Shaoshang hesitated for only nine and three-quarters seconds, then excused herself to change clothes, smiling as she withdrew from the side hall with Lian Fang’s support. Compared to the little maid whose face had turned pale, Shaoshang didn’t even have a tremor in her fingertips.

Madam Xiao said that truly reliable people who could watch over and help each other didn’t need to be many—one was enough. This statement made great sense. Shaoshang didn’t want to lose a powerful ally on her future path because of her own stubbornness. She could naturally find all sorts of clever excuses to refuse, or even go find Lou Yao to accompany her, but with someone as formidable as Ling Buyi, the best way to interact was to be as sincere as possible, rather than using a pile of “clever” tricks.

Shaoshang had originally been hesitating about how to go over, but who knew Ling Buyi’s method would be simple and effective—just using two ordinary thin silk cloaks to cover the master and servant’s heads and faces, then walking over openly like that. Today there were many young ladies in the garden, and passing servants wouldn’t come forward to question them. After walking just a few steps, master and servant arrived at a secluded tree-lined path. There stood a tall, slender young gentleman in brocade robes, hands clasped behind his back, standing quietly alone. Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned around.

Shaoshang sighed inwardly but piled a very standard smile on her face, bowing with clasped hands: “I wonder what Commander Ling…”

Before she finished speaking, Ling Buyi suddenly said: “Did you come over as soon as you heard I was looking for you, or did you only come after your maid relayed my third statement?”

Shaoshang’s smile stiffened. She immediately said seriously: “Commander Ling not only saved this humble woman’s life but has repeatedly assisted me. Such warm-hearted benevolence, naturally this humble woman would…”

“Mm, so you only came after hearing the third statement.” Ling Buyi said unhurriedly.

Shaoshang: …

“You speak constantly of unforgettable gratitude, but what about your actions?” Ling Buyi’s face still wore a smile, but his words had already turned cold. “This shows that speaking to you of sentiments is completely useless—you’ll only come after hearing threatening words. This is how you treat your benefactor.”

Shaoshang’s forehead felt faintly hot. She said urgently: “No, no! I’m not an ungrateful person. Commander Ling, if you were the same age and appearance as my Uncle Wan, I would have rushed over immediately! Sir, you’re so good-looking, and in the prime of… ah no, and so young in age, I… how would I dare casually approach! You don’t know—just now when you stood over there, the young ladies in the hall all went crazy. If someone saw me with you, I’m afraid I wouldn’t see tomorrow morning’s sunrise!”

Ling Buyi said: “Mm, do you usually see the sunrise every morning?”

Shaoshang once again: …

“Zhang Shan said that those mornings when you had to lead people to set out with the carriage train, your face when you emerged looked worse than if you’d seen ten nests of bandits. You probably don’t rise early often?” Ling Buyi’s eyes already carried amusement.

Shaoshang wanted to argue that it was because of travel fatigue and journey discomfort, but thinking that the Cheng residence carriage train had departed from the capital over a month ago, this excuse was too far-fetched. She could only say sheepishly: “General Zhang seems very taciturn…” How could he be such a gossip!

“Miss also seems very grateful for kindness received.” Ling Buyi said flatly.

Shaoshang was so anxious her forehead broke out in sweat: “I am grateful for kindness! That day’s life-saving grace is vivid before my eyes, I, I…” In her desperation, she attacked again: “Commander Ling, truly heroic gentlemen never expect repayment for their kindness!”

“Did I ask you to climb mountains of blades or descend into seas of fire? It’s only condescending to meet once, yet even that can’t be obtained. In the future, if I truly have difficulties and come to seek help, I’m afraid I won’t even be able to enter your family’s gate.”

Ling Buyi possessed peerless beauty, but his manner of speaking was sharp as knives and swords, showing no mercy whatsoever.

Shaoshang was choked with anger, finally meeting her match in verbal sparring and admitting defeat. She bowed with clasped hands: “Commander Ling, this humble woman was wrong, truly wrong! I should have rushed over without a second word upon hearing your summons.” This was truly an epoch-making moment—counting kindergarten, elementary through high school plus university, she had never admitted fault so sincerely.

“What if there’s a next time?” Ling Buyi said.

Shaoshang clasped her hands toward heaven and said loudly: “Then let villains cook and eat me!” This was the most terrible poisonous oath for her.

Ling Buyi looked at the girl quietly for a while, his smile carrying a melancholy tinge: “Keep me company for a walk.”

Shaoshang wiped away sweat and quickly nodded, stepping forward to accompany him.

