After seeing clearly the true face of the man before her, Luo Sheng understood this was a person selfish to the extreme.

Saying he came to visit the Prince and Princess of Pingnan, and upon hearing that Wei Wen had come to cause trouble, stopped by to intervene—that would be one thing.

But staying to drink? That didn’t align with his interests.

If he stayed, there must be greater benefits attracting him.

Was it the sweet wine, or the delicious dishes?

Luo Sheng secretly shook her head.

After the incident at the Grand Commander’s residence, even people like Minister Zhao could restrain their appetite and hadn’t come again. She didn’t believe Wei Qiang coveted this bit of food and drink.

Then what did he stay for?

Luo Sheng couldn’t figure it out for the moment.

But she wasn’t afraid. What she feared was him constantly hiding behind those high palace walls where she couldn’t reach him.

“Will Your Highness have the fish ball hotpot again today?”

“Yes, I’m a rather devoted person. Once I like something, I’ll continue liking it.” Wei Qiang looked at Luo Sheng with a faint smile.

Luo Sheng’s heart stirred. A thought flashed by like light skimming across water, disappearing in an instant.

She didn’t catch that thought, so she smiled calmly: “Then Your Highness please wait a moment.”

Before long, a small red clay brazier with hidden charcoal was brought up, topped with a steaming pot.

Fish balls that had absorbed the delicious broth bobbed up and down in the pot, their fragrance swirling through the hall, growing denser and denser.

This was a long-missed flavor.

Wei Qiang took a light breath, revealing a deeply satisfied smile.

Luo Sheng returned to sit by the counter, propping her chin on her hand, looking utterly bored.

Calculating the time, matters should soon come to a conclusion.

She resisted the urge to glance toward the window.

As night fell, no other customers came to the fragrant tavern.

Wei Qiang spoke up: “Will Miss Luo’s tavern continue operating indefinitely?”

Luo Sheng glanced at him and replied lazily: “As long as no one comes to smash up the shop, of course it will continue operating.”

Wei Qiang fell silent.

He wanted to ask: The Grand Commander has gotten into trouble, aren’t you worried?

But looking at her like this, she clearly hadn’t thought about being anxious.

This was a young lady who had never suffered grievances, who didn’t know how difficult things could be when one was in dire straits.

But it was precisely because of this that she possessed a fearlessness that other women lacked.

That made him involuntarily think of that person through her.

Wei Qiang became lost in thought for a moment, his gaze lingering on Luo Sheng a bit too long.

Luo Sheng looked up, keenly catching that trace of unusual expression in his eyes. Her heart jumped.

That fleeting thought suddenly became crystal clear.

What Wei Qiang sought wasn’t fine wine, nor delicious food, but her.

No—Miss Luo!

The instant she realized this, Luo Sheng nearly failed to maintain her lazy, calm expression.

She was truly shocked to the extreme.

Wei Qiang had actually taken an interest in Miss Luo!

What did he see in Miss Luo? Her arrogance and domineering ways, or her keeping of male companions?

Miss Luo certainly had her endearing qualities, but based on her understanding of Wei Qiang, those weren’t points he would appreciate.

After her emotions rose and fell for a long while, they finally returned to calm.

A trace of self-mockery flashed at the corner of her lips.

Perhaps she had been presumptuous, and in truth didn’t understand this person at all. Otherwise, how could she have been so blind back then?

Regardless, Wei Qiang definitely had designs on Miss Luo.

Luo Sheng lowered her eyelids, frost forming in the depths of her eyes.

She was now Miss Luo. Just thinking about this disgusting man coveting her made her want to rush to the kitchen, grab a cleaver, and hack him to pieces.

He had destroyed Qingyang, and now wanted to destroy Luo Sheng!

Destroy Luo Sheng…

Luo Sheng turned her eyes to look at that person elegantly eating his hotpot, and suddenly formed a speculation: Could the Grand Commander’s sudden fall to become a prisoner have his hand in it?

