In the main hall besides Luo Sheng, there were also Hong Dou and Kou’er munching on melon seeds, as well as the female proprietor organizing account books.

Wei Han smiled and extended an invitation: “Miss Luo, would you like to go look at the persimmon tree in the courtyard?”

Luo Sheng readily nodded: “Alright.”

Prince Kaiyang coming over this early, nine times out of ten he had something on his mind.

The two went together to the rear courtyard.

The persimmon tree in the courtyard was bare and stiff. Without snow’s adornment, it was plainly ugly.

The two didn’t mind, standing beside the tree in silence for a moment before Luo Sheng spoke first: “Your Highness came so early—is there something you need?”

From the teahouse to the wine house, Wei Han had been pondering how to broach the subject. But when he met those clear, tranquil eyes, all those chaotic thoughts were instantly forgotten.

He honestly asked: “Miss Luo, if I were to propose marriage to your father, would you be willing?”

The smile at the corner of Luo Sheng’s lips froze as she frowned at him: “Propose to my father?”

For an instant, she was somewhat uncertain—after all, this man before her had given her several instances of thinking she was being presumptuous.

Fortunately, right under this persimmon tree, he had once proposed to her a pledge to grow old together.

This gave Luo Sheng more confidence as she said calmly: “I remember I made it very clear to Your Highness that time.”

The anticipation hidden deep in the man’s eyes quietly extinguished. Gazing at those coolly composed eyes, he said softly: “So I’m asking again.”

Although he knew Miss Luo wasn’t someone who heeded her parents’ commands, when it came to matters he thought about day and night, he too would harbor a thread of hope like many others.

Luo Sheng looked away, staring at the persimmon tree’s bare branches: “I think being friends with Your Highness is most suitable.”

She paused, ignoring the discomfort in her heart, and said indifferently: “If Your Highness cannot let it go, then we should maintain some distance.”

A flash of helplessness crossed Wei Han’s eyes as he pressed his lips together tightly.

He and Miss Luo would soon be worlds apart—maintaining distance was achievable.

What he couldn’t do was let go.

He didn’t want to let go of the woman in his heart, even if this was Miss Luo’s request.

“I understand. Miss Luo can rest assured.” Wei Han curved his lips upward.

A faint, gentle smile that made everything appear normal.

“Does Your Highness have other matters?” Luo Sheng asked.

“Nothing else. I have an appointment with someone, so I’ll leave first.”

“Then safe travels, Your Highness.”

Wei Han waited a moment. Not seeing any intention from Luo Sheng to see him off, he smiled: “Miss Luo, see you later.”

He had originally wanted to tell Miss Luo about his departure for campaign, but having spoken about the marriage proposal first, bringing it up now would inevitably seem like he was seeking sympathy.

Better not to mention it. He would tell her tonight when he came to drink.

Wei Han walked toward the door leading from the rear courtyard to the main hall. Reaching the doorway, he lifted the thick cotton door curtain and couldn’t help but look back.

The area by the persimmon tree was empty and desolate—that familiar figure had vanished without him noticing when.

Wei Han stopped at the doorway. After a moment, he walked into the main hall as if nothing had happened.

In the main hall, Shi Yan, quite experienced, had concealed his eavesdropping and came forward to ask cautiously: “Master, you’re leaving already?”

Though he couldn’t hear what his master and Miss Luo had said, from the looks of it, he’d been hurt by Miss Luo again.

How strange—aside from eating a bit more, his master had no flaws, so why couldn’t Miss Luo take a liking to him?

Wei Han paid no attention to Shi Yan and strode out with large steps.

Grand Commandant Luo was still waiting in the teahouse. Hearing footsteps outside the door, he hastily adopted a stern expression as he waited.

Wei Han pushed the door open and entered. His face showed no abnormality as he walked over and sat down.

“Your Highness spoke with my daughter?”

“We spoke.” Wei Han lowered his eyes to stare at the table surface.

