That night passed peacefully and quietly.

Grand Marshal Luo couldn’t sleep the entire night, pondering many matters.

Luo Sheng, however, slept soundly.

In her view, what she could do, she would do with all her effort. What she couldn’t do, she would entrust to those worthy of her trust.

The next day dawned. After washing up and having breakfast, Luo Sheng instructed Hong Dou to summon Mingzhu and the others.

In the courtyard, flowers and trees bathed in brilliant spring light while sparrows chirped merrily on the branches.

Mingzhu, Fuxue, Lingxiao, Feiyang.

Four beautiful young men of varying styles stood in a row before Luo Sheng, a particularly pleasing sight.

Oh, besides the four young men, there was also a large white goose half as tall as a person nestled beside Fuxue.

During Luo Sheng’s silence, Mingzhu asked softly: “Did Miss summon us for something?”

His eyes held light, sparkling with anticipation.

Luo Sheng’s gaze swept over the four of them as she smiled. “I called you here today because there’s something I need to say.”

Except for Fuxue, the other three sensed something unusual, an uneasy feeling welling up in their hearts.

They stared unblinkingly at Luo Sheng, waiting for her to continue.

“Yesterday I quarreled with Princess Changle and severed our friendship.” The young woman’s lips curved in a careless smile, but her words struck the several people like a thunderbolt. “Since we’ve severed ties, naturally it wouldn’t be appropriate to keep the gifts Princess Changle gave me.”

Fuxue blinked, not immediately grasping Luo Sheng’s meaning. The other three, however, all changed expressions in unison, especially Mingzhu, whose already fair face grew even paler.

“Mingzhu, Lingxiao, Feiyang—you were all gifts from Princess Changle to me. Go back to your rooms and pack up. I’ll arrange for someone to send you back to the Princess’s Manor.”

“Miss!” Lingxiao directly knelt down, his voice trembling. “Please let this humble servant stay. I promise I won’t cause you any trouble…”

Looking at the young man kneeling in supplication, Luo Sheng sighed inwardly.

For someone like Lingxiao who only sought a place to shelter, it wasn’t that she couldn’t accommodate him. But the Luo household would soon be fleeing the capital—it was impossible to take him along.

“Get up. I won’t change my decision.”

Luo Sheng’s calm coldness left the kneeling young man speechless, only able to look up with tears streaming down his face.

Mingzhu asked softly: “Miss truly intends to send us back?”

Luo Sheng glanced at him without making a sound, only nodding slightly.

Mingzhu’s eyelids trembled slightly as a bitter smile escaped the corners of his mouth.

He had thought being confined to a small courtyard for the rest of his life would be his fate, never imagining there could be something worse.

Only Feiyang’s eyes flashed with delight, unable to contain his joy.

Wonderful! He could finally return to the Princess’s side!

“Hong Dou, arrange for someone to send them to the Princess’s Manor.”

“Yes!” Hong Dou responded crisply and urged the three: “You three should go pack quickly and don’t upset Miss.”

Seeing Luo Sheng rise and walk toward the door, Fuxue finally awoke as if from a dream and chased after her, grasping her sleeve and pleading: “Miss, please let Brother Mingzhu stay. Brother Mingzhu really likes you—”

“Fuxue!” Mingzhu interrupted Fuxue’s words.

Fuxue looked back at him, at a loss.

Mingzhu forced a smile. “Don’t make Miss angry. I’m just returning to the Princess’s Manor, it’s not like we’ll never see each other again.”

“But the Princess is very fierce…” Fuxue couldn’t help crying.

He wasn’t from the Princess’s Manor, but when Princess Changle came to the tavern, he found her terrifying. Though Brother Lingxiao never mentioned anything bad about the Princess, he clearly very much enjoyed life at the Grand Marshal’s residence.

If that Princess were truly good, how could this be?

Seeing Fuxue cry, Big White stretched out its neck and honked loudly at Luo Sheng.

Luo Sheng frowned and shot Big White a glance.

“Honk!” Big White tucked its wings tightly and ran all the way to the moon gate before stopping.

Luo Sheng rubbed Fuxue’s head, her tone cryptic. “Fuxue is a good child. Take Big White to the tavern early.”

Hong Dou added: “That’s right. Didn’t Sanhuo and Sihuo still need to teach you stance training? Let me tell you, frail weaklings can’t follow Miss around. Study hard so you can grow strong sooner.”

Being forced to leave the Grand Marshal’s residence was already painful enough for Mingzhu; hearing these words made him feel even worse.

A male companion who grows strong… by that time, Fuxue would probably also be returned.

Luo Sheng returned to her room and didn’t appear again until after Mingzhu and the other two had left.

When Luo Yue heard about this matter, she hurriedly sent Luqi onto the carriage as well.

In Fourth Miss’s words, Luqi was a gift from Princess Changle. Since Third Sister had severed ties with Princess Changle, naturally she couldn’t keep the Princess’s gift either.

When Grand Marshal Luo heard that both his daughters had sent away their male companions, even in his precarious situation, he couldn’t help feeling greatly gratified.

Good that they were sent away! If they could successfully escape to the south, wouldn’t his daughters appear as normal young ladies in others’ eyes? Perhaps they might even marry.

Princess Changle, upon receiving a carriage full of male companions, laughed coldly in anger.

Luo Sheng truly dared to do anything and feared nothing, even bringing their falling out into the open.

Just looking at this point, she was the same as before. She would like to see what expression Luo Sheng would have when the decree summoning her to enter the palace as a consort was issued.

“Your Highness, how should we arrange for these four men?” her trusted nanny asked.

Princess Changle glanced at her and said indifferently: “Find some courtyard and confine them there for now. Don’t let them offend my eyes.”

When her mood improved, she would question the four about the situation at the Luo residence.

The spring light was splendid. The streets and alleys of the capital were lively and peaceful. The distant flames of war had not yet brought much change to people’s lives, nor had the nearby undercurrents been perceived by those busy with their livelihoods or pleasures.

This was a rest day.

For a prestigious office like the Hanlin Academy, colleagues would gather even more for small gatherings to pass the time.

The Youjian Tavern was out of the question—no money. Fortunately, there were plenty of places where one could drink heartily. Su Yao and several colleagues ate and drank from noon until evening before finally dispersing.

At this time, the setting sun was about to fall, a gentle breeze blowing. Su Yao walked along the street without any sign of intoxication.

On the contrary, his eyes were clear and bright, completely sober.

When drinking with others, he would also put on an appearance of having low alcohol tolerance, but no one knew that he rarely got drunk.

It was simply that he didn’t want to seem so different. He understood too well how to blend into a group.

Su Yao walked toward home披着余晖, bathed in the remaining glow of sunset, a hint of smugness welling up in his heart: Once you see through it, you realize people are just this uninteresting. As long as he wanted something, he always got his wish.

Severe pain suddenly struck. The just-now-smug Compiler Su’s vision went black and he lost consciousness.

Xianyun Courtyard was brightly lit, appearing no different from any ordinary night. In Luo Sheng’s room, however, there was an additional “distinguished guest.”

Looking down from a superior position at the man lying on the floor, Luo Sheng’s lips curved in a faint smile.

Since they were about to leave, she ought to bid farewell to this “old friend.” If she could also find out what role he played before Princess Changle, that would be a bonus.

Luo Sheng pulled over a chair and sat down beside Su Yao, lifting her foot to kick him. “Wake up already.”

Su Yao’s head throbbed as if it would split. Dimly hearing someone calling him, he struggled to open his eyes.

What met his gaze was a beautiful, indifferent face that appeared to hold no emotion whatsoever.