One thing was certain—if the Grand Commander had remained the Commander of the Jinlin Guard, Wei Qiang could forget about having any connection with Miss Luo.

“Miss Luo.”

Luo Sheng collected her thoughts and asked casually: “Has Your Highness finished eating?”

Wei Qiang stood up: “I’ve finished. I’ll come again another day.”

“Your Highness, take care.”

Looking at the young lady in the lamplight, Wei Qiang felt an impulse to have her see him off.

The palace walls were high and towering; it wasn’t easy for him to come out.

But immediately this thought extinguished like a weak candle flame in a strong wind, quietly dying out.

It wasn’t yet time to be impulsive.

“Miss Luo, until we meet again.”

Wei Qiang walked out of the tavern and looked back once.

The tavern was brightly lit in the night, a warmth one would long for in the cold depths of winter.

“Your Highness, it’s cold outside.” Dou Ren gently reminded him.

Wei Qiang nodded slightly and strode forward.

Luo Sheng didn’t wait for the tavern to close for the night. She returned early to the Grand Commander’s residence.

Upon entering, her face was clouded over, her eyes revealing cold frost.

Before long, news that the Third Miss was in a bad mood quietly spread.

In the past, what—the Third Miss is in a bad mood?

Then one should definitely keep as far away as possible. Go near and wait to be beaten?

But today was different.

First, the Senior Concubine was selected by the other concubines as their representative to come to Leisurely Cloud Courtyard.

“Miss, did something happen to you today?”

Luo Sheng looked completely nonchalant: “The young princess from Prince Pingnan’s residence came to cause trouble. I drove her away. It’s nothing major.”

The Senior Concubine’s heart jumped with fear: “Really nothing? Offending the princess—”

“If she came to cause trouble, it proves we’d already offended her. The only difference is whether or not my father is in trouble. Senior Concubine, please return. No need to worry about these things, since worrying is useless anyway.”

“Then Miss, don’t let it affect your mood.” After hearing Luo Sheng’s words, the Senior Concubine sighed inwardly and silently left.

The concubines waiting for news surrounded her, chattering: “Elder Sister, why is Miss unhappy?”

Times were different now—they couldn’t cause more trouble!

“Miss doesn’t have any particular problem. It’s just that the young princess from Prince Pingnan’s residence brought people to cause trouble, and Miss slapped the princess once.”

The concubines: “…”

Miss might not have any problems, but they did!

Luo Chen came over after the Senior Concubine.

“Perhaps you should close the tavern for now.” After a moment of silence, Luo Chen spoke this sentence.

Luo Sheng smiled: “Your information travels quite quickly.”

Luo Chen glanced at her: “I’m not deaf. Can’t I use my ears to listen while in the residence?”

Just thinking about Luo Sheng facing a crowd of aggressive people all alone made him both angry and guilty.

“Don’t want to close it.”

Luo Chen: “…”

Such a willful answer—definitely still Luo Sheng.

“Don’t worry, I won’t suffer any losses.” Luo Sheng handed over an oil paper package.

“What’s this?”

“Xiao Qi caught some sparrows and fried up a plate. She asked me to bring you a few to try.”

Luo Chen frowned with distaste: “I don’t eat sparrows.”

Luo Sheng smiled: “I’m just passing along the message. Hong Dou says she’ll eat anything.”

Luo Chen took the oil paper package, his face stiff: “My things are mine to handle. I’ll throw them away.”

Seeing the youth walk away quickly, Luo Sheng smiled.

Kou’er reported: “Miss, the three young ladies have arrived.”

Luo Sheng changed her posture, leaning lazily against the warming cage.

“Please invite the three young ladies in.”

The people she truly wanted to wait for had finally arrived.

Before long, Luo Ying and two others walked in.

“Elder Sisters, why haven’t you gone to bed yet? Coming over at this hour?”

Luo Ying observed Luo Sheng’s expression, her tone concerned: “We heard something happened at the tavern today.”