The cup of tea left behind when he departed still sat there quietly, as if its owner had never left.

“Miss Luo is unwilling.”

“Sheng’er is unwilling?” Hearing this, Grand Commandant Luo was somewhat surprised instead.

During the time Prince Kaiyang was gone, he had pondered at length, always feeling his daughter wasn’t entirely indifferent toward Prince Kaiyang.

Could it be she felt that after marrying, she couldn’t keep male companions anymore?

Thinking of this possibility, Grand Commandant Luo’s head ached.

No matter how much he doted on his daughter, he couldn’t do something like having her take a group of male companions as dowry when she married.

That would really be too excessive.

Normally, if she was unwilling, then so be it. Though he very much wanted to marry off his daughter, he didn’t want to go against her wishes. But His Majesty had stuck his foot in…

Grand Commandant Luo’s head ached even more, feeling the frustration of being deeply mired in mud.

Perceiving Grand Commandant Luo’s difficulty, Wei Han understood and asked thoughtfully: “The matter the Grand Commandant brought up… was it His Majesty’s idea?”

Grand Commandant Luo’s eyes contracted.

Wei Han picked up the cold tea and took a sip, then set down the cup and stood up: “Grand Commandant needn’t feel troubled. I’ll go speak with Imperial Brother.”

“Your Highness—” Grand Commandant Luo also stood up, momentarily at a loss for words.

Wei Han smiled slightly: “Marriage should be mutually willing. I’ll go explain things clearly to Imperial Brother. Grand Commandant needn’t worry.”

Wei Han’s breezy nonchalance left Grand Commandant Luo somewhat bewildered.

Mutually willing? It sounded somewhat off, but he couldn’t immediately figure out what was wrong.

“Today’s matter—the Grand Commandant need not mention it to Miss Luo.” After Wei Han finished speaking, he strode away.

It took Grand Commandant Luo quite a while to come to his senses.

Marriage had never been about mutual willingness—it all relied on parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words. Going to speak to His Majesty this way, wouldn’t Prince Kaiyang get scolded?

How Prince Kaiyang spoke to His Majesty, Grand Commandant Luo had no way of knowing. Whether Prince Kaiyang was scolded, Grand Commandant Luo also had no way of knowing.

But since Prince Kaiyang was willing to take on this matter, this calamity was averted.

Thinking of that unpredictable, ruthless Emperor, Grand Commandant Luo’s heart sank, as if an invisible stone had been placed upon it.

After entering the palace again to resolve Grand Commandant Luo’s trouble, walking out of the magnificent and solemn imperial city, the setting sun had already dyed the clouds at the horizon blue-red.

Wei Han went directly to Youjian Wine House. In the main hall, that familiar figure was nowhere to be seen.

Before he could ask, Shi Yan said: “Master, Miss Luo has returned to her manor.”

Returning to the manor at this hour?

Wei Han momentarily thought he had the time wrong, then slowly realized: was Miss Luo avoiding him?

This thought was confirmed when he met the young attendant’s sympathetic gaze.

Wei Han gently curved the corner of his lips, walked to the window and sat down, ordering: “Bring wine.”

Shi Yan quickly brought over two large jars of spirits.

Wei Han paused briefly, then said lightly: “Two pots will be enough.”

Miss Luo was avoiding him. If word spread that he was drowning his sorrows in drink, it would be unseemly instead.

“Master, won’t two pots not be enough?”

“It’s enough.”

Shi Yan sighed and carried the two wine jars away.

Wei Han drank wine and ate dishes with his usual expression, then quietly left the wine house. The next day when he came to the wine house again, Miss Luo was still nowhere to be seen.

Several days later, Wei Han led the army out of the city. Emperor Yong’an led the hundred officials to see them off, and the city’s common people swarmed to the streets to watch the spectacle.

This time, the common people watching wore solemn expressions, and the atmosphere was somewhat grave.

Wei Han rode a white horse at the very front. When the procession reached the city gate, he finally couldn’t help but rein in his horse and look back.