While Duke Anguo’s residence underwent upheaval that captured the attention of all in the capital, Prince Pingnan’s residence was also having a difficult time.

By now, Prince Pingnan could barely even walk. The slightest agitation would cause him difficulty breathing, as if fire were burning in his chest.

Everyone in Prince Pingnan’s residence understood clearly—the Prince had become a cripple.

Princess Pingnan was troubled at heart, unable to eat all day long, worrying Wei Feng and his sister Wei Wen sick.

“Mother cannot go on like this. Little sister, you stay here and keep Mother company. I’ll go out and buy some tasty food to bring back.”

“Where does Second Brother plan to go?”

“To the Youjian Tavern.”

Hearing this, Wei Wen couldn’t help but furrow her brow. “Second Brother wants to go there?”

Ever since Father was ambushed, whenever she thought of the Youjian Tavern, she had no good feelings toward it—even a strange sense of aversion.

However, Wei Feng hadn’t thought so much about it.

Although Father had been ambushed after leaving the Youjian Tavern, the incident had nothing to do with the tavern itself.

Every day, officials and nobility went to eat at the Youjian Tavern—the taste went without saying. He hadn’t returned these past few days only because Father’s condition was poor, and he hadn’t had the leisure for it.

“Little sister has also tasted the food and wine from the Youjian Tavern, so you should know what the flavor is like. Mother hasn’t wanted to eat for so long—perhaps seeing dishes from the Youjian Tavern will give her an appetite.”

Wei Wen thought it over and reluctantly nodded. “Alright then, Second Brother should go quickly and return early.”

When Wei Feng arrived at the Youjian Tavern, though it was still early before opening time, he immediately spotted two people sitting by the window—one was Miss Luo, and the other was Prince Kaiyang.

Wei Feng couldn’t help but glance at the tavern’s main entrance.

At this time, the tavern’s doors were still closed, appearing cold and deserted.

He redirected his gaze back to the two people inside by the window.

So the rumors were actually true?

He really didn’t quite understand.

Miss Luo keeping male favorites was one thing, but she also played with snakes—she simply wasn’t a normal young lady at all. How could she be married and brought home as a wife?

Thinking of the future image of calling Miss Luo “Auntie,” the corner of Wei Feng’s mouth twitched slightly. He completely couldn’t continue that train of thought.

Wei Han, sitting by the window, had long since noticed Wei Feng but was too lazy to spare him even a glance.

He was discussing important matters with Miss Luo and hoped irrelevant people wouldn’t come to disturb them.

Luo Sheng had actually also noticed Wei Feng, but having just reached a crucial point in the conversation, naturally didn’t want to be distracted.

“Your Highness is saying that this organization began appearing seven years ago?”

Seven years ago—it sounded like nothing special, but thinking more about it, seven years ago was precisely when Wei Qiang became Crown Prince.

Logically, there shouldn’t be any connection between these two things, but she was particularly sensitive to time markers like “seven years ago” and “twelve years ago.”

“This organization is very cautious. Following the lead from Duke Anguo’s stable hand, we can only find out this much for now. When there’s further news, I’ll tell Miss Luo.” Wei Han looked at the young lady’s furrowed brow, and his fingers began to itch again.

He wanted to help Miss Luo smooth it out.

However, he could only think about it.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Luo Sheng lifted her teacup and took a sip.

Wei Feng stood at the tavern entrance for a moment, then pushed open the door.

The creaking sound of the door opening made the female proprietress look up. Seeing it was a young gentleman in fine robes, she hurried forward.

“Apologies, honored guest, but the tavern hasn’t opened yet—”

“I’m looking for someone.” Wei Feng frowned and walked around the female proprietress, heading toward Wei Han and the other person.

The female proprietress actually remembered Wei Feng’s identity. Turning her head and seeing that Luo Sheng showed no reaction, she no longer tried to stop him.

She was merely a frail female proprietress—how could she possibly block these imperial relatives and nobility?

“Uncle Prince is here too.” Wei Feng bowed to Wei Han.

Wei Han held his teacup and gave Wei Feng a cool glance. “Whom is Feng’er looking for at the tavern?”

Hearing the address “Feng’er,” Wei Feng nearly lost control of his facial expression.

