A’Liu said, “But when you left at the fourth watch, you didn’t mention taking a rest day today. Besides, in all these years, when have you ever actually rested on your rest days? And furthermore, A’Liu has been keeping track of all your rest days this year, and today isn’t…”

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly paused, then looked past Liu Chaoming with surprise and delight. “Isn’t that Young Master Su?”

Liu Chaoming’s eyes flickered slightly. When he turned around, his expression had already returned to complete composure. He glanced at the umbrella in Su Jin’s hands and asked coolly, “What is it?”

Su Jin presented the umbrella in her hands. “I heard that Your Lordship was resting today, so this subordinate has come specifically to return this to its rightful owner.”

Before Liu Chaoming could respond, A’Liu beside him asked curiously, “How did Young Master Su know that Your Lordship was resting today? A’Liu didn’t even know, and besides—”

Liu Chaoming shot him a sharp look.

An’ran silently nodded slightly and raised his hand to cover A’Liu’s mouth.

Only then did Liu Chaoming say, “No need. It’s just an umbrella.” He paused, then added softly, “Wuchang Prefecture has frequent rain. You might as well keep it with you.”

Su Jin looked up to see him standing beneath the corridor eaves in black robes, a figure like cold jade with eyes like black obsidian.

She lowered her gaze, moved the umbrella behind her back, clasped her hands together and bowed. “Then this subordinate thanks Your Lordship.” After a pause, she added, “Your Lordship, take care.”

After Su Jin left, as soon as An’ran released A’Liu’s mouth, A’Liu said, “Lord Liu, wasn’t that umbrella the one you bought on the very day you completed your first major case during your first inspection tour after joining the Imperial Censorate, when you encountered thunderstorms and were so overjoyed? I heard Third Brother mention it. He also said you treasured that umbrella most, personally carving the character ‘Yun’ on the handle, so why did you…”

Before he could finish, An’ran extended his hand toward Liu Chaoming. “I should probably gag him again.”

Meanwhile, on the other side, Tan Zhaolin was squatting at the main gate of the prince’s residence, bantering with the residence’s chief steward, Zheng Yun.

After being stripped of his position, he had been dragged here by Zhu Nanxian and had somehow gone from being a sixth-rank commander to a gatekeeper.

And he was quite comfortable with it.

After the two had been chatting nonsense for a while, they suddenly saw Zhu Nanxian riding back on horseback. He leaped down from the horse and strode into the residence with long steps.

Zheng Yun asked in surprise, “Didn’t Your Highness say he was going to establish his princedom in Nanchang? Hasn’t he been staying at the East Palace these past few days?”

Seeing that there was still no particular activity within the residence, Zhu Nanxian seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He straightened his sleeves and said, “Oh, this prince just came back to have a casual look around.”

Tan Zhaolin said, “What’s there to look at? Your Highness, this is your own residence—haven’t you seen enough of it? Take my wife, for example. She nags at me all day long. I’m so sick of looking at her that I wish I could…”

Before he could finish, he suddenly looked past Zhu Nanxian and exclaimed in surprise, “Isn’t that Su, Su…”

Knowing she was a woman, he couldn’t quite figure out what to call her for a long moment.

Zhu Nanxian’s eyelashes trembled slightly. He clasped his hands behind his back, turned around, and asked with apparent composure, “You… why have you come?”

Su Jin presented a dagger. Carved on the dagger were nine swimming pythons—though calling them pythons wasn’t quite accurate, as they were actually dragons missing one claw. “This subject heard that Your Highness was at the residence today, so she came specifically to return Your Highness’s dagger.”

The moment Zheng Yun saw this dagger, his eyes went completely straight.

Tan Zhaolin said, “Hey, how did you know His Highness was at the residence? I only just—”

“Too many words.” Before he could finish, Zheng Yun cut him off.

