“Li Huaisu.”

Not far away, two vendors were quarreling over a stall location, greeting each other’s families in colorful language. Suzhen hugged her basket, watching with some amusement, shaking her head and laughing aloud when the voice suddenly came from behind her.

Her body imperceptibly stiffened, then she turned around, but didn’t immediately respond. Instead, she carefully examined the person before her.

About three or four steps away, the man wore a lake-blue satin robe with dark-patterned bamboo trim as inner lining, a white jade ornament at his waist, and dark gold-threaded black boots, making his appearance even more refined and distinguished, with an imposing noble bearing.

His gaze was also very deep as he carefully studied her.

“Court is over? Any progress on the assassin matter? The local floods were just dealt with, and now there’s been more heavy rain—will new disasters arise? Has your fever completely broken? Did you bring enough protective personnel? Are Ming Yanchu and the others nearby?”

Looking at his expression, so similar to when they first met—his gaze seemingly calm as water yet deep and shrewd—Suzhen felt uncomfortable being looked at this way, always sensing an approaching storm. As she spoke, she asked many questions.

Lian Yu said quietly: “Today you and I won’t discuss state affairs. I didn’t have Ming Yanchu and the others accompany me—only brought Xuanwu. The personnel are absolutely sufficient, all hidden in the shadows. You needn’t worry.”

“Good. It’s rare to come out and play—discussing business would indeed spoil the mood. As long as there are enough people.” Suzhen smiled and nodded. “Look, I brought you something delicious.”

She waved the food basket in her hand toward him like showing off a treasure, then suddenly remembered something: “You’ve already eaten, right?”

Lian Yu quickly answered her: “No.”

He stepped forward in two or three strides, took her basket, and asked with a slight smile: “What did you buy me?”

He finally smiled. Suzhen hoped it would stay like this until the day was over.

Hearing him ask what she’d bought, she didn’t immediately answer. Seeing her somewhat strange expression, Lian Yu pulled her to sit by the river and opened the lid himself.

“Are these fashionable dishes in the capital now?” Looking at the contents of the basket, Lian Yu’s pupils dilated slightly as he asked with great interest: “This black thing is… fried black rice porridge?”

“No, it’s not black rice—it burned afterward…”

“Oh, then this bowl must be meat soup with noodle skins?”

“These are wontons! The filling and wrappers just separated and aren’t together anymore.”

“Oh, then… these flat white powdery lumps—are they rice cakes? Year cakes? Neither seems right—what kind of cakes?”

“Those are lotus leaf soup balls. The white parts are the soup balls—I don’t know how they got burnt…”

“Oh, no problem. At least the lotus leaves are still intact.”

“…”

“And this plate of black-brown charcoal—I’m guessing they used to be meat, right?”

“…”

“Where did you buy these?” Lian Yu silently surveyed all the contents of the basket and turned to ask.

“I didn’t buy them.”

Lian Yu asked again: “Does that old steward at your residence usually make these things for you to eat?”

“Yes, that’s the old man’s level of skill. We usually eat takeout most of the time.” Suzhen slammed the lid down heavily. “You’re not going to eat it, are you? Actually, I never intended for you to eat it—I just brought the old man’s cooking to joke around with you.”

“Mm, come on, let’s go buy some food over there. I’m hungry too.” Lian Yu pulled her up.

Both sides of the waterway were busy streets. When Suzhen arrived, it was still early and the vendors were sparse, but now it was gradually becoming lively. As Lian Yu and Suzhen walked by, seeing their fine clothes and recognizing Lian Yu as obviously a distinguished guest, the vendors kept trying to attract their business.

Lian Yu thought for a moment, walked to a stall, bought many pot stickers, and had the owner add meat to make a large bowl of wontons, taking everything to go.

“Sir, miss, aren’t you eating here? Hey, sir…” The proprietress wiped the table and kept asking.

“Thank you, but no.” Lian Yu politely declined.

Born with natural nobility, the other party didn’t dare ask more questions. He simply held Suzhen’s hand and walked back to their previous spot.

Though there were quite a few well-dressed young gentlemen passing by, Lian Yu’s appearance and bearing were truly outstanding. Previously it was Suzhen observing others, but now they were being observed, intentionally or not, especially by young ladies.

Suzhen was full of indignation, swinging the food basket with sharp eyes: “Where’s Xuanwu? Call him out—I’ll reward him with the good meat and vegetables from my Court of Judicial Review.”

A suspicious figure ahead glanced in their direction, then walked away.

Trying to run? Suzhen chuckled and was about to get up when Lian Yu pressed her back down, took the food basket from her hands, and stuffed the purchased food back into her hands: “Eat. Don’t let it all get cold.”

Suzhen was stunned: “Wasn’t this for you to eat?”

“I’ll eat this.” Lian Yu smiled, opening the food basket. “How could I let that fellow Xuanwu eat these things? He’d be like a cow chewing peonies.”

