As the saying goes, stealing half a day of leisure in this floating life.

However, Shu Shenhui ultimately abandoned his “stolen” few days of “leisure” that he had yet to finish. On that night of torrential rain, unable to wait for the rain to lighten, he set out on the road to Jiangdu.

His hand that had blocked the sword was later repackaged by Liu Xiang. Although the bleeding had stopped, the wound throbbed with bursts of pain. Just like his heart.

After setting out, he remained completely immersed in the emotions brought by last night’s events, unable to extricate himself.

What did she say to the monk every time she sought him out? Only in his presence could she find peace of mind and sleep soundly.

She had knelt before him for someone else’s sake, even making the resolute gesture of cutting her hair!

Yet even after all this, if she had just come up and hypocritically asked whether his hand hurt, he might still have retained one last thread of feeling for her.

But now, nothing remained!

So be it, she could return to Yanmen.

Those words were spoken not only to her in the end, but also to himself.

He was tormented by these emotions – sometimes angry, sometimes dejected, sometimes regretful, sometimes disdainful. Finally, he felt his heart had completely turned cold. It was only several days later, when he entered Jiangdu, that his attention was finally able to shift as he began attending to his affairs.

The blessed geography and resources of Huaiyang have made it a prosperous land since ancient times. Now it was fortunate enough to become the first stop of the current Regent Prince’s southern tour. According to reports from ahead, his entourage would arrive in a few days. For some time now, local prefects, governors, and county officials had been busily preparing for the imperial reception. Little did they know that the Regent Prince himself had already separated from the main group and arrived incognito.

Shu Shenhui slowed his pace and, as before, went down to inspect agricultural cultivation in various counties along the way.

On this day, he passed through Yongxing County during his journey.

Liu Xiang had in hand a local gazetteer of various prefectures and counties along the southern tour route. He said Yongxing County had fewer than ten thousand households, was far from the main road, remote in location, and would require half a day’s ride to reach. He asked whether they should skip it.

Sitting on horseback, Shu Shenhui gazed toward the county’s direction and suddenly seemed to remember something. He asked, “Is the county magistrate named Gao Qingyuan?”

Liu Xiang glanced at the record, startled, then looked up and said, “Indeed so.”

“How would Your Highness know this?” he couldn’t help asking.

Shu Shenhui didn’t answer, only saying, “Let’s go take a look.”

Since he had spoken, no matter how far the road, Liu Xiang would follow. Departing in the morning, they reached a village leading to the county seat in the afternoon. Leaving the rest of their escort and mounts on the road, Shu Shenhui and Liu Xiang entered the village. They saw azure rice fields where farmers were busy with plowing and farming. However, it had rained yesterday, leaving the village roads muddy and impassable, with nowhere to set foot.

Shu Shenhui walked forward on the muddy path with Liu Xiang following behind. In moments, both men’s feet were covered in filth. Passing a rice field, they came to a riverbank ahead. Liu Xiang saw him stop and look around for a moment, then suddenly walk toward the riverbank.

Thinking the Regent Prince wanted to wash his shoes, he followed. But unexpectedly, he only stopped by the river’s edge, raised his eyes, and gazed ahead.

Liu Xiang followed his gaze and looked over.

The river was wide, with the broadest section ahead spanning twenty to thirty zhang across. Along both long banks were traces of dredging sand and silt to clear the waterway and constructing long embankments. But for some reason, the river embankment seemed half-built before stopping. Bamboo rafts, sand, silt, stone rhinoceros, and other materials were piled along the shore. The riverside was empty with no one in sight.

Though Liu Xiang had little understanding of water conservancy and agriculture, he could see that the local terrain was low-lying. It was manageable now, but come flood season, when upstream waters descended, this area would likely face riverbank overflow and agricultural field flooding.

A white-haired old farmer carrying water buckets came along, stopped by the river’s edge, dipped his buckets full of water, and lifted them to shore. Unexpectedly, the bank mud was soft and couldn’t support his weight. Being barefoot and slippery, he couldn’t stand steady. The water buckets pulled him down, and he was about to fall into the river when a hand suddenly reached from behind and pulled him back.