Zheng Yun cupped his hands toward Zhu Nanxian and said very seriously, “Your Highness, this humble one will take Guard Tan into the residence first.”

Zhu Nanxian gave a sound of acknowledgment.

Zheng Yun led Tan Zhaolin back into the residence with his eyes pointedly looking straight ahead. Halfway there, he suddenly made a detour and circled back, pressing himself against the back of the gate to peek outside.

Tan Zhaolin was completely baffled by this roundabout maneuver and couldn’t help asking, “What’s going on?”

Zheng Yun made a shushing gesture at his lips, then looked outside again. His eyes went straight once more.

Zhu Nanxian walked up to Su Jin and gently pushed the dagger back with his hand. “No need. It’s just a dagger. Keep it for self-defense.”

Su Jin thought for a moment and didn’t refuse.

She put away the dagger, then said, “Your Highness, this subject has also come to bid you farewell.”

Zhu Nanxian nodded slightly. “Mm, this prince has heard. Father Emperor has ordered you to go to Wuchang Prefecture in Huguang for inspection and supervision.”

Su Jin looked up at him briefly, then lowered her gaze again, raising her hands in a bow. “Then this subject takes her leave, Your Highness.” After a pause, she added, “Your Highness, take care.”

Zhu Nanxian watched her retreating figure and suddenly called out, “Su Shiyu.”

Su Jin turned back around.

He stood in his purple robes in the depths of the street lane, looking dashing. Even in broad daylight, his eyes shone as bright as stars, though in the instant the wind passed, they seemed somewhat dazed. “This dagger—remember to keep it with you.”

Su Jin nodded. “Alright.”

After Su Jin’s figure disappeared at the street corner, Zheng Yun lunged forward and threw himself to his knees at Zhu Nanxian’s feet, on the verge of tears. “Your Highness, how could you give away the Nine Dragons Dagger?!”

Seeing Zheng Yun in this state, Tan Zhaolin was stunned. He also knelt down in confusion and kowtowed a few times before turning to ask, “What’s this about?”

Zheng Yun said, “That dagger was bestowed by His Majesty himself. Each prince receives one. It’s a symbol of princely status—seeing the dagger is like seeing the prince himself!”

Tan Zhaolin’s jaw dropped. He looked up at Zhu Nanxian, who appeared to be deep in thought.

After a long while, having reached some conclusion, he said, “We’re setting out first thing tomorrow morning. I wonder if she’s brought enough travel funds. Zheng Yun, go prepare some money.”

Liu Chaoming sat in the main hall, absently stirring his tea bowl lid, and instructed, “Wuchang Prefecture is cold in winter and hot in summer. An’ran, go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and obtain some quality medicinal herbs.”

Zhu Nanxian stroked his chin. “The horses at government offices are too inferior. Zheng Yun, go to the Imperial Stud and get two good ones.”

Liu Chaoming took a sip of tea. “How can an inspector travel in those inspection carriages? An’ran, go to Shen Qingyue at the Ministry of Finance and requisition a good one.”

Zhu Nanxian clasped his hands behind his back and paced a few steps, looking at Zheng Yun. “The journey will take two months. I wonder if she’ll get bored along the way. She does love reading. Zheng Yun, go find some fresh and interesting story books.”

Liu Chaoming set down his teacup and looked at An’ran. “I recall I have a chess manual that records quite a few ancient endgame positions. With such a long journey to Wuchang, studying the chess manual in leisure time would be quite suitable. An’ran, go find it.”

Zhu Nanxian sighed deeply. “She throws herself into work without restraint. She needs someone to protect her.”

Liu Chaoming rubbed his brow. “She’s covered in injuries. She needs someone to look after her.”

Zhu Nanxian’s eyes suddenly lit up, his gaze falling on Tan Zhaolin.

Martial skills—excellent, more than capable of protecting someone. Mind—simple enough that Su Jin would have no trouble managing him.