Lian Fang followed distantly behind. Though that Commander Ling was good-looking, he was terribly frightening. Even when smiling and speaking, he implicitly carried a murderous coldness. Her own young miss had considerable courage—not only daring to argue and deny, but even daring to make foolish oaths.

This tree-lined path was very secluded, winding and deep. Though Ling Buyi was tall with long legs, he deliberately slowed his steps to let the girl walk alongside him. Shaoshang walked beside him, turning her head up to look. She only felt his shoulders were broad, his back extending like a mountain ridge, his facial features deep and handsome. He walked slowly like this without saying a word, his brow deeply furrowed, as if weighed down with worries, like the silent deities of ancient times in oil paintings.

Though he was the same age as Yuan Shen, Shaoshang always felt he was older than all of them. She dared to verbally spar with Yuan Shen but never dared to act presumptuously before Ling Buyi—probably because he was a man who was truly “mature” in the real sense.

No matter how slowly one walked, there would be an end. “Commander Ling, there’s no more path.” Shaoshang was startled.

It turned out this tree-lined path was a dead end. Turning left led to the terminus, where a small carved stone table in the form of a crouching tiger was placed, plus two stone stools.

Ling Buyi softly hummed: “Yes, we’ve reached the end.” He was silent for a moment, then lifted his garment hem to sit on a stone stool. “Keep me company while I sit.”

Shaoshang quickly also sat on a stone stool, looking all around. She discovered this place was secluded and cool, as if situated deep among hundreds of flowers—the flower fragrance was penetrating, yet the cold went unnoticed.

The two were wordless. After sitting for only moments, Ling Buyi suddenly said in a deep voice: “Someone’s coming.”

Shaoshang’s face changed drastically as she stood up in panic: “What, what should we do?! What should we do?” Were they coming to catch adulterers?! But this was a dead end—there was nowhere to escape!

“Don’t be afraid. You and your maid hide over there.” Ling Buyi pointed toward the flower wall in the corner.

Shaoshang focused her gaze and silently sighed—what a good place! Then she immediately pulled the ice-cold Lian Fang, crouching and ducking inside.

Moments later, only hearing hurried footsteps, Shaoshang looked through the dense branches and leaves to see two richly dressed young ladies hand in hand running over breathlessly—it was actually Wang Xi and Lou Xi.

“Eleventh Young Master, it really is you?!” Wang Xi was overjoyed, hastily arranging her clothes and hair. “Just now A’Xi’s family’s maid said she saw you come this way. I didn’t believe it.”

Lou Xi ran until her cheeks were flushed red, her eyes fixed firmly on Ling Buyi: “…Didn’t she say you came this way with two women? Where are they?”

Ling Buyi looked at them coldly, his eyes like sharp swords. Lou Xi was frightened into silence.

Wang Xi immediately pulled Lou Xi, signaling her to be quiet, then turned and smiled: “The maid must have seen wrong. Eleventh Young Master is here alone seeking peace and quiet.”

Ling Buyi said: “Since you know I’m here seeking peace and quiet, both of you should leave.”

Wang Xi and Lou Xi were extremely embarrassed, not knowing what to say. Finally Wang Xi reacted quickly and smiled: “Aunt often mentions Eleventh Young Master, saying another year has passed and you’re still alone, which makes her very concerned.”

“The Empress said this?” Ling Buyi said coldly. “If the Empress didn’t say this, does Miss Wang know her crime?”

Wang Xi was completely dumbfounded and hurriedly said: “No, no, no! I often accompany her in the palace. Though Aunt didn’t say it aloud, I know what’s in her heart! Both Aunt and His Majesty hope Eleventh Young Master will take a wife!” Her own aunt certainly wouldn’t push her niece to accept punishment.

“Marry whom? You, Miss Wang?” Ling Buyi didn’t even move from his sitting posture.

Wang Xi’s face immediately flushed to her ears. She had such intentions herself but was too embarrassed to say it aloud. Who knew Lou Xi beside her would hurriedly say: “What’s wrong with that! Sister A’Xi has exceptional talent and beauty…”

“I like beautiful women.” Ling Buyi suddenly interrupted.

Wang Xi was stunned. Lou Xi’s mouth was quick: “How is Sister A’Xi not beautiful?”

Having asked this question, Shaoshang behind the flower wall nearly laughed herself into convulsions—these truly were close cousins, as foolish as Lou Yao.

Sure enough, Ling Buyi directly asked Wang Xi: “Do you consider yourself extremely beautiful?”

Wang Xi’s entire body immediately went cold, feeling deeply insulted. She naturally thought her looks weren’t bad, but she couldn’t withstand such interrogation.

