Thinking about the weight of those eight thousand taels, Wen Zhenxue, no matter how unwilling, finally lowered her head: “Good sister, don’t joke with me. Quickly bring out your private seal to stamp it.”

Ruyi stared wide-eyed in surprise: “Is the Marquis’s wife trying to bully people with her power? You want me to stamp without settling the account?”

“You.” She was both angry and annoyed, slapping the table with her palm. “You dare accept eight thousand taels in reward money—aren’t you afraid I’ll report you to the magistrate?”

“The amount of reward money has always depended on the master’s intentions. If the Marquis’s wife has generous intentions toward me, what can I do?” Ruyi spread her hands innocently. “I can’t very well refuse, can I? On such a joyous day, that would be most disagreeable.”

“Madam, don’t glare at me either. The guests will disperse in just one incense stick’s time. You’d better bring out the banknotes to settle the account now, or if I have to collect from each guest individually today, tomorrow the Marquis Manor will become the biggest joke in all of Lin’an.”

The marquis manor naturally couldn’t afford to lose such face, but those eight thousand taels couldn’t just be given away for nothing either, could they?

Wen Zhenxue’s face alternated between flushed and purple. Seeing Ruyi rise to leave, she couldn’t care about anything else and quickly ordered the maids and matrons behind her: “Hold her down for me!”

“Yes.”

If she let these people hold her down, she’d never be able to mix in society again after word got out.

Ruyi laughed coldly, spun around, and leaped toward the door, moving so fast that the people in the room couldn’t even touch her sleeve.

“Stop right there!” Several old women cursed and chased after her.

Ruyi walked leisurely to the courtyard. Just as she was about to climb over the wall, she caught sight of someone from the corner of her eye.

She paused, the corner of her mouth curving up playfully. Her embroidered shoes stopped moving, letting the people behind catch up and grab her wrist.

“Where do you think you’re running?” The old woman’s face was vicious as she shouted.

Wei Zijue turned at the sound.

Before his eyes, the young lady from earlier was being held by several villains. Her beautiful face had turned pale from fright, and her body swayed like a broken kite.

In her panic, she saw him. A ripple appeared in her long eyes, softly spreading like moonlight. Wind brushed past her hair, falling by her temples, fragile and helpless.

His body reacted faster than his mind. Without thinking, he rushed forward: “Let her go!”

Several old women were startled by his armor and stepped back. Ruyi looked up to see him standing in front of her, asking somewhat anxiously: “What’s happening? Why are they grabbing you?”

She couldn’t help but smile.

Shen Qiyuan was like a cold fox, but Wei Zijue was her most loyal hound. Even though he didn’t remember her, he would still protect her unconditionally.

Wei Zijue was dazzled by her sudden brilliant smile, somewhat helplessly gripping his sword sheath: “You…”

“I’m the owner of Huixian Restaurant.” She lazily bowed to him. “I came to collect payment for today’s banquet, but the marquis manor’s mistress refuses to pay and even wants to capture me.”

“What nonsense are you spouting!” The nearby matron became agitated. “Don’t slander our mistress—the money was given to you.”

“By Great Qian’s rules, first stamp the seal, then settle the account.” Ruyi spread her hands. “Is my private seal on the account statement?”

Even if taken to court, it would be judged by the seal as evidence.

Wen Zhenxue had to pay the price for her impulsiveness.

The matrons were left speechless. Wei Zijue looked at their guilty expressions and frowned: “Come, I’ll take you to speak with the marquis.”

Ruyi smiled at him: “Thank you, General.”

Seeing the situation turn bad, the matron quickly said: “Please wait, General and proprietress. We’ll go fetch the banknotes right now. The marquis is busy hosting guests today—it wouldn’t be good to trouble him with this matter.”

Though the eight thousand taels in banknotes were painful to lose, if today’s wedding banquet became a laughingstock, that would truly anger the marquis and old madam to death.

Gritting her teeth, the old woman went back to relay the message to Wen Zhenxue.

Wei Zijue breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he turned to say something, he discovered the person beside him was looking at him.

Her eyes were very deep, containing a dim light within. Staring into them for even a moment seemed capable of drawing away one’s soul.

Awkwardly turning his head away, Wei Zijue was silent for a moment before suddenly asking: “Have I met the young lady somewhere before?”

Ruyi smiled: “Yes, we’ve met—just a few hundred years ago.”

She spoke the truth, but to mortal ears it sounded absurd, so it could only be taken as another way of saying they were fated.

They were indeed too fated. Though they had just met, he couldn’t help wanting to protect her, even wanting to give her everything he had.

This was too crazy.

Somewhat fearfully stepping back two paces, Wei Zijue created distance between them.

Ruyi noticed his movement and laughed lightly: “The General fears neither thousands of troops nor ten thousand horses on the battlefield, yet you fear me, a weak woman?”

“No.” He instinctively refuted but didn’t dare approach her again.

She withdrew her gaze and said no more, just waiting for those matrons to return.

Wen Zhenxue was caught in a dilemma. Though she angrily smashed things, she could only have someone bring the banknotes to her. However, this time they were more careful, making Ruyi stamp first.

Ruyi was also generous, stamping the seal before accepting the banknotes.

“All settled.” She smiled brightly. “I wish the madam and marquis a hundred years of harmony and early birth of precious children.”

The words were good, but the person listening felt no joy whatsoever.

Ruyi didn’t care either, waving the banknotes as she walked out.

That person’s gaze had been fixed on her the whole time. She knew, but she didn’t turn her head, just waiting to see when he would speak up.

One, two, three.

“Miss.” Wei Zijue called out to her with difficulty.

He had too many doubts in his heart and instinctively felt he couldn’t just pass by this person like this. After hesitating for a long while, he finally spoke: “The banquet is about to end. Would the young lady be willing to go to Lion Tower with me for a chat?”

It sounded improper, so he quickly added with a red face: “An elder in my family is having a birthday. I’ve been away from Lin’an too long and am not familiar with restaurants and banquets. I’d like to ask the young lady for advice.”

The woman before him looked at him with a smile, that gaze seeming to see through all his thoughts.

Just as he was feeling mortified, she nodded: “Very well. Please lead the way, General.”

Still wearing his armor and having no time to bid farewell to Zeyou, Wei Zijue still followed her, step by step, as if he had been doing so for many years.

Though there had been some warm sunshine today, by the time the banquet ended, snow was already mixed in with the wind outside.

Zhou Tingchuan sat on the carriage shaft, looked at the sky, and couldn’t help saying: “We should have brought out a different carriage. Why did we choose this one with thin curtains today?”

A small cluster of snow blew into the carriage with the wind, landing on his sleeve without melting for a long time.

Shen Qiyuan lowered his head, moved his somewhat stiff and cold fingers, and said mockingly: “Yes, why did I insist on choosing this carriage?”

That person, whom would she feel sorry for? He was only tormenting himself.

“Tingchuan.” He closed his eyes and asked: “Has it been half an hour?”

It had been past time long ago, but Zhou Tingchuan paused and answered with pursed lips: “Still short by one incense stick’s time.”

“Mm.” Shen Qiyuan didn’t expose him. “Then let’s not wait for her. Let’s go.”