Zhu Nanxian clasped his hands behind his back and circled Tan Zhaolin twice, tilting up his chin. “You go.”

Tan Zhaolin’s jaw dropped again. “What?”

Then he said indignantly, “Su… she’s a—” The word “woman” hadn’t even left his mouth before it was swept back by a sharp look from Zhu Nanxian.

Tan Zhaolin lowered his head, still defiant. “I’m not going.”

Zhu Nanxian asked coolly, “Going or not?”

Tan Zhaolin straightened his back and knelt properly, staring at Zhu Nanxian’s embroidered boots, still resentful. “Not going.” He added, “Even if Your Highness breaks my legs, I still won’t go!”

Zhu Nanxian raised an eyebrow and called out loudly after a moment, “Zheng Yun, bring a blade!”

The blade was still in its sheath. Zhu Nanxian gripped the sword and casually compared it against Tan Zhaolin’s neck, arms, and legs.

Tan Zhaolin broke out in a cold sweat. “Your, Your Highness, what are you doing?”

With a flick of his wrist, Zhu Nanxian drew the blade with a ringing sound. He raised the sword high, its gleam reflecting the sunlight in a dazzling flash.

He said leisurely, “This prince intends to remove both your legs first!” As his words fell, he brought the blade down in a vertical slash, stopping just a hair’s breadth from Tan Zhaolin’s knees.

Tan Zhaolin’s head crashed to the ground, nearly knocking a crater into it. “I’ll go.”

Liu Chaoming was deep in thought when he suddenly looked up and saw A’Liu passing by the main hall entrance, carrying a stack of clothes that had been scented with sweet osmanthus. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed what seemed to be a stain on the door pillar. Without thinking, he pulled up his sleeve and wiped at it, then wiped again, before looking at his own sleeve and sighing, “Alas, it needs washing again.”

Liu Chaoming smiled with great satisfaction and said, “An’ran, send him too.”

A’Liu had already walked past, but hearing these words from outside, he stepped back a few paces and stuck his head in to ask, “Who? Where to?”

An’ran said, “Your Lordship wants you to go to Wuchang Prefecture with Censor Su.”

Upon hearing this, A’Liu was momentarily speechless. The clothes in his hands dropped to the ground with a “thump.” He opened his mouth, then said with difficulty, “Your Lordship… you want to send A’Liu away?”

Liu Chaoming glanced at An’ran, who understood and said, “It’s not sending you away—it’s entrusting you with an important mission.”

A’Liu’s spirits lifted slightly. He propped up his cheeks and thought deeply. “A’Liu does really like Young Master Su, that’s true, but I also don’t want to be separated from Third Brother and Lord Liu. A’Liu has never been to Wuchang—it would be nice to go take a look. But if A’Liu goes, who will look after Your Lordship and Third Brother? Alas, this is truly worrying.” As he spoke, his eyes suddenly lit up. “Your Lordship, how about this—why don’t you keep Young Master Su here, and one day the three of us can accompany Young Master Su to Wuchang Prefecture together?”

Liu Chaoming looked at him calmly. “An’ran, bring a blade.”

An’ran started, glanced at A’Liu, and said, “Y-Your Lordship?”

Liu Chaoming said without warmth, “You can stay if you wish. But first, cut off your tongue.”

Early the next morning, Su Jin came out of the capital yamen carrying her luggage and saw Tan Zhaolin and A’Liu standing in front of a spacious and properly-appointed carriage.

The two had been arguing all morning and neither looked particularly pleased.

The reason was that Tan Zhaolin insisted on unhitching A’Liu’s carriage horses and replacing them with the ones his prince had ordered brought from the Imperial Stud.

Though A’Liu, a refined young servant, couldn’t overpower him, his chattering had made Tan Zhaolin’s ears ache.

After an entire night of preparation, both had been properly outfitted. Upon seeing Su Jin, they both enthusiastically rushed forward.

