“What are you here for?” Li Wu’s face darkened. “Where is Zhao Guangzhi?!”

“Sir, I’m right here…”

The minor civil official who had once escorted Shen Zhuxi in hurried forward.

“Did Wang Shiyong have permission from a superior to enter the official quarters?”

“N-no…”

“Then who gave you the audacity to let an outsider walk freely into a government office? If something had gone missing, if information had been leaked — could you have borne that responsibility?!” Li Wu’s voice was sharp with fury.

“I know I was wrong…” The official hastily bowed his head in apology.

The once-lively premises fell into dead silence.

No matter how skilled Wang Shiyong was at keeping her composure, she could not maintain her smile now.

She stood at the doorway, her face drained of color.

Chunguǒ burst out indignantly, “Our Miss is the daughter of the Prefect of Xuzhou — surely she would do nothing to harm Xuzhou?!”

“She may be the prefect’s daughter — but you certainly aren’t.”

“You—” Chunguǒ’s face went red with anger.

Li Wu said coldly, “Whether or not someone intends to steal information is none of my concern. My duty is to protect the confidential matters within this office. Zhao Guangzhi—”

“Sir—”

“You have violated the office’s regulations. Under normal circumstances, you should be severely punished. Considering this is your first offense, I’ll let it go this time — but if there is a next time—” Li Wu’s expression turned ice-cold. “I will show absolutely no mercy.”

“Understood…”

The official, drenched in sweat, bowed deeply and then slunk away from the scene, tail between his legs.

“What are you all still standing around for? Waiting for me to treat you to drinks?” Li Wu swept a cold gaze over his now-silent soldiers. With a sharp word, they scattered like startled birds in every direction.

“Miss Wang, this is not a place for you to be.” Li Wu said in a low, stern voice.

Wang Shiyong descended the steps and stopped three paces from him, speaking softly:

“Centurion Li’s lesson is well-taken. It was Shiyong who was thoughtless and didn’t consider the matter carefully enough. I will take greater care in the future. I also ask that, since this is my first offense, you forgive me this once.”

She lowered herself into a curtsy.

Any man with even the slightest inclination toward courtesy would not have continued to glare at a passably beautiful young woman who had already shown such deference.

Li Wu was not a normal man. He said with undisguised impatience:

“Say what you came to say.”

“The Dragon Boat Festival is nearly upon us. I brought longevity cords for all three garrisons in Pengcheng County — a token of gratitude for your long protection of Xuzhou’s people and their peace.”

Wang Shiyong reached into her garments, produced a brightly colored longevity cord, paused for a moment, then held it out.

“…This one is for Centurion Li.”

Li Wu did not take it. He stood looking at the longevity cord in her hand for a moment, then said, “Not as well-made as my wife’s.”

“You—” Chunguǒ erupted in fury.

“These were commissioned from embroiderers outside — naturally, their skill cannot compare to that of Centurion Li’s wife.” Wang Shiyong smiled, cutting off Chunguǒ mid-sentence.

“My wife has already prepared longevity cords for me — more than enough, I could wear a different one every day and never run out.” Li Wu said dismissively. “I won’t be accepting yours.”

“…Very well.” Wang Shiyong forced a smile. “Li Furen is indeed thoughtful — she prepared longevity cords so early and so thoroughly. It is Shiyong who has come too late.”

“Coming early would have made no difference,” said Li Wu. “I have other matters to attend to — I won’t see you out. You may see yourself out.”

Wang Shiyong stood rooted in place, watching as Li Wu strode straight back into the government office — not a single pause, not a single glance back.

She was the beloved daughter of his superior.

She had beauty, family standing, and education. Would any ordinary man treat her with such cold indifference, clearly wanting nothing to do with her?

Only he was like this.

“Miss…” Chunguǒ looked at the longevity cord in her hand — clearly more finely and carefully made than any of the ones the soldiers had received.

“Back to the carriage.”

Wang Shiyong showed no outward reaction. She turned and walked out of the garrison office.

Once outside the garrison gate, she boarded the carriage. The moment the door closed, her palm shot out and struck Chunguǒ — who stepped in just one beat behind her — across the face.