After pulling the man to safety, Liu Xiang also extended his hand, grabbed the old farmer’s two water buckets in one motion, carried them up the bank, and set them down.

The old farmer steadied himself, his shock subsiding. Seeing a dark-faced man with an unfamiliar face had helped him, with a young man standing nearby greeting him: “Elder, were you frightened?”

This young man wore an azure bamboo hat and half-new, half-old clothing, looking like a scholar from the county seat. The farmer couldn’t help feeling constrained and quickly bowed to both men: “This old one is unharmed. Many thanks to both gentlemen for your help!”

Shu Shenhui nodded with a smile and asked, “May I ask, elder, how have the harvests been locally these past two years? What percentage of government taxes? Can life still be managed?”

The dark-faced man looked like a farmer, but this scholar spoke with an accent not from the local area, using official dialect and asking such questions. The old farmer couldn’t help showing a look of suspicion.

Shu Shenhui smiled and said, “We two are from outside, passing through by chance today. We’ve long heard that Huaiyang is the richest under heaven, so we came seeking livelihood, to see if we could settle here.”

Seeing his gentle smile, the old farmer dropped his guard: “Young master asks about this – these past years, the government hasn’t increased taxes. Tight as it is, difficult as it may be, we still manage to get by. What we fear is that Heaven is not letting people live in peace. Last year, the county flooded once, and the harvest was only seventy to eighty percent of a good year. After paying official grain, the whole family tightened their belts and borrowed grain to get through. We just hope this year Heaven opens its eyes and doesn’t flood or bring disaster.” Finishing, he glanced worriedly at the nearby river surface.

Shu Shenhui pointed to the incomplete embankment not far away: “What’s the story there? It looks like it was half-built then abandoned?”

The old farmer followed his pointing finger, turned to look, and grew even more worried, sighing: “Don’t mention it. Because of this, the county magistrate offended his superiors and brought trouble on himself. Don’t know how he’s doing now.”

Shu Shenhui said, “Elder, could you explain in more detail?”

The old farmer seemed frightened again, looked around, shook his hands, saying only that he needed to go water his furrows. He shouldered his load and hurried away.

Shu Shenhui watched the old farmer’s hurried departing figure, turned to Liu Xiang, and told him to find someone to inquire about the details. Liu Xiang went off.

Though he also spoke with an outside accent, with his coarse build and dark complexion similar to farmers, he accomplished his purpose without much effort.

This county had low-lying terrain. During August and September, when southeastern typhoons passed through, it often suffered floods. But being remote with few households, it was inconspicuous among the many counties under Jiangdu’s jurisdiction, a lower county that the authorities had never paid much attention to. The local magistrate, Gao Qingyuan, had arrived three years ago and was a man of action. Seeing that the waterway hadn’t been dredged for years and the embankments were in disrepair, becoming useless when floods came, he requested state funding shortly after taking office to dredge waterways and build dams.

Each year there was related budget was allocated by the Ministry of Works, but Prefecture Governor Jiang Zheng kept delaying, saying other places were more urgent, never approving the request. After waiting over two years, Gao Qingyuan knew there was no hope. Wanting to solve this problem for the locals before leaving office, he organized county residents to raise funds and take turns working. The county people had long suffered from the waterway problems, so with the magistrate leading, they naturally responded enthusiastically. After dredging the waterway, Gao Qingyuan brought in hydraulic engineers to survey the terrain and build embankments. But half a month ago, a stop-work order suddenly came from above, saying that building weirs here would damage the feng shui of the downstream neighboring county, which had filed complaints. The truth was that Jiang Zheng had heard some outside criticism about him and believed Gao Qingyuan had spread it. Moreover, Gao had bypassed him to organize county residents to build embankments themselves – wasn’t this slapping his face? Harboring resentment, he found an excuse to order a work stoppage.

