In the shop front, the shopkeeper heard continuous shouting and crying from inside, feeling terrified, not knowing what was happening inside. It seemed like a young couple having a quarrel? He didn’t dare ask. These two people’s identities wouldn’t be simple – just from that man’s clothing and appearance, it was evident. Moreover, he had boldly opened the money pouch earlier – heavens! The smallest denomination banknote inside was enough to buy his entire shop, and the rest were gleaming gold ingots.

With this situation, even letting him take the money, he didn’t dare.

Just as he was feeling uneasy, the curtain was lifted and the white-robed man emerged, asking softly: “Shopkeeper, I want to buy a qin.”

The shopkeeper was somewhat puzzled, but how could he refuse business? This time he could legitimately collect some money, so he immediately said: “Let me introduce some to you, sir.”

Before he finished speaking, he saw the man had already walked to the instruments in the shop and seemingly casually picked one up. The shopkeeper was startled – he had encountered an expert! This person’s casual selection was actually the finest qin in the shop in terms of material and tone.

It seemed this money would be hard to earn. Over there, the man’s sharp gaze fell on the money pouch on the counter. He put down the qin, went over to take the pouch, drew out a banknote, and handed it to him: “You sell, I buy – what’s there to be afraid of?”

He said no more, hung the money pouch back at his waist, took the qin and went back inside.

Inside was quiet – that young lady didn’t know what had happened, but it had been silent for quite a while. Had they finished quarreling and he was giving her the qin as an apology? The shopkeeper clutched the banknote joyfully, becoming even more curious. Soon, qin music rose melodiously, like flowing water, clear and moving. He was quite knowledgeable about music and knew this was “Phoenix Seeking Phoenix.” He couldn’t help but smile, yet couldn’t contain himself, secretly lifting the curtain.

He saw in the courtyard a man wearing only a single robe, his black hair like ink cascading over half his shoulder as he sat cross-legged, head lowered in performance. It was deep winter and he was lightly dressed, his lips slightly purple from cold, but he seemed unaware, his posture graceful, his gaze deep as jade focused on something curled up under the tree beside him.

He suddenly remembered that poem: “The whole assembly dressed in snow-white robes,” even though there weren’t many people here, just one audience member.

And an incompetent audience member at that.

That young lady leaned against the large tree, wearing the man’s sable-trimmed robe, curled up in a ball but warm, her eyes closed, actually having fallen asleep.

He wanted to fetch a robe for the man, but after much consideration, ultimately didn’t dare disturb them, quickly lowering the curtain.

Time passed unknowably, with one piece after another, all peaceful and soothing melodies. The musicianship was exquisite. Unexpectedly, some people were drawn by the qin music to come look at instruments, ultimately bringing him several pieces of business.

Others wanted to go in and see the performer, but he quickly stopped them.

At evening, when his sister came to bring food, he was no longer afraid but rather quite admiring, even wondering whether to go in and ask if they needed some food. Just as he was hesitating, the curtain was lifted again and the man poked his head out, saying calmly: “Please trouble the shopkeeper to call a sedan chair for us. It’s about time for us to go back.”

He quickly nodded, instructing his sister to arrange it. The girl, seeing this stunningly handsome stranger, blushed and hurried out.

Soon, the sedan arrived. He called softly through the curtain twice. Shortly after, he saw the man emerge carrying the woman. That young lady had half her face buried in his chest and was still sleeping! Such a waste of pearls before swine – all those beautiful pieces wasted.

As a spectator, he couldn’t help feeling indignant. Just as the man was about to carry the woman into the sedan, he remembered something and hastily instructed his sister: “Quick, go get the gentleman’s qin.”

He also called out: “Sir, wait – you forgot your qin.”

The man shook his head with a smile: “I haven’t touched this instrument for years, my mind isn’t on it. My technique has long grown rusty. It’s just that my wife has been having nightmares lately, and I wanted to help her sleep well, so I made a fool of myself.”

As he spoke, he gently placed the woman in his arms into the sedan, then carefully climbed in himself and embraced her. The shopkeeper couldn’t come to his senses for a long time, constantly speculating about their identities.

That swaying sensation made Su Zhen’s stomach somewhat uncomfortable, and she slowly opened her eyes from the haze.

“Where are we?” She was still somewhat unclear, asking drowsily.

“On the way back to the residence. You slept for half the day – that’s about enough. We’ll eat something when we get back, then you can rest properly.” Beside her, the man stroked her hair, his voice gentle.

Su Zhen’s face heated up, only then realizing she was in Quan Feitong’s arms. One of his hands encircled her body, letting her lean against him, while the other held her left hand resting on his knee.

Where her severed finger had been, he rubbed until it was slightly warm. Her face heated up and she wanted to withdraw her hand, but he pressed down firmly, refusing to let go. His gaze also turned toward her: “Think about that proposal I made. I can’t expect you to agree in the short term. How about this – consider it for two days. If after two days you can’t make up your mind, or if you make an inappropriate decision, then I’ll simply help you make the choice. You’re not speaking, which means you think we can reach a consensus, right? Good, then it’s decided.”

