But you’ll meet many people in your life

“Sixth Young Master, Agu is fine,” Agu immediately replied, then looked toward Suzhen with a low sigh, “But how has Agu offended you, young sir?”

But Suzhen looked back at Murong Liu, explaining, “I just wanted to say a few words to Master Xie. Miss Agu… was blocking my way, so I…”

As soon as she said this, everyone’s faces darkened. You’re acting like you know Scholar Xie well—what could you possibly have to say to him? If you’re going to make excuses, at least make them believable!

These young masters were all sharp people—who couldn’t see she was hostile toward Agu?

But Murong Liu said nothing more, only his gaze carrying a trace of warning.

Suzhen trembled slightly, secretly biting her lip.

Suzhen didn’t respond to her, but Agu didn’t mind, smiling as she stepped aside, revealing the half-surprised faces of Scholar Xie and Mochou.

“Huaisu, you once called me elder brother. Can you now listen to elder brother’s words? It’s getting late, and Sixth Young Master’s time is precious. Let’s hurry and gather.”

Mu San’s calm voice suddenly came from behind.

Whether at his secret instruction or the man’s own action, her right hand suddenly raised toward Agu was grasped and restrained by Li Zhaoting!

Suzhen thought it must be the former—otherwise, given Li Zhaoting’s nature, how could he do such a thing in public!

Or perhaps he truly liked Agu so much that he didn’t hesitate to expose his feelings before others.

Agu, Agu—one glance captivates the heart, a second sight engraves it in memory.

Ah Feng, Ah Feng—Feng Tang grew old easily, Li Guang found it hard to be enfeoffed. Just thinking of it brought this unlucky feeling >_<

She slowly looked toward Li Zhaoting, who held her wrist captive.

“Young Master Li, please listen to Sixth Young Master and Brother Mu’s words.”

He looked at her, his gaze like a deep pool, seeming to sink with thin frost.

Suzhen’s heart also slowly sank. However, in reality, she had already been awakened by Murong Liu’s earlier words. This gesture of raising her hand to push again was only to frighten Agu. Indeed, she saw Agu’s brow furrow lightly, though this woman was also magnanimous, her face still showing a faint smile.

“My hand was just a bit tired, so I wanted to stretch it. But what did Brother Mu and Master Zhaoting think I was going to do?”

She smiled, questioning Li Zhaoting in return.

Mu San made an “oh” sound, and Li Zhaoting frowned slightly, releasing her hand.

That day, easily disguising herself for love, her male attire was flawless, but her height among women was only moderately above average, somewhat shorter than Scholar Xie, so she looked up slightly, saying earnestly, “Huaisu has a question to ask you, sir.”

Scholar Xie hurriedly replied, “I dare not. Please speak, young master.”

Suzhen looked at Mochou again, “Miss, please don’t mind.”

Mochou was surprised and puzzled, but out of courtesy smiled and shook her head, hearing this person say, “Master Xie, did you ever like that childhood sweetheart girl? Were you ever good to her?”

Scholar Xie actually froze for quite a while, finally gazing at Mochou and smiling bitterly, “Before meeting Mochou, I originally thought I would marry her and naturally be good to her, but later… you already know the circumstances, young master, so I won’t say more.”

Suzhen thought for a moment, looking down at the stone-paved road, “But you’ll still meet many people in the future—beautiful ones, intelligent ones, kind ones, those who understand you… When these kinds of girls appear, looking just as you like them, what will you do then? Like with your former fiancée, will you not want Mochou anymore?”

Scholar Xie was stunned, and Mochou’s face also changed slightly.

“I say, Li Huaisu, you’re too foolish. In my family there are plenty of women—all kinds I like, with myriad charms. Why consider so much? Just take them all.” Murong Jiu glanced at her impatiently.

Agu now lowered her eyes slightly, saying softly, “Your question is quite good, young master. Only, only… human emotions are always thus. Loving the new and abandoning the old is human nature, but responsibility and duty remain. At this point, it comes down to a matter of ‘most.’ Whoever most captures the heart is most beloved.”

Suzhen turned to look at her, wanting to argue, her lips moving several times, but unable to say anything.

Jealousy was one thing, reason another—what Agu said seemed… not wrong.

Regarding love, if one were to boast about it, the greatest difference between men and women is that the former often boast of quantity, while the latter mostly boast of time.

I’ve had how many people versus he’s loved me for many years.

Was it like this?

She didn’t know, but hearing it now, it seemed so.

Li Zhaoting stood behind her without speaking. She very much wanted to see Li Zhaoting’s expression, but dared not move rashly again, fearing people would see through her.

Everything suddenly became quiet for a moment. Until a robe was draped over her, still carrying warm fragrance—she was startled. This warmth made her realize she was nearly frozen. Looking, she saw it was Murong Qi, who had rarely spoken tonight. He wore only white inner garments, saying softly, “Murong Qi doesn’t know what Huaisu is thinking, but people like us generally don’t have thoughts of devotion from beginning to end. If we do, it’s only distinguishing between which are for playing and which can be cherished and protected.”

“But my neighbor Brother Aniu and his wife have been good together all their lives, and my… late father was the same with my mother.”

“I will be too.”