It was said that day, Gao Qingyuan was supervising work by this half-built embankment when he received the order. Furious, he publicly cursed Jiang Zheng for swallowing the court’s hydraulic funds, saying he would wait for the Regent Prince’s southern tour to file complaints.

“The elder mentioned he brought trouble on himself – where is he now?” Shu Shenhui asked after listening.

“Concerned villagers went to check at the county office. The main gate was tightly closed. They said a few days ago Jiang Zheng accused him of insubordination, ordered him to reflect behind closed doors, and forbade him from participating in the imperial reception.”

Shu Shenhui stood before the incomplete embankment, contemplating. Nearby farmers working in the fields occasionally cast curious glances at this scholar wearing a bamboo hat standing by the river.

He walked through the mud and left the village.

That evening, a servant brought a bowl of food, but County Magistrate Gao Qingyuan had no appetite. Sitting in the official hall of the county office, he frowned deeply, lost in heavy-hearted contemplation.

Gao Qingyuan’s father had once been a local water official. He had followed his father’s transfers since childhood and witnessed firsthand how flooding damaged farmland and harmed people’s livelihoods. After becoming an official, he resolved to do practical things for the people. This time facing such obstruction and suppression, a few days ago, he had received word from his direct superior suggesting that the Regent Prince’s southern tour was for the northern expedition plan, and locals should unite to show solidarity. If he dared use such trivial matters to disrupt the good situation and spoil the Regent Prince’s mood, he should watch himself.

This was a naked threat.

Not only that, due to his insubordinate words that day, he was temporarily suspended and lost his qualification to receive the imperial party.

Gao Qingyuan had initially been just a minor clerk. At twenty, when his father died in service, he inherited his father’s position. For many years, he had been transferred between various places, managing hydraulic works for twenty years. Three years ago, benefiting from a court decree that local areas could promote officials based on merit, he was recommended by a superior who appreciated him and finally transformed from clerk to official, coming here as county magistrate.

That day by the embankment, in his anger, he had indeed spoken of seeking out the Regent Prince to file complaints. But having never had opportunity to approach the central government, he didn’t know what kind of person the current Regent Prince truly was, or whether this southern tour was genuinely for the people’s welfare or for self-aggrandizement to promote the court’s benevolence.

Moreover, even if he truly wanted to risk his life to file complaints, he no longer had the opportunity. People were watching the county office closely – he was under house arrest. As long as the Regent Prince didn’t leave, he would likely remain confined here.

But if he truly submitted like this, leaving the half-built river embankment abandoned and wasting previous efforts, how could he face the county’s elders in the future?

Gao Qingyuan felt extremely distressed, pacing back and forth in the official hall. Just as he was anxiously at wit’s end, he suddenly heard commotion outside, as if people were fighting.

He rushed out a few steps and saw that the county office gate had opened. A man burst in, not looking back, kicking at those pursuing to stop him. One kick per person – those people screamed and flew out, falling in disarray, groaning continuously. They appeared to have broken arms and bones and were seriously injured.

The man shook off his pursuers and continued striding toward him.

Gao Qingyuan watched with alarm, initially thinking Jiang Zheng had sent someone to kill him outright, shocked by such brazenness. Looking again, those kicked away by this big man seemed to be the very spies Jiang Zheng had sent to watch him. For a moment, he was confused. When the man approached, he was a dark-faced big fellow who stopped and asked, “Are you the local County Magistrate Gao Qingyuan?”

Gao Qingyuan came to his senses.

“Who are you?”

The man approached and whispered something in his ear. Gao Qingyuan was stunned, coming to his senses. Initially half-believing, he glanced toward the county office gate, hesitated, then asked, “May I ask… who are you, sir?”