“I’m several years older than you – listening to me won’t be wrong.”

Su Zhen was stunned for a long time, then burst out laughing and collapsed against his shoulder.

She laughed for quite a while before stopping, looking up at him: “You might as well say you’ll make all the decisions, old man – what business is it of mine?”

“Oh, since you also agree I should make the decisions, then I’ll start preparing directly.”

“You,” Su Zhen glanced at him, “So what if you’re a few years older? I may call you elder brother with my mouth, but I’ve never treated you as an older brother.”

“That’s right – I’ve never treated you as a younger sister either.”

Quan Feitong looked at her, his lips lifting happily, but his gaze deepened slightly, becoming burning hot.

Su Zhen felt his hand on her wrist tighten. Her heart fluttered, her breathing suddenly rapid, and he had already kissed her.

The sedan was narrow, and immediately there was chaos.

Su Zhen struggled hard, but Quan Feitong wouldn’t let her retreat. Her body was much weaker than before, and after today’s ordeal, she was already weary and exhausted. How could she break free? Soon he had penetrated deeply.

She pushed and struck his shoulders and chest, but he forcefully restrained both her hands.

His lips and tongue persistently entangled with hers. Su Zhen was powerless to struggle and gradually stopped moving – she truly was tired.

Quan Feitong, honestly speaking, she really didn’t dislike him. Being with him, she felt at ease. He was an enemy, but also a very intimate person. Moreover…

Seeing she wasn’t struggling, Quan Feitong’s gaze burned even more, his breathing slightly heavier – he pulled open Su Zhen’s collar, then immediately drew it back together, pressing his head into her shoulder: “Terrible – I’m acting like a young hothead.”

Su Zhen pushed him away: “You’re heavy – don’t go too far.”

Quan Feitong laughed heartily and embraced her, letting her lean against his shoulder.

Su Zhen wanted to sit up but was pressed down firmly by his hand on her shoulder, his voice drifting down from above her head.

“Let me guess what you want to say. You want to tell me you haven’t fallen for me yet, that maybe I shouldn’t be good to you. You want to persuade me that my efforts might not be rewarded.”

“I’ve been in government for ten years. You seem like the most absurd and careless person I’ve ever met, but actually you’re the most stubborn. When you can’t even take care of yourself, why worry about other people’s joys and sorrows? I treat you well because it makes me happy too. Otherwise, why would I seek trouble? Even if you can’t respond to me now, I’ll worry about it, but ultimately it doesn’t compare to this happiness. You don’t owe me anything. Understand?”

“Just think of it this way – that’s enough. No one knows what the future holds.”

“Also, I don’t believe that if Li Zhaoting and Lian Yu could move your heart, I, Quan Feitong, can’t. If I can eventually move you, then treating you well now is just treating my future woman well in advance – isn’t that natural?”

Su Zhen couldn’t find words to respond, her heart pounding.

She looked up and quickly fell into his deep gaze again. Quan Feitong was someone with ruthless methods who happened to love laughing. The few times he didn’t smile much were when he spoke to her about such things.

She was about to speak when the sedan bearers called out outside. He helped her from the sedan. The doorkeeper, seeing Su Zhen, was somewhat surprised but naturally didn’t dare ask anything, opening the door to let them in.

After entering, without Su Zhen needing to speak, Quan Feitong seemed to know what she was thinking and stopped: “Is there something you want to say to me?”

“What does someone like you see in me?”

“Then what did you see in Li Zhaoting and Lian Yu? I don’t think they’re anything special either – just two young hotshots.” Quan Feitong raised his eyebrows slightly.

Su Zhen paused, then couldn’t help laughing again.

Quan Feitong looked at her deeply, then suddenly swept her up in his arms. Su Zhen was startled and immediately pinched his arm: “Put me down quickly – if people in your residence see…”

“This is my residence!” Quan Feitong snorted coldly, intimidatingly carrying her in several circles.

Though he didn’t practice martial arts, he was tall with strong arms, not stopping at all. Su Zhen was spun until slightly dizzy, laughing in surprise. Yet that dizzy feeling seemed to stop time itself. No pain, no burden.

“Maybe it’s because I didn’t meet anyone else then, just met you. You suddenly appeared before me, opposing me.” Among the winter trees and fleeting shadows of the full garden, he whispered in her ear in response.

These familiar words struck Su Zhen’s heart like a hammer. Her eyes moistened and she quickly closed them.

“If you’re willing to marry, I’m willing to wed. Not as Feng Suzhen, and no longer as Li Huaisu, just as the maid Zhu’er from Huang Tianba’s residence. If you think this decision isn’t appropriate, I can also consider listening to your opinion.”

After a long moment, when Quan Feitong had set her down and was frowning with a tense expression examining her slightly reddened eyes, she opened her eyes and spoke.

“Master, that person from the palace sent people three times this afternoon, saying you should enter the palace immediately upon your return. Those eunuchs and guards are usually quite respectful, but today their expressions weren’t good – it seems the one above has ill intentions.”

What met her eyes were the man’s piercingly bright pupils. His lips had just moved when the steward hurriedly emerged from inside to report.