Lou Xi knew she’d misspoken but refused to concede: “Eleventh Young Master’s words are mistaken. In marrying a wife, one marries virtue…”

Ling Buyi ignored the little girl and directly asked Wang Xi again: “Do you consider yourself extremely virtuous?”

Wang Xi could no longer endure. Overwhelmed with shame, holding back tears, she stamped her foot and fled. Lou Xi glared at Ling Buyi resentfully and also ran after her.

Only after they’d run far did Ling Buyi say: “Come out, don’t hold it in anymore.”

Lian Fang stepped out first, supporting her young miss whose face was completely red from laughing, still bearing the marks from firmly covering her mouth with her hands. Shaoshang wasn’t a good person to begin with, and Wang Xi had been at odds with her, so she felt not half a trace of pity. Though Lou Yao had also scolded his cousin after that day when Lou Xi tried to humiliate her, Shaoshang felt only now was she truly satisfied!

After quite a while, when Shaoshang had laughed enough, she finally calmed her emotions and sat properly beside the stone table.

“Tell me about your childhood.” Ling Buyi’s expression was gentle.

Shaoshang’s expression immediately turned cold. She least liked recalling her childhood: “When I was young, my luck was bad. There’s nothing else to say.”

Ling Buyi quietly watched the cold sharpness in the girl’s eyes, the corners of his mouth curving slightly: “What a coincidence. When I was young, my luck was also bad, and there’s also nothing to say.”

“Then why not talk about Commander Ling’s interesting experiences when studying civil and martial arts?” Shaoshang made conversation where there was none.

Ling Buyi said: “Studying literature and martial arts were both very bitter—studying fiercely, practicing fiercely. What interesting experiences are there to tell?”

Shaoshang silently thought: What a coincidence—she also felt studying was very bitter and not at all interesting.

The two sat silently facing each other for moments, so long that Lian Fang to the side was nearly crying—this kind of silence was so frightening!

“What do you plan to do in the future?” Ling Buyi said. “I mean, besides marrying.”

Shaoshang’s eyes brightened. She had many plans for this: “I want to gather many physicians and combine everyone’s medical skills and knowledge into volumes—perhaps it could benefit the world. I also want to improve those cumbersome farming tools—not only could it save manpower, but it could produce more grain. You don’t know—purely using human power to plow fields is truly too bitter. Many farmers develop illnesses all over their bodies while still young, unable to straighten their backs before they’re even old. And also, I also want to build a workshop, not very large. I’ve drawn some interesting things and want to see if they can be created…”

She stopped speaking because Ling Buyi was looking at her without blinking. Shaoshang said embarrassedly: “This humble woman is too presumptuous. I’ve made Commander laugh.”

Ling Buyi shook his head, handsome as a jade mountain tilting: “Continue speaking.”

Shaoshang realized she’d gotten carried away just now and quickly twisted back to propriety: “Also assisting my husband and teaching children, being filial to elders.”

Ling Buyi’s expression turned cold, his pale right hand lightly tapping on the stone table: “Vulgar!”

Shaoshang retorted: “Just now you threatened my maid saying you’d marry me! Now you think I’m vulgar!”

Ling Buyi said completely seriously: “Marrying me wouldn’t be vulgar. Marrying anyone else is all very vulgar.”

Shaoshang covered her sleeve and laughed, her eyes curving into crescents, looking even more like a joyful jade doll.

Ling Buyi raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile: “How do you know I was threatening? Perhaps I truly have such intentions.”

Shaoshang sighed helplessly: “Commander Ling, no matter how busy you are, before today you surely wouldn’t have lacked opportunity to mention marriage to His Majesty. Since you haven’t mentioned it, you naturally have no such intention. Please don’t tease this humble woman.”

“…You speak very correctly.” Ling Buyi’s expression faded, then he suddenly said: “Perhaps I only love illicit affairs.”

Shaoshang blinked: “Then, then His Majesty might be pleased.” Best if the illicit affair produced results.

Ling Buyi was rarely stunned. After understanding, he laughed heartily. After moments passed, he laughed and said: “You even dare mention His Majesty—I haven’t settled accounts with you yet. You went off to get engaged yourself, yet caused me to receive a thorough scolding from His Majesty, saying things like ‘other young men are so worry-free, reaching the proper age and finding their own beloved young ladies, yet you’re so clueless,’ even reproaching me for being unfilial!”

Shaoshang imagined the scene and inexplicably felt a sense of satisfaction, suppressing a smile.

Ling Buyi watched her laugh happily, saying word by word: “Shaoshang, you are the most enthusiastic, most courageous young lady toward life that I’ve ever seen. No matter what difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, you always cut through thorns and brambles to walk through them.”