Liu Xiang took out his waist token and showed it briefly. The token was of yellow copper with lacquer inlay, with an angry dragon head carved in the center top, serrated edges all around, the front center bearing the seal script characters “Imperial Guard Bureau” in raised text, the back having small characters in intaglio “Great Wei Imperial Commission, For Use Outside Capital.” Seeing this object, knowing it couldn’t possibly be forged, he no longer doubted. A wave of both panic and wild joy swept through him. He bowed in thanks to the man before him, then rushed outside. He was so hasty that when crossing the threshold, his foot caught and he fell forward, but felt no pain at all. He scrambled up and hurried forward, rushing out the county office gate to see a young man in ordinary clothes standing outside, hands clasped behind his back, standing straight as a pine with clear, penetrating eyes. Seeing him emerge, the man looked over.

Gao Qingyuan naturally knew that the current Regent Prince was only twenty-four or twenty-five, in his prime. Seeing this person now, and noticing an escort group standing not far away, he knew this must be the central government’s leader on the southern tour. His heart filled with extreme excitement, he went forward and knelt, calling out: “Your Highness, the Regent Prince, your humble subject, Yongxing County Magistrate Gao Qingyuan, arrives late to receive you. May the Regent Prince forgive this offense!” He then kowtowed.

Shu Shenhui commanded him to rise. Gao Qingyuan knew he shouldn’t be overly emotional and tried hard to suppress his excitement as he slowly stood up.

Shu Shenhui fixed his gaze on him and suddenly smiled: “This Prince remembers your name. Three years ago, when the court exceptionally promoted a group of capable officials, the Ministry of Personnel documents were personally signed and approved by this Prince. You were among them, noted that your late father died for water management in his early years, that you and your father shared the profession, skilled in hydraulic works. This Prince saw it then and has remembered until now.”

He nodded: “You have truly not failed the court’s trust in you. This Prince is deeply gratified.”

Gao Qingyuan was stunned again. He never imagined that such a small matter from three years ago – his name among three hundred people in the registry – would be remembered by the Regent Prince despite his myriad daily affairs.

He was now not just excited but trembling all over, tears filling his eyes. Having just stood up, he knelt again, kowtowing heavily, choking with emotion: “The Regent Prince overpraises me! Your humble subject has failed the Regent Prince’s trust. In three years here, the troublesome river in my jurisdiction remains unrepaired to this day. It even requires Your Highness to inquire about it during your busy southern tour. This is your subject’s crime!”

He had served as magistrate here for three years, clean and righteous, loving the people like his own children. These past days, because of the river embankment matter that offended his superior, the people felt injustice for him and were worried. These days, people often come to peer at the county office gates. Just now, when Liu Xiang broke through the gates, and now with this commotion, many people had already gathered around. Hearing these words, they learned it was the Regent Prince in person, and all knelt with Gao Qingyuan. Some just kowtowed, some defended their magistrate, and some boldly accused the prefectural governor. For a moment, chaos reigned outside the county office.

Shu Shenhui gestured for Gao Qingyuan to lead the people in rising, saying: “The Emperor loves his people. This Prince’s southern tour represents the Emperor in shepherding the people, serving as the Emperor’s eyes and ears. No matter how remote or distant, these are still the Emperor’s people – how could there be differential treatment? You must immediately resume work and ensure completion of the embankment repairs before this year’s flood season arrives. The required hydraulic engineering funds will be allocated within three days!”

Cheers arose all around. Gao Qingyuan led the county people in thanking the Regent Prince for his grace. Despite the approaching evening, they immediately went to the river embankment to prepare for resuming work.

On the third day, the prefect and governor led hundreds of local officials and gentry to finally wait for the southern tour entourage at the wharf, but the Regent Prince was nowhere to be seen. Both sides were surprised and searched everywhere, only to discover he had already arrived and was currently at the riverside in Yongxing County, reportedly having stayed several days personally supervising the work.

Everyone was alarmed and rushed over. When they arrived, they saw laborers bustling along the banks, construction in full swing, with County Magistrate Gao Qingyuan accompanying the Regent Prince on a river inspection.