Chunguǒ, though entirely innocent, dared not argue. She dropped to her knees at once.

A longevity cord was flung down in front of her, and from above came Wang Shiyong’s icy voice: “Cut it.”

Trembling, Chunguǒ picked up the scissors. She hesitated, her uncertain gaze drifting toward Wang Shiyong, who had already seated herself.

“What are you staring at?” Wang Shiyong’s expression was glacial.

Chunguǒ steeled herself and brought the scissors down on the longevity cord Wang Shiyong had spent an entire day weaving with her own hands.

Snip, snip, snip — the cord was cut apart, and strands of colored silk scattered across the floor.

“I don’t understand,” Wang Shiyong said.

Chunguǒ stopped and looked up at her. Wang Shiyong was not looking at her. Her gaze was fixed on some distant point in the air, her expression bewildered — as if speaking to herself.

“Chunguǒ, am I not beautiful?” she said.

“Miss, your beauty is second to none in all of Xuzhou — to say nothing of your distinguished status—” Chunguǒ said hurriedly. “That Li surname is the one who doesn’t know what’s good for him!”

“Yesterday I passed by the garden and heard Father speak of Li Wu — he said the man has some genuine ability.” Wang Shiyong said.

“An orphan and beggar who’s nothing more than slightly cleverer than most people,” Chunguǒ said with disdain.

“Do you know who the last person Father praised in the same way was?” Wang Shiyong said quietly. “It was Fu Xuanmiao — the Prime Minister’s only son, known throughout the realm as the foremost gentleman under heaven.”

Chunguǒ had no answer to that.

“The soldiers in the Pengcheng garrison are all from military families going back generations — a tough, weathered lot who are notoriously hard to move. Yet they are completely won over by Li Wu: willing to follow his commands, willing to lay down their lives for him. In less than two months since taking his post, Li Wu has accomplished what several previous centurions could not. He is responsible, loyal, both courageous and resourceful. He is devoted to his wife — he has taken no concubines, and has never set foot in any pleasure house.”

Wang Shiyong murmured to herself:

“A man like that… why does he look upon me with nothing but contempt? Chunguǒ… am I truly ruined?”

“Miss, you must never say such things!”

Wang Shiyong tightened her right hand. Her slender nails pressed deeply into her palm.

She opened her hand and looked at the red marks in her palm. In a low voice, she said:

“I will not give up.”

“You also received a longevity cord?” Li Wu frowned, looking at the two brothers before him.

Li Kun grinned and opened his palm to reveal a brightly colored longevity cord. “Pretty… going to give it to someone…”

“Give it to no one!” Li Wu reached out. “Hand it over!”

“I won’t! If you want yours, go get it from her yourself!” Li Kun pouted and clutched the longevity cord behind his back.

“Hand it over, and I’ll find you an even better-looking one,” said Li Wu.

“Really?”

“Really.” Li Wu said without hesitation.

Li Kun thought it over, then placed the longevity cord in Li Wu’s hand.

Li Wu looked toward Li Que. Without being asked, Li Que took out his longevity cord and handed it over.

“Mine… where’s my better-looking one?” Li Kun asked eagerly.

“Come get it tomorrow.”

“You’re lying!” Li Kun cried.

“When have I ever lied to you?” Li Wu took one step toward him. “Keep it up, and I’ll personally escort you out—”

Li Kun yelped and ran off.

“Is there anything else, big brother?” Li Que asked.

“Those lazy fellows are all in high spirits from receiving longevity cords — full of energy with nowhere to put it.” Li Wu said coldly. “You go gather them up and run three rounds of sparring drills. Anyone who still looks fresh and untouched when it’s over doesn’t get to eat dinner.”

Li Que received his orders and turned to walk toward the door.

Li Wu tucked the two market-bought longevity cords into his front, and left the garrison.

He returned home, and the moment he stepped through the courtyard gate, he called out in a carrying voice:

“Shen Zhuxi! Shen Dumb-melon! You mad woman!”