Scholar Xie, who hadn’t answered before, suddenly responded to her.

But Murong Qi smiled faintly, “Don’t blame Murong Qi for speaking directly, Huaisu—that’s only because they lack this ability.”

Suzhen’s heart jumped, and she looked again at Scholar Xie, who was clenching his teeth.

Murong Qi smiled, “Well, my sixth brother has many matters tomorrow, and it’s time to go home. Huaisu, still listen to your Brother Mu’s words and move to the next stop, all right?”

Scholar Xie and Mochou took their leave upon seeing this. At this time, several girls from Guixiang House ran out, secretly tucking small embroidered pouches into Mochou’s hands. Everyone understood these must be some relief silver.

Mochou tearfully bowed in thanks, finally looking toward Huaisu, “Sir, you don’t see that even whores have feelings. If there’s a day we meet again, Xie Lang and I will tell you the answer to today’s question.”

“That would have to be fifty or sixty years from now.”

Suzhen pulled at the robe on her body, sniffling from the cold.

“Why?”

“Because by then he’ll be too old to move.”

Mochou was stunned, then sneered coldly, “Fine, then let time prove it.”

She and Scholar Xie bowed again to everyone and left, ignoring Suzhen. But Suzhen still muttered foolishly behind her back, “Don’t forget how Du Shiniang once sank all the treasures in her hundred-treasure chest.”

Her appearance seemed somewhat foolish. Agu watched as several men’s gazes remained steady, but they had all turned their heads away, sighing inwardly, understanding that the situation was perhaps already decided.

She had spoken up, Murong Jiu had spoken up, Mu San had spoken up, Li Zhaoting had spoken up, Murong Qi had spoken up, but this Huaisu…

“Huaisu, let’s go too.”

Finally, it was Mu San’s words again that pulled Suzhen’s consciousness back.

Suzhen stuck out her tongue at him, obediently moving back to Murong Liu’s side, ingratiatingly putting her head close to his. Murong Liu chuckled softly, but his eyes no longer held their earlier interest, as if she had completely ruined his appetite. He no longer looked at her, walking forward to accompany Mu San, “To show respect to Wei, the former emperor established protocols—Wei merchant caravans coming to Zhou each year need not enter court to pay respects to the ruler. Thus, we didn’t even know the team leader had changed this time. Brother Mu, what do you think of that Master Ji’s identity just now? How much do you think Wei will raise grain and oil prices this time?”

“Mu San has been waiting for Sixth Young Master to ask. Now that Mu finally has a chance to serve, Mu San is greatly honored.”

Mu San looked at Murong Liu, his eyes blazing like torches.

“What a ‘waiting’—Murong Liu’s cultivation is shallow, making Brother Mu laugh.”

Murong Liu shook his head with a smile.

Li Zhaoting said, “Sixth Young Master’s observation was keen. Just now when Miss Agu disrupted Master Ji’s plan, that Master Ji was about to make trouble, but an elder in the group who recognized Brother Mu told the leader of his identity, so he became wary and didn’t cause difficulties on the spot. Sixth Young Master immediately deduced that this Master Ji wasn’t the usual leader and knew he must belong to Wei’s royal family, coming with purpose on this trip.”

Murong Liu glanced at Li Zhaoting, his gaze deepening slightly, “Brother Mu’s protégé is truly capable. Young master has great talent. Ji is not the Great Wei national surname—Murong Liu never said Master Ji was Wei royalty, yet you already understood he was royalty, knowing that Ji surname was just something he said casually. Could you be Li Zhaoting from Huai County?”

Li Zhaoting lowered his head, “Sixth Young Master overprauses. Zhaoting pays respects to you, honored guest.”

Murong Jiu frowned, “What are you all talking about? I can’t understand. What royalty? What price increases?”

Murong Qi smiled and continued, “So that’s how it is. Hearing your conversation has opened Murong Qi’s eyes. If it were the old person, there’d be no need for the elder to point out Brother Mu’s identity—he’d already know. The former Wei merchant leader was always known for fair trade. To suddenly be replaced probably means price increases as sixth brother said. For such a major matter, how could royalty not personally send someone to negotiate? This tax revenue represents a large sum falling into their pockets.”

“Mu traveled and studied in ten countries in his early years, so I know something about each country’s royal families. If Mu hasn’t guessed wrong, this Master Ji is Great Wei’s Prince Zhennan’s heir, Xie Fengji—a ruthless character. Originally, when royalty comes here, the Personnel and Revenue Departments should receive notice to welcome them, but he didn’t submit proper documents to notify anyone. Tonight he also used a false surname and threw around money, creating momentum first. When it comes time to raise prices, he’ll catch the Revenue Department off guard. Fortunately Agu stepped out to suppress him just now.”

Agu shook her head, “I dare not claim credit.”

Just then, a rider on a fine horse galloped over. A woman quickly dismounted, knelt beside Murong Liu, and reported, “There are matters at the residence. Please return quickly, master.”

Behind her, Suzhen broke out in a cold sweat.

Murong Liu was leaving, and moreover, he didn’t want her anymore. Tomorrow would be the day of the palace examinations.

What should she do?

Unless… she could follow him home and have a good talk with him?