The officials were all terrified – who would have thought the Regent Prince not only arrived early but went down to such a remote, small county? They crowded forward to pay respects. The Regent Prince immediately ordered Jiang Zheng’s official hat and robes stripped away, promoted Gao Qingyuan to Southeast River Special Envoy to oversee water affairs in all southeastern prefectures and counties, and ordered a strict investigation of corruption. Any officials found embezzling hydraulic engineering funds would be prosecuted without exception, with penalties increased by one degree.

He stayed in Jiangdu for half a month in total. Successively, besides promoting Gao Qingyuan and more than ten other officials with good reputations who did practical work, he executed three local officials who had colluded with Jiang Zheng and caused great public outrage, as a warning to others. After imperial grace and stern enforcement, amid widespread praise from Jiangdu’s people, he left the local area and continued south. Thus, he proceeded all the way, inspecting, punishing corrupt officials, and promoting capable clerks. After about two months, by late July, he reached Qiantang.

Local officials had long heard of his deeds during this southern tour. Everyone knew he was practical and strict, and his words, “shepherding the people for the Emperor, serving as the Emperor’s eyes and ears,” were known to all. Though he had promoted many people along the way, the heads he had removed were real too – who knew if they might be next? After receiving him, they were trembling with fear. The local elite had prepared various elaborate ceremonies months ago, but all were canceled. The Great Wei issued new robes to officials annually, but on the day they went to receive them, everyone wore old robes. Those unaware might think the Great Wei court was now bankrupt and couldn’t even provide officials’ clothing.

But no one expected that after the Regent Prince had inspected locally for three days, he would suddenly hold a Hundred Elders Banquet by the lake below the temporary palace, inviting all elderly men over seventy in the city to attend. The banquet was held for three consecutive days. He also announced that the court’s northern expedition required him to invite elders to feast in hopes of receiving good strategies. Moreover, not only banquet attendees but everyone, regardless of status, scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, even monks and Taoists, could offer suggestions.

With several hundred thousand people in the city, initially no one believed it, until the second day, when a reckless blacksmith stepped forward, claiming he had forged a set of front and back chest protectors that could help soldiers in battle, making them invulnerable to swords and spears. The Regent Prince had him bring it to see. It was indeed solid, but when worn, it was like carrying two large iron pots front and back – walking fast produced clanging sounds, naturally useless. The whole hall laughed, but the Regent Prince didn’t blame him. Instead, he rewarded the blacksmith, actually giving him calligraphy, personally inscribing a plaque reading “Number One Under Heaven” – this blacksmith was the first to dare respond to the call for strategies, so wasn’t he number one under heaven?

This caused an uproar – turns out the Regent Prince was also so close to the people.

The whole city flocked over with all kinds of suggestions. Most were naturally unusable, and many were wildly fanciful nonsense like that number one blacksmith’s iron pots. The Regent Prince naturally couldn’t meet with everyone individually. But indeed, some commoners had strategic discussions with some insight. When encountering these, the Regent Prince personally summoned them for conversation, generously rewarding the outstanding ones, even exceptionally granting them scholarly honors.

These people mostly came from southeastern gentry families. Even if their clans had declined, they still had some foundation, and their fellow disciples were spread throughout the realm. Receiving such treatment, they all felt deeply honored. In just a few days, articles praising the court’s expedition became fashionable, turning into popular will.

By the third day, at the final banquet, the lakeside below the temporary palace was packed with people. The lake was also crowded with boats of all sizes, gunwale to gunwale, connected like flat ground, allowing children to run back and forth across the lake.

That night, if not for the limited space below the temporary palace, truly the entire city would have emptied with everyone coming. Just as emotions were running high, someone on a boat suddenly shouted: “Your Highness! This commoner speaks for the people – we southeastern people, to show our loyalty, willingly volunteer to contribute extra funds and grain for the court’s northern expedition plan! Please let the court accept this!”

Once these words were spoken and spread around, the previously excited crowds suddenly fell silent. Everyone turned to look and saw that the speaker was a local wealthy merchant. Standing high on his boat’s prow, after speaking, he kowtowed toward the temporary palace with resounding thuds.

