s lips.

This woman appeared elegant and quiet but possessed keen insight. As she was thinking this, the white-robed person proved to be someone who observed expressions and suddenly asked: “From your appearance, you seem to have different views on this discussion?”

She was startled but quickly turned her thoughts and immediately replied: “Isn’t it the same for you?”

The white-robed person’s brow twitched, apparently not expecting such a response, and looked at her: “Might I hear your insights?”

Suzhen smiled: “I’m a crude country person. I’d like to hear your elegant opinion first.”

The white-robed person was stunned, then smiled: “Good. I was originally feeling stifled, but coming out today, I unexpectedly met an interesting person and would like to make friends. Since we’re befriending each other, gentlemen should be frank and not avoid suspicions—even if we shouldn’t speak of it, what does it matter! How about we both write down our thoughts and exchange them?”

Upon hearing this, Suzhen still had concerns but agreed.

The two scholars looked puzzled, but the white-robed person said nothing and had Xiang’er ask the shopkeeper for paper and brush.

Taking the paper Xiang’er handed her, Suzhen looked and felt both joy and surprise—what the white-robed person had written, though not entirely the same as her thoughts, was not far off.

Across from her, the white-robed person smiled broadly.

Just then, several people passed by the shop entrance. Apparently familiar with the owner, they shouted toward the counter: “Big trouble! The emperor has ordered the execution of Hanlin Academy’s Fu Jingshu and border garrison commander Liu Shouping’s families. The imperial procession is now heading to the execution ground at the vegetable market, with the emperor and Prime Minister Quan personally overseeing the executions. The criminals are divided into several groups, escorted respectively by Grand Tutor Wei, General Chao, Third Prince, Fourth Prince, Marquis Huo, and others. This spectacle is truly unprecedented.”

“Excellent! Let’s see who else dares rebel!”

Before long, half the people eating and drinking in the inn poured out to watch the excitement.

The wine cup slipped from her hand. Suzhen pushed back from the table, rose, and rushed out.