The young woman smiled as she tugged at the young man’s sleeve.

The young man, who stood nearly a head taller than the young woman, had lost his usual arrogance and willfulness, appearing remarkably obedient.

Wei Han felt this scene was somewhat jarring to his eyes.

That firewood-chopping lad had been growing quite fast lately, nearly catching up to his own height.

Why was Miss Luo pulling at this lad?

Wei Han’s gaze fell upon Xu Fang, his eyes growing deeper.

Wasn’t his elder sister going to intervene?

He cleared his throat lightly and strode over with large steps.

Luo Sheng released Xu Xi’s sleeve, greeting him naturally and composedly: “Your Highness has arrived.”

Xu Fang pulled Xu Xi along as they hurried to pay their respects to Wei Han.

Wei Han fell silent for a moment, then said as if nothing were amiss: “No need for such formality. I haven’t interrupted your conversation, have I?”

Xu Xi couldn’t help but move his lips.

He had just knelt down and been pulled up by Miss Luo, still unclear why his elder sister wanted him to kneel, when Prince Kaiyang arrived.

They had clearly been seriously interrupted…

Xu Fang’s eyes sparkled with amusement: “I came to find my younger brother. I won’t disturb Your Highness and Miss Luo. Miss Luo, I’ll take Xu Xi to the main hall for some tea.”

Once in the main hall, Xu Xi lowered his voice: “Elder sister, you hadn’t finished talking with Miss Luo, had you?”

Xu Fang glanced at Xu Xi, somewhat helpless at her brother’s obliviousness to subtle matters.

She and her husband lived in marital harmony—she was no longer the naive young maiden from before her marriage. How could she not see that Prince Kaiyang regarded Miss Luo differently?

Her current situation could be said to be entirely thanks to Miss Luo’s assistance, so naturally she hoped to see Miss Luo happy.

She only hoped that Miss Luo and Prince Kaiyang, this pair of lovers, would soon bear fruit.

“Casual conversation can happen anytime.”

Xu Xi scratched his head: “Then why did you just want me to kowtow to Miss Luo?”

In the past, he would have jumped in protest.

A man’s knees bore gold—how could he kowtow to a girl?

Not even the female demon—he would never yield!

But after learning the secret his elder sister had borne for years, he had pounded the persimmon tree countless times, cursing himself for being a scoundrel.

From now on, he would listen to whatever his elder sister said.

“It’s a long story.” Xu Fang began to speak softly.

Previously she hadn’t dared tell her brother that secret, fearing his impulsiveness might reveal something and harm them both.

But now, her brother was gradually maturing. At the very least, he should understand who had shown kindness to them as siblings.

When Xu Fang finished speaking, she smiled gently: “Now you know. Miss Luo is a warm-hearted and kind person. From now on, you must not call her a female demon anymore—”

Before she could finish speaking, Xu Xi suddenly stood up.

Xu Fang was startled: “What’s wrong?”

Xu Xi bolted toward the back courtyard.

At that moment, Wei Han and Luo Sheng were admiring the persimmon tree laden with heavy fruit.

The man appeared to be observing the persimmon tree, though his peripheral vision actually remained fixed on the young woman.

The frost had descended.

The persimmons were ready to be picked. If he were to speak his feelings… might he also have a harvest?

Wei Han silently mustered his courage and looked toward the young woman beside him.

The youth charged over like a whirlwind. Had Wei Han not kicked out in time, he would have nearly crashed into Luo Sheng.

“What’s the matter?” Luo Sheng looked calmly at Xu Xi.

Xu Xi’s eyes reddened, unable to contain his excitement: “Miss Luo, I misunderstood you! You’ve been so good to me!”

Wei Han stared at him fixedly.

Luo Sheng sighed helplessly: “Understood. Go back to the main hall and keep your sister company for tea.”

Though her little nephew had made progress, his straightforward nature remained unchanged.

However, this was no great flaw. As he grew older and became more steady, that would be sufficient.

