Murong Liu’s gaze also crossed with hers, frowning as he stared at their clasped hands—the warmth from his hand and the distinctly masculine aura surged through instantly. She hurriedly released her grip and explained, “He didn’t struggle. We were both willing…”

Murong Jiu was stunned, and Murong Qi and the others were dazed. After a moment, Murong Qi couldn’t help but burst into laughter first.

Suzhen received another tap on her head. She looked at Murong Liu, daring to be angry but not daring to speak, as her future was still in his hands.

Murong Liu paid her no more attention, only raising his head to look toward the high platform.

The wind carried the faint fragrant smoke from his body to Suzhen’s nose.

Suzhen felt somewhat dazed, suddenly understanding why she thought he resembled Young Master Li. It wasn’t their appearance or anything like that, but the feeling they emanated—like winter thorns, motionless as pines.

Ah, she was thinking of Li Zhaoting again.

Just seeing someone somewhat similar to him, she immediately became infatuated.

If he would only spare her three cups and two dishes of words and laughter, wouldn’t she be willing to sacrifice ten or so spring and autumn seasons from her destined lifespan.

She dared not think further, quickly looking toward the high platform, just as dozens of silver objects came flying down.

Silver ingots?

One landed squarely on her foot.

“These are given to you, hurry up and get lost! In our Great Wei, such small money is something no one would deign to accept. The grand Zhou capital actually still has beggars.”

A mocking voice came from the high platform.

Suzhen was startled, seeing several raggedly dressed men and women dart out from the crowd, bending down to scramble for the things on the ground.

Indeed, nearby vagrants and beggar children had come upon hearing the news. A few steps away, there were many more elderly and weak beggars staring greedily at the glistening grain and provisions on the platform, but being weak, they dared not step forward to compete with the strong for the spoils.

Although the Great Zhou’s national strength was not weak, it was not an agricultural powerhouse. Combined with some harmful policies of previous rulers, the problem of basic sustenance had not been completely resolved.

Suzhen’s heart sank, grinding her teeth slightly as she looked up at the platform. She saw that the speaker was a man in his thirties or forties, standing in front of the merchants on the platform, appearing to be their leader.

This man was quite handsome, athletic and tall, but the trace of contempt in his eyes and the sinister smile at the corner of his mouth made people feel uneasy.

Several merchants behind him now stepped forward, also curling their lips in smiles.

“Hey, Wei barbarian, what are you saying? Who wants your stinking money?”

Someone in the crowd shouted angrily at him. The leader chuckled repeatedly, “Barbarian? What I’m displaying here is the finest rice and grain, not the ordinary provisions we usually sell to you. It’s what your Zhou officials and nobles buy. Don’t you usually scramble to buy some to take home for a taste? Since you’re not ashamed, fine! Tonight, no one should think of using Zhou gold and silver to buy rice and grain from me. If you want to buy, we won’t even sell it to you!”

As he spoke, his gaze shifted, and he raised his hand to scatter another handful of silver ingots down to the platform.

The crowd stirred again, but several other common men also rushed among the beggars to pick up the silver.

“Look, this person is truly detestable, Zhao…”

As Suzhen spoke, she reached to grab the person beside her. When that faint fragrance drifted into her nose, she was startled and forcibly swallowed the word “ting” back to the tip of her tongue. She had forgotten that beside her was Murong Liu—

The claw resting on his sleeve was about to withdraw when her hand was suddenly gripped tightly.

Was Murong Liu angry? This time instead of hitting her head, he was going to torment her hand? The slight calluses on his palm were rough against her hand. His hand was different from Zhaoting’s—Zhaoting was gentle, but he gripped hers until it felt slightly hot and painful. Suzhen’s heart raced and her face flushed, wanting to struggle but not daring to.

She stealthily glanced at Murong Liu. Their hands were tightly clasped within their sleeves, but Murong Liu still didn’t look at her, only narrowing his eyes at the high platform, his gaze ancient and calmly composed as always.

“Put the silver you’ve picked up back where it was, and I shall return it to all of you twofold.”

Suddenly, a clear female voice came from not far away, and with it, a group of several people emerged from the crowd.