She glanced at Leng Xue and also said lightly, “Yes, the two counties are adjacent. Young Master Li’s talent and learning are quite famous in neighboring provinces and regions. But Young Master Li has a noble character, while I have shallow learning. I once sought an audience but was refused. I hear he’s recently been appreciated by the Grand Chancellor—how would he recognize us common people?”

Her jealousy was fake, but her wounded feelings were real, displaying exactly the attitude of sour grapes. Mu San covered his mouth with his hand and coughed lightly, seeming somewhat amused.

Su Zhen thought she didn’t know whether he believed her or not, just as he didn’t know whether what she said was true or false. But even if it cost her life, she could never betray anything related to Li Zhaoting.

Mu San sighed softly, “It seems Huaisu has some grievances against that Young Master Li. I hear he’s now the Chancellor’s favored person. If you could get his introduction and enter the Chancellor’s household, you might not be without hope.”

“You should know that regarding the Ministry of Personnel’s student recruitment, though other officials may have high positions, they might not be able to say much due to consideration for the princess. But the two Chancellors Yan and Quan are different. How many officials in the Ministry of Personnel are former students of these two? Moreover, they are the chief examiners for this year’s imperial examination. As long as one of them nods, would the Ministry of Personnel still be unable to issue a seat assignment token?”

“Huaisu, when beginning an official career, connections are most important. Remember this.”

Su Zhen was slightly shaken. She had long known this person was extraordinary, and his words truly reminded her. But to go find Li Zhaoting, to find him…

After returning to their room, she lay on the bed, pondering for a long time, her thoughts tangled like hemp.

To see him or not see him—both were difficult.

He didn’t love her, and she was also afraid of implicating him.

The day passed just like this.

As night fell, watching moonlight seeping through the gauze window paper into the room, she tiredly closed her eyes.

“Young Master Li, someone is looking for you.”

Leng Xue sat on his floor mat, also silent. Only when the waiter’s voice came from outside the door did he compose himself and leap up to open the door.

Su Zhen stayed curled up on the bed without moving, only hearing the waiter speaking to the visitor with a smile, “If you have any orders, just call for this humble one—I’ll wait right outside the door.”

She didn’t hear Leng Xue speak, and couldn’t help feeling alarmed: Who was this visitor? But the tip given must have been generous—that dead waiter had never shown her such a face, that dog-eyed fool.

“My instruction is for you to go farther away.”

The visitor said indifferently.

This voice—The waiter, having gained nothing, responded and slunk away dejectedly. But she was shocked and nearly fell off the bed, hurriedly getting up to put on her shoes and stand up quickly.

It was him, it was him.

Across a table, Li Zhaoting and Xiao Si stood at the door, while she and Leng Xue were on this side.

Li Zhaoting narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at her, his gaze lightly sweeping over the floor mat on the ground before finally settling on her wrinkled clothes.

Su Zhen’s face heated up, and she foolishly went to smooth her garments.

Facing this nemesis, she always acted stupidly.

But perhaps all her embarrassment was unnecessary—aside from a slight frown, his gaze remained as indifferent as ever.

Forever elegant and plain, this was Li Zhaoting.

Xiao Si showed surprise on his face, looking at her incredulously, until his young master softly instructed, “Xiao Si, this is also Young Master Li, named Huaisu. Here there is only Young Master Li, no other person. Do you understand why I brought you here?”

Xiao Si had grown up beside Li Zhaoting and wasn’t stupid. Though his eyes showed deep fear looking at the “resurrected” Su Zhen, he immediately nodded, “Yes, this is Young Master Li Huaisu. This servant understands.”

Li Zhaoting said again, “You may go.”

He looked again at Leng Xue, and Su Zhen told Leng Xue to leave as well.

Leng Xue gave Li Zhaoting a cold look, lifted his robe hem, and strode out.

Only the two of them remained in the room. Su Zhen heard her own heart beating like thunder. Li Zhaoting didn’t speak, standing with his hands behind his back, looking at her indifferently as always, tall and graceful like jade, taking away all her thoughts.