Seeing the girl’s face full of disbelief, he continued: “I grew up in the palace from childhood and have seen quite a few women who were also very enthusiastic and courageous, but they were enthusiastic about fame and profit, courageous toward power and influence. Not like you, thinking about these things instead…” In his life, he most detested those who scrambled for advantage, yet hearing and seeing the girl before him making various active calculations, he didn’t dislike it.

Shaoshang was somewhat puzzled—was this praise? She laughed dryly: “The palace also has people indifferent to fame and profit.”

Ling Buyi smiled faintly: “Apart from those who can’t leave, why would people truly indifferent to fame and profit stay in the palace?”

Shaoshang inexplicably understood these words and said softly: “Everyone loves fame and profit, but I’m naturally not likable by nature. Some paths are innately impassable for me.”

Ling Buyi smiled slightly: “Who said that? You’ve already gained many people’s affection.”

Shaoshang shook her head: “No. If others knew my true nature, few people would like me.” Anyway, any lies she told would be exposed by him—better to tell the truth.

Ling Buyi’s smile slowly froze, his eyes fixed firmly on the girl, lost and bereft: “What another coincidence. If others truly knew me, probably few people would like me either.”

“Commander Ling jests. You should ask all the young ladies in the capital—they absolutely won’t agree!” Shaoshang clapped and laughed.

Ling Buyi was serious though: “It’s true. Even you—in the future if you know more about me, you’ll probably come to detest me.”

Shaoshang was stunned.

She finally understood why she always found this wonderful man so difficult to handle—because she couldn’t figure this person out.

She could understand Old Man Cheng, could understand Yuan Shen. Lou Yao was even more like an open book. But she had never been able to see through Ling Buyi.

However, since the conversation had reached this point, Shaoshang decided not to waste the opportunity. She cleared her throat, stood up seriously: “Commander Ling, this humble woman has something to say to you today. That you look upon me with favor, this humble woman is unspeakably grateful, but I, I…”

The next lines were somewhat shameful, but to avoid suspicion in the future, she gritted her teeth and said: “But I am a loyal woman. No matter how wonderful you are, sir, this humble woman is already betrothed to the Lou family’s son and naturally must be steadfastly loyal with no other intentions… Don’t laugh, you, you…”

This such righteous speech ended with Ling Buyi’s gentle laughter as he leaned on the stone table.

Shaoshang was furious: “Commander Ling, you, you… you look down on people too much!”

Ling Buyi propped himself up, still trembling lightly with laughter: “I know you’re a loyal woman. Continue speaking!”

Shaoshang turned to sit with her back on the stone stool, refusing to speak anymore.

“Don’t be afraid.” Ling Buyi stopped laughing. He knew what the girl was thinking and said gently: “This should be the last time I meet with you alone.”

Shaoshang quickly turned around: “You’re going traveling again? Where are you going to fight this time? Is it critical?”

“It’s not that. You’re going to marry. In the future, we must avoid suspicion.”

Ah?!—Shaoshang thought to herself: So you know we need to avoid suspicion!

Ling Buyi looked at the girl, his expression gentle: “Haven’t you always wanted to go outside with A’Yao? Don’t be anxious. I’ll find a way for you, look for a suitable place. Don’t accept any desolate mountains and evil waters just to escape family constraints—you can’t bear it.”

Shaoshang lowered her head, an indescribable feeling in her heart. She thought: So he saw through everything.

Ling Buyi stood up, hands clasped behind his back as he looked at the lush flowering trees all around: “Just now when I was across from you, I vaguely heard a few strains of flute music. Thinking carefully, I’ve never properly listened to you play the flute. Everyone says you play very well.”

His tone was calm, yet Shaoshang inexplicably felt sad and quickly said: “If Commander Ling wants to hear it, I’ll play for you right now.”

Ling Buyi seemed very pleased, then immediately shook his head: “Forget it, better not to listen. If after hearing once I want to hear again, that would also be troublesome. All right, we’ve talked. You should return now. I’ll sit a while longer.”

Shaoshang parted her lips then stopped. Actually, she didn’t know what she should say either. She respectfully stood and bowed, then led Lian Fang away. After walking a few steps, she looked back to see Ling Buyi looking up at the flowering trees in profile, lost in thought about who knows what—

Flowering trees shed petals of spring colors—pink, white, and deep rouge red—falling on the stone table, on his clothes, and on his ink-black long hair. Through the gentle flower petals and breeze, the handsome man before her eyes seemed as if he had never existed.

After one glance, Shaoshang turned and walked away, never looking back again.