He and this young Uncle Prince were the same age—calculated precisely, he was even a month older than this young Uncle Prince.

Even calling him “Heir Apparent” would sound more pleasant than calling him “Feng’er.”

If he’d been addressed this way from their first meeting, that would be one thing, but the key issue was that this Uncle Prince acted on whim—sometimes calling him Heir Apparent, sometimes calling him Feng’er.

Every single time caught him completely unprepared.

Grumbling internally, Wei Feng could only smile as he replied, “This nephew has come looking for Miss Luo.”

“Mm.” Wei Han expressionlessly set down his teacup.

Luo Sheng looked at Wei Feng and proactively asked, “What matter brings Young Prince here looking for me?”

Perhaps because it was now winter, Wei Feng felt the chill in the main hall was rather heavy. Hunching his shoulders, he said, “I wonder if the tavern has any relatively light dishes?”

“Light dishes?” Luo Sheng’s peripheral vision swept toward the kitchen. “The fish head and fishball hotpot we introduced not long ago is light and flavorful, quite favored by diners.”

Hearing it was a hotpot, Wei Feng’s eyes dimmed and he shook his head. “A hotpot isn’t very convenient to take away.”

Wei Han coolly interjected, “The Youjian Tavern doesn’t do takeout.”

The corner of Luo Sheng’s mouth twitched.

Rules were dead, but people were alive. She hadn’t even said anything yet—how had Prince Kaiyang learned to jump in with answers?

Times had changed. Previously, to lure Prince Pingnan into the trap, she’d established the rule that the tavern’s food couldn’t be taken out. But when necessary, it could also be changed.

Just at this moment, Zhuang Han came in through the rear door of the main hall carrying a food box. He said to Luo Sheng, “Proprietor, this humble one is going to deliver food to the Divine Physician.”

Watching Zhuang Han walk out of the tavern carrying that enormous food box, Wei Feng withdrew his gaze and silently looked at Wei Han.

What about the rule that takeout wasn’t allowed? What was that massive food box that burly man was carrying?

The atmosphere was sinking into silence when another ordinary-looking young man walked in from outside the tavern. After greeting Luo Sheng, he asked Hong Dou, who was cracking melon seeds, “Big Sister, is the food packed yet?”

Hong Dou spat out a seed shell and pouted. “Wait for it.”

The little maid twisted around and went into the kitchen. Shortly after, she emerged carrying a food box, which she handed to the young man with a stern face. “Here, hold it carefully.”

The young man broke into a smile. “Many thanks, Big Sister.”

Hong Dou rolled her eyes and sat back down to continue cracking melon seeds.

Big Sister, Big Sister… would these people die if they called her Sister Hong Dou?

Wei Feng’s gaze once again followed the young man’s departure, then silently looked at Wei Han.

Although the food box the young man was carrying was more than a size smaller than the one the burly man had carried, he could still see it!

“Ahem.” Wei Feng cleared his throat lightly and asked Luo Sheng, “Miss Luo, doesn’t the tavern do takeout?”

Wei Han also silently looked at Luo Sheng.

That the tavern didn’t do takeout was something Miss Luo had told him personally—how had it changed?

Luo Sheng sipped her tea and said calmly, “Previously we didn’t allow takeout, but considering that some diners have special circumstances, we accommodate them.”

Wei Han downed a mouthful of tea.

The tea was bitter, spreading across his tongue.

Special?

He’d already consumed tens of thousands of taels of silver—could he not receive Miss Luo’s special accommodation?

Thinking this way, Wei Han only felt the tea he’d drunk was even more bitter.

Hearing Luo Sheng say this, Wei Feng’s heart relaxed slightly.

He’d experienced Miss Luo’s difficult nature before. If she truly insisted that takeout wasn’t allowed, this trip would have been for nothing.

Little sister didn’t have a second gold-inlaid seven-treasure bracelet.

Thinking this, Wei Feng unconsciously glanced at Luo Sheng’s wrist. Seeing that familiar bracelet, he was somewhat surprised.

Miss Luo was actually still wearing it—it seemed she truly liked this bracelet.

Wei Han set his teacup down on the table, the sound it made causing Wei Feng to instantly snap back to attention.