The Regent Prince was on an observation platform in front of the mid-mountain temporary palace, surrounded by local officials. From there, he could see the crowds below, and looking up, they could dimly make out his figure in golden crown and broad sash tonight.

The wealthy merchant’s words were quickly relayed to the Regent Prince. By then, the entire lakeside had fallen completely quiet – ten thousand people without a sound.

He had been sitting initially, but after a moment, under ten thousand gazing eyes, he slowly stood up, walked forward a few steps, stopped, and faced the crowd, saying loudly: “Tonight’s auspicious occasion – though His Majesty the Emperor sits in the Purple Palace and cannot personally hear such sincere words, His Majesty will surely sense everyone’s loyalty to the court. This Prince is also deeply moved.”

He paused, surveyed left, right, and ahead, then spoke again: “Before leaving the capital this time, His Majesty the Emperor gave this Prince many instructions, one of which was: never increase taxes!”

“His Majesty repeatedly instructed this Prince to convey this point to all people under heaven, so everyone would know. In such peaceful times, even when facing national war as now, no matter how difficult things become for the court, it will never burden all people under heaven-you southeastern subjects-with even half a portion more in taxes!”

His voice carried from high to low, near to far, from mid-mountain to the foothills, then scattered with the wind across the lake and surroundings – rich and clear, dignified yet peaceful.

Everyone looked up, holding their breath as they watched this figure on the mountainside.

“Ancient sages said: those traveling long distances must rely on carriages and horses. Those crossing rivers and seas must rely on boats and oars. Today’s court is the same. For the court to accomplish things, it needs the support of all people under heaven. You people, each fulfilling your duties – those who farm should cultivate more, those raising silkworms should produce silk, merchants should trade goods. Pay your due taxes promptly to the national treasury – this is the greatest loyalty to the court and the greatest support for the northern expedition!”

After his words ended, following a brief silence, suddenly from below the mountain and across the lake surface arose shouts of “Long live, long live, long live the Emperor,” followed by “Thousand years, thousand years, thousand thousand years” for the Prince. The sounds reverberated through mountains and waters, stirring hearts.

The heartfelt submission was self-evident.

After the Regent Prince finished speaking, he smiled and returned to his seat.

When the shouting from below subsided, the governor came to the Regent Prince’s side and suggested that, with popular sentiment, people from all walks of life in the southeast wanted to contribute to the court. Since taxes would never be increased, why not accept donations to avoid cooling everyone’s enthusiasm? To show appreciation, donors could be included in an honor roll, and those particularly enthusiastic could receive rewards, such as honorary titles.

When the governor finished, everyone around agreed. The Regent Prince also nodded. The governor immediately had the message conveyed below.

After that wealthy merchant had impulsively spoken earlier, countless people below had their hearts skip a beat, fearing the Regent Prince would agree with the man’s words. They were already cursing that merchant thoroughly in their minds. Many landlords and wealthy families had already decided that if the court truly increased levies, they would find ways to shift the additional taxes to their tenant farmers – they were unwilling to engage in such unprofitable business. But now hearing it could be donations with corresponding court recognition and honorary titles – that was completely different.

The news had just spread when many people were already eager to act. That merchant was the first to jump up again, saying he would donate a hundred thousand, with only one request – hoping the Regent Prince would also grant him calligraphy, inscribing a plaque for his family’s newly completed garden.

The Regent Prince had the merchant brought up, not only personally praising him and agreeing to inscribe the plaque, but also having him recorded and granted an honorary title. Thus, if the Emperor toured south again, this person would qualify to meet with officials.

The merchant was moved to tears, prostrated himself, and kowtowed over ten times consecutively. He left with great satisfaction under everyone’s envious gaze.

Subsequently, the Regent Prince personally toasted the elders, ending his evening activities, and returned to the temporary palace amid continuous farewell calls.

Liu Xiang closely followed the Regent Prince.