He took chopsticks from the basket and actually began eating.

Suzhen watched him fixedly as he ate, bite by bite, those things she had made with her own hands but didn’t even know what they were. She thought he would stop after a few token bites, but unexpectedly he ate elegantly and gracefully, yet not slowly, soon finishing half of it. Throughout the process, he didn’t frown once.

If she didn’t know he was from the imperial palace, she’d really think he was a beggar gang disciple.

She suddenly felt the steam from the wontons in her hands was scalding to her eyes. After eating two bites, she slowly stopped.

“What’s wrong? Want to try some of mine?” Lian Yu’s lips curved slightly as he picked up some wonton skin from his bowl with chopsticks and brought it to her mouth. Suzhen hastily avoided it, saying viciously: “You eat it yourself. I’m also the type who chews peonies like a cow—please don’t be polite.”

The smile in Lian Yu’s eyes grew broader as he changed to picking up a piece of blackened-red rabbit meat to tease her. Suzhen screamed as she dodged, nearly falling into the river.

Fortunately, Lian Yu was quick-eyed and pulled her back.

After eating and drinking their fill, Suzhen suggested strolling through the market.

The two walked hand in hand, visiting many shops—music halls, tea houses, book stores… They inevitably encountered some experts, but they were also knowledgeable people who could match the professionals punch for punch and step for step. At a wine house, they encountered a storyteller discussing politics and reform pros and cons. Common people gathered around to listen, and Lian Yu’s few words left the storyteller stunned.

The two looked at each other and smiled before walking away.

Time flew to the afternoon. As the two chatted and walked, Suzhen suddenly stopped and patted the pouch at her waist, laughing: “You performed well today—this lord rewards you with a gift. Pick whatever you like.”

Lian Yu glanced at her flat money bag: “Come on, whatever you like, I’ll buy it for you.”

But Suzhen pulled him to stop at a jade ornament stall nearby.

“I know you don’t think much of these things—that jade ornament you’re wearing could buy this entire wine house—but…” She didn’t say “but what,” only urged: “Pick one. I’ll buy it with my salary. But I don’t have much salary left this month, so don’t pick anything too expensive.”

Lian Yu stared at her for a long moment before saying: “I don’t need anything. Keep your money.”

“Just buy one.” Suzhen insisted.

“Sir, please take a look. I have excellent jade pieces here, many varieties and styles. Though the styles can’t compare to the fashionable ones from official families in the capital, since these are from local mines, I’m selling at a loss just to build some reputation in the capital—low prices.” The young stallkeeper smiled obsequiously at Lian Yu.

Lian Yu paid no attention and even faced Suzhen with firm resolve: “I really don’t need anything. Let’s go buy something for you instead.”

Suzhen no longer insisted and smiled as she nodded.

Lian Yu suddenly grasped her hand and pulled her away.

Suzhen was startled: “What are you doing? You’re hurting me—let go.”

Lian Yu didn’t answer, nor did he let go. He dragged her along the whole way as passersby watched the two in shock.

Only when they reached the riverside from before did Lian Yu let go.

The surrounding vendors were still busy, but the afternoon sunshine suddenly withdrew. The sky became dark and overcast—clearly another heavy rain was coming.

Suzhen stood still, not paying attention to her smarting wrist, only looking at Lian Yu: “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong.” Lian Yu repeated her words, his eyes no longer holding any trace of laughter, only dark depths like a deep pool.

“I cannot accept your gift, Li Huaisu. There are some things I had intended to say after spending this day well with you, but I truly cannot continue any longer. I have made my decision—in this lifetime, I will fail you. I… cannot let her go. If I made you an imperial consort, the result would be painful for everyone, so I’m destined to be cruel to one person.”

“In this life, as long as it doesn’t violate state law or involve matters of love, whatever you want me to do for you—as long as it’s within Lian Yu’s power—I will certainly accomplish it for you. Also, when the time I promised you arrives and I let you overturn the case, I will never go back on my word, as long as you can truly produce conclusive evidence.”

As he spoke, he slowly took something from his chest and handed it back to her.

Suzhen didn’t take it.

She only looked quietly at the man before her, so quietly it was as if she didn’t exist in this world at all. Her right hand instinctively gripped her left sleeve tightly—there, she had placed a letter.

Originally, she had planned to give it to him after spending this day together. It didn’t contain many words, just a few farewell phrases. It wasn’t about permanent separation or death—she would still be his minister, and he would still be her ruler. It was just that from now on, there would be nothing else.

She had decided to let go and fulfill his love and righteousness. Sometimes the most painful thing in this world isn’t love or hate, but guilt. If she let go first, he wouldn’t have to choose and would have fewer regrets.

Now the outcome seemed no different, but why did hearing it from his mouth make her feel so miserable she could barely stand, as if someone had viciously added another stab to the wound she had inflicted on herself?