As soon as the words fell, the stall owner blew a sharp whistle, and suddenly several bailiffs appeared from all around, holding knives and surrounding them.

Shen Qiyuan instinctively protected Ruyi behind him. Supreme Lord watched and blew his beard: “What are you protecting her for? Does she need protection? You should at least protect me, this old man!”

Shen Qiyuan ignored him, only frowning at these bailiffs: “The three of us are passing through Lin’an with complete travel permits and credentials. Why are you surrounding us?”

“He carries a sword and has superior martial arts—if we don’t surround you, who should we surround?” The stall owner, who had been so friendly just moments before, suddenly raised a cleaver with a fierce expression: “I think he looks quite like that black market gang leader who’s still on the run. Let’s take him back to the yamen for questioning first.”

Black market gang leader?

Ruyi raised an eyebrow and suddenly examined this tea stall carefully: “Wait.”

She put her hands on her hips with amusement: “Are your bosses surnamed Hua and He?”

“There’s also one surnamed Zhao.” The stall owner instinctively responded, then found it strange: “How do you know?”

Shen Qiyuan shook his head helplessly: “Even the flood washed over the Dragon King’s temple. Let’s go, it’s perfect timing to take me back to the yamen for a look.”

Seeing he didn’t intend to resist, several bailiffs came up to tie the three of them with hemp rope one by one and brought them back to the Ministry of Justice.

The stall owner walked at the front, and as soon as he entered, he claimed credit when he saw someone: “Sister Man, look what I caught! Don’t I deserve a good meal for this?”

Fuman thought he had caught the real culprit, her eyes lit up as she looked back.

“Ru, Ruyi?!” It would have been better not to look—once she saw, she immediately called out.

The stall owner was startled. Before he could marvel that Sister Man wasn’t mute, he saw her rush over, and then his forehead received a knock from Lord Zhao behind him.

“You’re good at catching people.” He praised through gritted teeth, then also went up to untie the ropes.

Shen Qiyuan rubbed his wrists, glanced at the official robes they wore, and slightly raised an eyebrow: “Promoted?”

The two bowed in unison: “Sir, you’ve finally returned.”

Fuman’s eyes were red. After bowing, she pulled Ruyi aside and whispered: “Originally… originally you said you’d return by year’s end, but we saw no one.”

Ruyi smiled and patted her head: “Those aristocratic families in Huizhou were troublesome. The New Year was exactly when we were closing the net, so naturally it wasn’t good to leave. Now that the matter is finished, I came to take a look.”

After hugging her firmly, Fuman hurriedly told her about recent events in Lin’an.

Although they had exchanged letters, some things couldn’t be written on paper. For instance, the black market case had been solved, implicating a total of twenty-seven officials, seven of whom were fifth rank or above, with the highest being a Grand Preceptor. Also, Qingyi had been taking the blame for others all along—the real black market gang leader had been living freely until recently when they got his portrait and issued a wanted notice.

She spoke excitedly, also somewhat choked up. Ruyi knew how difficult this journey had been, gently stroking her back: “It’s good that the truth has come to light.”

“You, you’re back this time, you’re not… not leaving again, right?” Fuman asked with shining eyes.

Ruyi scratched her earlobe: “Well, although the Huizhou matter is resolved, His Majesty’s transfer order hasn’t come down yet, so I’m afraid we’ll have to go back once more.”

Her smile collapsed, and Fuman felt like crying again from grief.

Ruyi was somewhat at a loss, but still comforted her gently until she turned tears into laughter.

The three were kept in a separate courtyard for a meal. Originally just five people, but they used such a large table that Ruyi couldn’t help saying, “Am I supposed to lie down to eat?”

“If you lie down to eat, where will I sit?” A voice sounded behind her.

Ruyi turned around to see He Tinglan striding in, gold and silver hairpins on her head, silk and satin on her body, with a fresh-faced young man following behind her.

She clicked her tongue, couldn’t help reaching out to wave in front of Tinglan: “Is this reality or a mirror?”

Everyone burst into laughter. Tinglan also hit her once, then took her arm to sit down: “My small, wealthy merchant airs are nothing compared to your former style. But speaking of which, money has been really easy to make these past few years. Everyone’s rushing to spend, I just need to hold out a bag and silver comes pouring in.”

Ruyi was about to say she was too arrogant when someone else entered from outside: “Cut it out. If I hadn’t brought people to protect you, your business wouldn’t have been so easy.”

It was Song Zhenshan’s voice. Ruyi’s eyes lit up as she immediately looked beside him: “Zhaoying!”

Li Zhaoying had shed her former mischievous girlish ways. Her hair was styled high, her belly slightly rounded, and her entire being seemed covered in a soft glow.

Seeing her, she was so happy that tears appeared in her eyes: “Sister Ruyi!”

Song Zhenshan frowned and wiped her tears: “No crying, be careful of your health.”

Li Zhaoying sniffled but still leaned against Ruyi pitifully: “I wrote you a letter last time, why didn’t you reply?”

Ruyi blinked: “Which time? I replied to all the ones I received.”

Shen Qiyuan coughed lightly. She looked back at him and slowly remembered from his expression: “That wasn’t me deliberately not replying.”

It was that time when the letter had just arrived, and they had gotten passionate in the study, sweeping everything off the desk. That letter was probably tucked in some book and never found.

“As long as you weren’t angry with me.” She breathed a long sigh of relief, then smiled: “Finally waited for you to come back.”

“Coming back without telling anyone in advance!” Zhou Tingchuan also ran in from outside, panting: “Almost didn’t make it in time.”

Zhao Yanning teased him as soon as she saw him: “Minister Zhou has been on a bright career path lately, naturally, he’s busy. We all thought you wouldn’t come and didn’t prepare your bowl and chopsticks.”

Ruyi looked up. After a year apart, the little adult had become a proper adult. Perhaps from being with Shen Qiyuan for so long, this person also had an imposing aura, though he quickly restrained it in front of them, then respectfully bowed to Shen Qiyuan.

Shen Qiyuan nodded: “You’re doing well.”

Zhou Tingchuan grinned and sat down openly, taking a set of bowl and chopsticks: “My portion must be included, but Qingyi’s can be saved—he was just summoned by the Eastern Palace for an appointment and can’t come.”

“Oh?” Ruyi raised an eyebrow. “Last letter said he was only appointed as a minor cavalryman, and now he’s getting an Eastern Palace appointment?”

“He doesn’t dare show off in front of you, afraid you’ll scold him.” Zhou Tingchuan laughed. “For merit in rescuing the emperor, he’s about to get the position of Regular Palace Attendant. That’s bringing honor to his ancestors.”

They all had good prospects now. Ruyi nodded with satisfaction. Even if they no longer lived together, having such a group of friends who could gather at any time was quite wonderful.

Cups clinked together, and the lively evening banquet began.

With a bright moon and sparse stars, as soon as Qingyi left the palace gates, he spurred his horse to gallop wildly, nearly overturning several stalls in his haste. Despite rushing, by the time he arrived, only the empty large round table remained in the separate courtyard.