Tan Zhaolin took the luggage from her hands. “Lord Su, I’ve been ordered by the Thirteenth Prince to follow you from now on. I hope you won’t mind that I’m just a rough fellow.”

A’Liu helped Su Jin onto the carriage, saying genially, “Young Master Su, A’Liu has been ordered by Lord Liu to stay by your side and look after you from now on. I hope you won’t mind that I talk too much and have cleanliness obsessions. Oh, by the way, Lord Liu also told me to be sure to tell you that when A’Liu’s cleanliness obsession acts up, he talks less, and when he talks more, he forgets about his cleanliness obsession. He said you could use this to manage A’Liu. But we’ve met before, and A’Liu felt an instant connection with you. My Third Brother said…”

Su Jin listened to him speak while silently boarding the carriage and silently drawing the curtain.

Tan Zhaolin leaped onto the carriage and grasped the reins. A’Liu also climbed onto the carriage shaft.

The carriage began rolling along, and mixed with the sound of wheels, A’Liu’s voice continued drifting from outside the curtain. “Young Master Su? Do you know why I’m called A’Liu? During the great famine years, our family of four brothers was scattered. Third Brother and I ended up in Hangzhou Prefecture, where Lord Liu took us in. The two of us have been with him since we were young. He gave us the names ‘Remain and Be at Peace.’ I thought ‘A’Remain’ sounded bad, so I called myself A’Liu instead. Do you also know why Third Brother is called An’ran instead of ‘Remain and Be at Peace’? It’s because…”

Unable to bear it any longer, with no need to endure further, the curtain was suddenly pulled open. Su Jin stared at Tan Zhaolin with a gloomy expression and ordered, “Find something to gag his mouth.”

Tan Zhaolin’s eyes had already gone glassy from the noise. Upon hearing this command, as if receiving a great pardon, he immediately reined in the horses. “Right away! I’ll take off my socks to gag him!”

A’Liu started in alarm. Taking advantage of the carriage stopping, he jumped down and tossed back a “Not a chance!” before running off.

Though he looked refined, when he ran, he was surprisingly fast, like a rabbit.

Tan Zhaolin exclaimed in surprise, “Hey!” He tossed aside the reins and leaped down from the carriage to chase after A’Liu.

In the blink of an eye, the two were already several zhang apart, one in front and one behind.

Su Jin held the curtain, watching the two of them quite speechlessly for a moment before withdrawing her gaze and looking around.

The carriage had already reached the mountains. Fresh mud was fragrant, and dewdrops still clung to the grass blades along the roadside. Further away, the morning light was soft, and a ray of sunlight rimmed the clouds with gold.

Su Jin also dismounted and stood at the cliff edge with her hands behind her back. Mountain mists drifted past, brushing through her hair and clothes.

She gazed at the sky that was about to brighten and suddenly felt that the years were like tides—though there were ebbs and flows, there was still a moment of calm when they returned to the sea, just as the morning sun breaks through layers of clouds, vines climb ancient city walls, and the wooden clapper interrupts some tired old storytelling segment. In this world of rushing wind and driving rain, there are always places that bring peace to the heart.

—

**Author’s Note:**

Note: Huguang Circuit, Wuchang Prefecture roughly corresponds to Hunan, Hubei, and Wuhan City. During the Ming Dynasty, administrative regions were divided by “circuits.”

I read everyone’s comments yesterday and was terrified by your wild imaginations—even NP and 3P scenarios came up.

I hastily added a line in the author’s note saying “no NP.”

That’s right, NP will never happen in this lifetime.

There’s also a group of you panicking like startled horses. Let me tell you, stay calm—there’s absolutely no need to panic.

Trust me. No matter what happens, you should watch with a compassionate and joyful heart and believe that this author will always treat you well.

Besides, the most important goal for the male lead and male supporting characters in this story isn’t to gain the female lead’s love, but to gain your love. As long as you love them, they’ll be perfectly content.