Before long, Shen Zhuxi’s figure appeared in the courtyard.

“I haven’t done anything to you — why are you yelling at me!” Shen Zhuxi puffed out her cheeks, looking thoroughly aggrieved.

“Who says you haven’t?” Li Wu strode into the reception hall and dropped into a chair by the round table. “Come here!”

“What for?” Shen Zhuxi followed him inside.

“Where’s Dì Niang?”

Before Li Wu had finished the words, Dì Niang’s head appeared from beneath the covered walkway. “Master Li, you called for me?”

“Go find me a pair of scissors and some colored silk thread — I need them now.” said Li Wu.

“Right away!” Dì Niang nodded and immediately dashed off.

“What do you need those things for?” Shen Zhuxi asked curiously.

“To make longevity cords! Confound it all — making longevity cords for every last one of you! The Dragon Boat Festival is almost here, and everyone has a longevity cord but me — in fact, not only do I not have one, I’m the one who has to make longevity cords for other people! What in the world did I do to deserve this?!” Li Wu slapped his sturdy thigh.

Dì Niang was swift and deft — she found the scissors and thread and came running back.

“Master Li, are you looking to make longevity cords?” Dì Niang asked.

In an instant, Li Wu straightened up his expression and his posture, lifting his chin with an air of pride, and gave Shen Zhuxi a pointed nod. “Not me — she’s going to make them for me.”

Shen Zhuxi: ?

“The Mistress can make longevity cords! How talented and clever!” Dì Niang said admiringly. “Mistress, if you ever have spare time, could you teach me?”

“I… I’m not very good at it either…” Shen Zhuxi said with an awkward laugh.

“Knowing how is already better than me! Better than me by far—” Dì Niang looked at her with sparkling eyes, pleading earnestly, “Please, Mistress?”

Pursued by such imploring, Shen Zhuxi had no choice but to give a vague assent.

Dì Niang, having gotten what she wanted, flitted out of the reception hall like a happy little swallow.

“You’ve put me in a difficult position — how am I supposed to teach her now?” Shen Zhuxi said with reproach.

“Then what was I supposed to say?” Li Wu showed not the slightest remorse. “Tell her the clothes around the house are mended by me, and now the longevity cords are also braided by me? If that got out, how would I ever show my face again?”

“I wouldn’t laugh at you…” Shen Zhuxi muttered. “Your needlework is so good — you’re far more talented at it than I am.”

One moment he had thought embroidery was beneath his dignity; the next, Li Wu was puffing out his chest with pride.

“Of course — do you know who you’re dealing with?”

Shen Zhuxi: …

How could one man be so changeable?

Li Wu picked up the scissors, took out the two pre-braided longevity cords, and began unraveling them. Before long, the round table was covered in a spread of colored silk threads.

After taking apart both cords, a hint of confidence returned to Li Wu’s face.

“Did you follow that?” he suddenly asked Shen Zhuxi.

“Follow what?” Shen Zhuxi looked completely lost.

“The way I just took those apart — did you get a clear look at how it was done?”

“I watched…”

“Take it apart the same way you put it back together. Do you understand? Walk me through the steps.”

Shen Zhuxi tried to recall the bewildering process she had just witnessed, twisting her hands together with uncertain hesitation.

“It’s just… going around like this and weaving it through?”

In response, she received one long, drawn-out sigh.

Li Wu lowered his head and, resigning himself to fate, began braiding all four longevity cords.

The next day, Li Que received a longevity cord delivered by Li Wu — as did Li Kun.

The longevity cords Li Wu had made were incomparably better than anything sold in the market. Li Que had wanted to wear his openly, but considering that Li Wu had only just sent Wang Shiyong away in disgrace the day before, Li Que ultimately tucked it underneath his outer robe.

That way it would bring good fortune, yet draw no attention.

After considerable effort, he finally convinced Li Kun to tuck his longevity cord inside his outer robe as well. The moment he stepped into the garrison, he heard Li Wu’s smug, self-satisfied voice:

“…Much better than yesterday’s, wouldn’t you say? My wife made this one with her own hands!”