Although Li Shiyan had visited Ning’an Manor several times before, he usually only went to see his uncle and would only stay briefly at the manor before leaving—he had never stayed overnight. This time was for Elder Li’s grand birthday celebration. Those attending would all be either wealthy or noble. Li Shiyan had grown up following his marquis father and was accustomed to such grand occasions, understanding how to handle polite social conventions. However, this time he wasn’t just paying a casual visit or checking in—he was going to offer birthday congratulations, so the ceremonial etiquette would naturally be different.

His temperament was easygoing and carefree, so he really couldn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t cause some incident.

Therefore, his heart was apprehensive.

He looked at Zhu Yao and said, “Don’t worry. A refined young lady like you understands etiquette far better than I do. I’m more afraid that I’ll be the one making a fool of myself and might even implicate you.”

Zhu Yao said, “I’m not afraid!”

Li Shiyan paused slightly, seeming not quite to understand the meaning behind her words.

Zhu Yao looked at him, her hands resting on her lap tightening slightly as she said earnestly, “As long as I can be with you, I’m not afraid of anything, because I believe you’ll protect me, just like both times I fell into the water, you were there beside me to rescue me.”

“That… Miss Zhu…”

“You used to call me Yao’er.”

Zhu Yao’s bright, luminous eyes looked at him. Her expectations weren’t high at all—she only hoped her sincere feelings could receive even the slightest bit of reciprocation from this man, even just a caring gesture or a gentle gaze would suffice.

However, in the end, she had still overestimated herself.

Toward her, Li Shiyan felt nothing beyond a trace of guilt and the politeness of basic respect. He averted his gaze with a smile and said, “Alright, Yao’er it is. I’ll call you Yao’er from now on.”

From beginning to end, he simply wouldn’t meet Zhu Yao’s gaze.

Perhaps the atmosphere inside the carriage was too awkward, and Li Shiyan truly couldn’t face Zhu Yao’s pitiful yet expectant eyes. Such a gaze always made him feel burdened with guilt.

Therefore—

“I’ll get out and take a look. We’ve been stuck here for so long, I wonder what’s happened. If we’re delayed much longer, it’ll probably be dark already.” With that, he climbed out of the carriage.

The moment his feet touched the ground, he felt much more at ease.

The coachman outside asked, “Young master, where are you going?”

He craned his neck to look ahead. There was a long line of vehicles ahead, showing no signs of movement at all. Could something have happened?

Or had a large tree fallen and blocked the road ahead?

But if that were the case, surely it wouldn’t remain completely stationary like this!

“What’s going on up ahead?” he asked.

The coachman said with a helpless tone, “I heard someone mention earlier that it seems… it seems the Su family’s horse won’t move and is just blocking the way ahead. Everyone sees it’s the Su family’s carriage and doesn’t dare urge them on, so they can only wait.”

Li Shiyan’s eyes brightened. “The Su family? General Su?”

“This humble one didn’t go look ahead myself, just heard a few things people said. I don’t know if it’s true or false.”

“Alright, you wait here. I’ll go up ahead and take a look.”

“Yes!”

Li Shiyan then walked briskly toward the front. Along the way, he naturally encountered several friends he usually associated with. Before he reached Su Ziluo’s carriage, he was grabbed by Second Young Master Zhao Quan of the Zhao residence, who had just jumped down from his carriage.

This person was the son of the Governor-General of Jiangguang and was usually an idle young master who loafed around in Yanjing City, famous for spending money lavishly. Reportedly, a few months ago, he had thrown down thousands of gold pieces for a courtesan and directly bought the entire brothel. Every day he would bring his brothers to visit the brothel. Later, his father discovered this and whipped him three times on the spot, then locked him up at home and forbade him from going anywhere. This time, for Elder Li’s birthday, the Governor-General of Jiangguang was busy with affairs, which was why he released him to personally go to Ning’an Manor to offer birthday congratulations.

Originally, he’d been worried about not encountering Li Shiyan on this trip. While sitting bored in his carriage, he had just stuck his head out when he saw a familiar figure. Truly, speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives.

He grabbed Li Shiyan and wouldn’t let go, asking, “I say, Shiyan, why didn’t you come with me? I went to your residence to find you, and they said you’d gone to Minister Zhu’s residence.”

Li Shiyan had always been close with Zhao Quan—they could be called sworn brothers. He pulled off the arm draped around his neck and twisted his neck, saying, “How did you get out? Your father isn’t confining you anymore?”

“Don’t mention it. Every time I think about it, I get irritated. This time, didn’t Prince Jing’an’s remains arrive in Yanjing? My father’s been terribly busy. If it weren’t for that, how could I have gotten out!”

Li Shiyan patted his shoulder and said, “We share the same fate—my father’s also busy with this matter.”

Zhao Quan suddenly raised his eyebrows and leaned close to him with a mischievous smile, his face full of gossip as he asked, “I heard that recently your father arranged a match for you with Minister Zhu’s precious daughter. How is it? Not bad, right? I heard people say that young lady is as beautiful as a flower. These past two years, quite a few people have gone to the Zhu residence seeking a marriage alliance, but Minister Zhu didn’t approve of any of them. You lucky devil managed to get such a great bargain. Have you been secretly celebrating for several days now?”

“Get lost!” Li Shiyan irritably jabbed him several times with his elbow. “Stop talking nonsense.”

Zhao Quan covered his chest, the smile on his face growing deeper as he said, “Why be shy? Taking a wife and having children isn’t anything shameful. If you become Minister Zhu’s son-in-law, that’s tremendous good fortune. I’d want to be in your position if I could. By the way, you went to Minister Zhu’s residence to pick up Miss Zhu, right? Why aren’t you properly watching over her? Where are you running off to?”

Li Shiyan felt that he was usually troublesome enough, but compared to Zhao Quan, he was nothing but an amateur.

For every one sentence he spoke, the other had already said ten.

He frowned and said, “Zhao Quan, oh Zhao Quan, you say this now, but if you truly liked Minister Zhu’s daughter, where were you earlier? If you’d made your move sooner, how would it have been my turn? Now you’re here making sarcastic remarks? Aren’t you afraid of choking on your own words?”

“You’re just showing off after getting a bargain. Such behavior really deserves a beating.” Zhao Quan tilted his head back, his nostrils flaring at him.

That appearance truly deserved a beating!

Li Shiyan was eager to find Su Ziluo up ahead and too lazy to continue bickering with him. He pushed him aside: “Stop being so petty with me. I’m going to check up ahead. If this keeps going, who knows what will happen.”

Just as he was about to leave, Zhao Quan pulled him back again, reminding him, “Brother, the carriage at the very front is General Su’s. Everyone doesn’t dare go urge them on. Even if your relationship with him is good, don’t go plucking fur from a tiger’s backside.”

“Ziluo isn’t as frightening as you all make him out to be.”

“Anyway, I’ve warned you. If you don’t listen, then go ahead.”

“Then stop blocking me.”

Zhao Quan stepped aside two paces to let him pass.

Li Shiyan gave him a cold glance, then strode away with a flick of his sleeve.