Having received these words from Luo Sheng, the youth ran off like another gust of wind.

Wei Han withdrew his gaze and suggested calmly: “Miss Luo, I see that Xu Xi has become quite proficient at chopping firewood. Continuing to chop firewood all day serves little purpose. If you don’t object, why not let him join my personal guard to gain some experience?”

The firewood-chopping lad had actually discovered Miss Luo’s kindness and could even spend all his time with Miss Luo—Wei Han didn’t consider himself petty, but this discovery truly didn’t please him much.

Luo Sheng was somewhat moved by this suggestion.

Xu Xi currently had only brute strength. If he went to train under Prince Kaiyang, he might actually be refined into talent.

Seeing Luo Sheng deep in thought, Wei Han didn’t disturb her, absentmindedly gazing at the persimmon tree.

After pondering for a moment, Luo Sheng spoke: “Your Highness’s suggestion is quite good, but we should still ask Xu Xi’s thoughts first.”

Wei Han raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Miss Luo still wanted to ask Xu Xi’s opinion?

She was more considerate than he had imagined…

After all, in his impression, Miss Luo showed no mercy when dealing with the firewood-chopping lad.

Seeing Wei Han reveal surprise, Luo Sheng casually explained: “I had him chop firewood because he truly was improper before. Now that he’s matured, as for what path he takes in the future, which road he walks—that’s still for him to decide, or to discuss with his elder sister.”

As his young aunt, she had done what she should. From now on, whether it was Xu Fang or Xu Xi, they could only walk their own life paths.

Moreover, the road she was to walk might be a dead end—having less entanglement with them was better.

“Miss Luo cares quite a bit about that child.” Wei Han would never admit he deliberately used that term for Xu Xi.

Luo Sheng smiled: “After all, I bought him back. I must take responsibility for him.”

Wei Han: “…”

Silently calming his emotions, Wei Han smiled: “In that case, Miss Luo, ask him when you return. If he’s willing, tell me anytime.”

“I’ll thank Your Highness on his behalf first.”

Wei Han furrowed his brow slightly, a thought arising: Could it be that being bought by Miss Luo meant being regarded as one of her own people and receiving devoted care and attention?

Thinking about the firewood-chopping youth, then thinking about the big white goose with its dedicated caretaker, Wei Han felt he wasn’t mistaken.

This discovery made him sigh silently.

With his status… it really wasn’t convenient to be bought by Miss Luo.

As this thought emerged, Wei Han’s expression turned serious.

He couldn’t harbor such opportunistic ideas. What he wanted wasn’t merely Miss Luo’s care and attention.

What he wanted was to rightfully care for and attend to Miss Luo.

Wei Han clarified his intentions, his gaze gradually becoming resolute.

The persimmon tree before him blazed red like fire, just like Wei Han’s ardent feelings at this moment.

He hadn’t understood before what it meant to always want to see a certain young woman. Now he understood.

He wanted to marry this young woman and bring her home, to see her whenever he wished, instead of having to come to the tavern to see her.

Right—having figured it out, even with the complimentary dishes for tavern patrons, ultimately he was still just a patron.

He no longer wanted to be merely a patron.

The persimmon tree seemed to sense Wei Han’s current feelings. Its branches quietly ceased swaying, as if afraid of interrupting his courage.

And Luo Sheng also sensed the peculiarity in the atmosphere.

She turned her head to glance at the man beside her admiring the persimmon tree, asking calmly: “Would Your Highness like to go to the main hall for some tea?”

This atmosphere made her somewhat uneasy.

Wei Han looked at Luo Sheng, his expression serious: “Miss Luo, do you remember when I said we should come look at the persimmon tree again when the frost descended?”

“I remember. We’ve looked now. Won’t Your Highness go drink tea?”

“I don’t want tea right now.” He gazed at the young woman so close at hand, asking softly, “I want to ask Miss Luo if she’s willing to grow old together with me.”