Honestly speaking, tonight’s various scenes were almost entirely within expectations, meeting anticipations – the reason for saying “almost” was because there was indeed one surprise. That was that before Liu Xiang’s secretly arranged person could speak up at the climax to propose tax increases for the Regent Prince to reject, a local merchant had spoken up first.

Starting tomorrow, the southeastern literati will probably be busy again.

In his heart, Liu Xiang felt even more admiration for the Regent Prince.

He escorted the Regent Prince inside, watched the palace gates close, then went out to personally direct crowd dispersal.

The heavy palace gates closed tightly behind him, blocking out all the clamorous sounds.

Shu Shenhui’s smile also disappeared as he went directly to the sleeping quarters he had occupied since returning this time.

He didn’t stay in the Jianspring Pavilion where he had lived two months ago, but in a western hall.

It wasn’t yet time to rest. He sat at his desk and habitually opened memorials delivered by express horses from Chang’an. When he raised his right hand, he thought of someone again.

He stopped, slowly turned his hand over, and looked at the scar on his palm.

She had left two months ago and should have returned to Yanmen long ago. Tonight, as he returned to this place, where was she now? In the Yanmen main camp or at Qingmu Camp? What was she doing? Galloping on horseback with soldiers by her side, or had she already rested, lying in her military tent?

After returning, she probably never thought of him again. Yet he thought of her once more.

Blame this indelible scar on his palm that always made him see it. Seeing it, how could he not think of her?

Shu Shenhui’s mood became melancholy again.

He put down the memorial in his hands, slowly clenched his palm, clenched it tight, then released it, released it, then clenched it again, as if this way he could quickly erase this scar…

Suddenly, his hand paused.

He remembered something.

He hesitated for a moment. He didn’t want to go, but finally couldn’t restrain himself. He left the western hall and came to the Jianspring Pavilion where he had lived with her two months ago, pushing the door open and entering.

Palace servants lit candles and withdrew. He looked around, then opened various drawers, searching through all possible places where items might be stored. He found nothing.

He summoned the palace servant responsible for cleaning this place and asked: “Two months ago, after the Princess left, when you cleaned here, did you see a small box?” He described the box’s size and style.

The palace servant shook her head: “I never saw it.”

Shu Shenhui dismissed the servant, slowly walked to the south window, opened it, and looked out.

Had she taken it with her?

No, no, impossible!

Someone as heartless as her – since he had spoken that way, she must have discarded it.

Most likely, when she left, she casually threw it into that lake by the mountain’s foot…

He desperately suppressed the urge that surged within him to immediately order people to dive and search for it, gazing in that direction.

The crowds gathered at the foothills and on the lake were gradually dispersing in orderly fashion under Liu Xiang and his team’s direction. Distant lights twinkled, and laughter mixed with noise drifted into the temporary palace on the wind.

Shu Shenhui stood for a moment, slowly turned back, and surveyed the surroundings again.

Everything was as before. The carved ivory bed, hanging curtains, the beauty couch by the window, the low table on the couch…

Finally, he lay down fully clothed on the bed where he had once slept with her.

Sleep.

He was tired, very tired.

He closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and after a moment, his nostrils seemed to catch a trace of her lingering scent in the curtains.

Then someone knocked gently at the door. He didn’t respond, not wanting this feeling he had just captured to be driven away. But the person outside continued knocking, as if they wouldn’t give up until he opened the door.

He suddenly opened his eyes with anger, sprang from the bed, strode over, and yanked the door open.

Liu Xiang stood outside.

“What is it?”

Seeing it was Liu Xiang, he suppressed his anger, but his tone remained somewhat unfriendly.

Liu Xiang quickly bowed: “Your humble servant disturbs Your Highness’s rest. I just received an urgent dispatch from General Jiang at Yanmen. I thought it must be extremely important and dared not delay, so I brought it personally. Please review it, Your Highness.”

A letter sealed with wax was respectfully presented with both hands before Shu Shenhui.