The Emperor had now passed his mandate of heaven years, yet his bearing remained upright and vigorous. As long as he mounted a horse and drew a bow, the number of people in the entire capital who could be his match didn’t exceed one hand’s count, with the very first being the adopted son he had personally trained.

How could one conquer the realm without deaths? He understood this principle from the very beginning of his uprising. Which of the trusted ministers who fought their way out of seas of blood alongside him didn’t have family members and relatives either killed in battle or implicated and executed? Including himself—of three brothers, only the Emperor remained now. Of three sisters, only the eldest remained.

Yet none of those ministers who followed the dragon suffered as tragically as the Huo family. To help hold down enemy forces, the Huo family was almost entirely annihilated. Now Ling Buyi was the only bloodline left in this world from Elder Brother Huo.

The Emperor sometimes felt gratified by Ling Buyi’s steadfast decisiveness and brilliant noble character, but sometimes was displeased to see him too outstanding and exceptional. The Emperor often thought, if only his adopted son were like ordinary noble youths, or like his own sons—loving power and wealth, passionate about fine wine and hunting, accumulating concubines and taking secondary wives. If it were like this, the Emperor might be somewhat disappointed that he wasn’t more like Elder Brother Huo, but at least these things he could bestow.

But Ling Buyi was precisely not like this. He was melancholic and aloof like a wandering soul, neither befriending noble relatives or important ministers, nor accumulating guests and disciples. Except for his affection toward elders and siblings (here the Emperor meant himself and the Crown Prince), nothing else in this world seemed to concern him.

The Emperor knew that currently the top name on the capital’s list of good son-in-law prospects was Yuan Shanjian, son of Governor Yuan, but counting down from first place all the way to one hundred, Ling Buyi’s name didn’t appear. Not that Ling Buyi had anything wrong with him—it was truly that this young fellow’s actions were unpredictable. After Princess Yuchang and the Yuhou’s daughter successively hit walls, few households dared to step forward and invite snubs again.

A great man establishing himself in the world—if he doesn’t love fine horses and strong wine, doesn’t love beautiful concubines and fame and profit, must he go entangle himself with someone else’s fiancée?

Of course, the Cheng family’s young lady wasn’t someone else’s fiancée at first. According to what he learned from inquiring with his adopted son’s attendants just now, he had already met Miss Cheng several times before—first meeting at the Wan house, saving her life in Dongjun, meeting again at the imperial residence outside Huaxian, oh, and hurriedly seeing each other once outside the city gate, then today.

The Emperor’s thoughts were careful and keen. He rapidly reached two conclusions.

First, Ling Buyi had harbored feelings since the hunting lodge incident. Who knew the Lou and Cheng families would be like catching fire, moving so quickly? By the time he looked back and learned his sweetheart had already settled on a marriage engagement, he gave up hope and stopped forcing the matter.

Second, Ling Buyi truly did regard the Lou family’s young son as a younger brother, and likewise regarded Miss Cheng as his brother’s wife, thus taking extra care of her. Beyond this there was no other ambiguous intent.

Ling Buyi naturally spoke with clear wind and bright moon, but what was the actual truth? The Emperor stood up, pacing back and forth irritably in his sleeping tent, not even knowing himself which conclusion he hoped inclined toward.

If it were the former, should he have people quickly break off the engagement to fulfill Ling Buyi?! The Lou and Cheng families had after all formally settled the betrothal. Even as monarch, he couldn’t do something that would slight his ministers. But if it were the latter… The Emperor heavily sighed. That would be even worse than entangling himself with someone’s fiancée. At least then his adopted son wouldn’t have to be a wandering soul, and he would know where to sink his teeth.

The Empress, reading with a scroll in the tent, quietly watched the Emperor for quite a while before smiling: “What’s the matter with Your Majesty today? Are you troubled by great military and state affairs?”

“No, Zisheng was injured.” The Emperor kept his lips tight. “By the way, does the Empress remember that young lady from the Cheng family?”

The Empress raised her elegant brows, smiling: “How could I not remember? Mother complained to me about her several times, saying that young lady was coarse and mean-spirited, of poor character, and barely literate.”

“Mother’s words can only be half-believed. Speaking ill of someone before you out of the blue—does that show good upbringing?” The Emperor waved his sleeve and sat beside the Empress. “I recall Lord Tapu Lou once boasted to me that Miss Cheng said something like ‘only from desolation can great achievements be made’—though she may not be versed in literature, she clearly has considerable spirit!”

The Empress nodded: “That’s true. I’ve already reprimanded Mother. Captain Cheng and his wife were loyal to the nation and had no choice but to leave their daughter behind, resulting in Miss Cheng lacking proper upbringing. How can one mock her for this? Didn’t Your Majesty recently issue an edict bestowing marriage on the two families?”

The Emperor was choked up.

The Empress turned her head to recall for a moment, then said: “At that time Your Majesty also said Captain Cheng possessed both virtue and talent, though his family background was somewhat thin. However, the Lou family’s youngest son himself liked that young lady, which was more important than anything.”

The Emperor stroked his beard, saying sullenly: “…Yellow-mouthed children—what do they know about liking someone?”

The Empress felt the Emperor’s speech tonight was completely topsy-turvy. Was he approving of the young people’s mutual affection, or opposing their self-determined union or mismatched family status? She put down her bamboo scroll: “Your Majesty, something is on your mind?”

The Emperor sighed long and deep. He himself didn’t know what he truly wanted, and could only say: “…Zisheng refuses to recuperate in the palace. He insists on returning to his own place. I should have known not to bestow him a residence back then!”

“…Your Majesty can summon Zisheng into the palace.” The Empress suppressed her smile, remaining dignified and refined.

Who knew the Emperor would shake his head, continuing tonight’s topsy-turvy speaking style: “It’s also good for Zisheng to be at his own residence—” This way someone could visit to express thanks, if that young lady understood proper conduct.

…

Shaoshang of course understood proper conduct very well. Not only did she visit to express thanks, she expressed thanks three times in one breath!

The first day, the day after returning to the capital from Mount Tugao, Shaoshang had servants load a cart full of heavy gifts and invited Lou Yao, planning to go together to thank Ling Buyi. Who knew that before leaving the door, Lou Tapu specially took leave to come along.

Ling Buyi’s residence was only one ward away from the palace city. It was said to have originally been a certain prince’s palace from the previous dynasty—magnificent, tall and spacious, with flying eaves and ascending pillars, the buildings like soaring dragons and spreading phoenixes. Yet it was unbelievably vast and desolate. From the main gate all the way to the third courtyard’s main residence, except for the two teams of orderly and serious patrolling guards they passed, Shaoshang actually didn’t see a single female servant or maid.

Rather than saying this was a noble official’s residence, it was more like a military camp.

Even colder than the residence was the atmosphere of the sickbed visit.

Shaoshang and Lou Yao were very enthusiastic, and Lou Tapu was also very sincere. However, Ling Buyi seemed to possess a magical ability—no matter what topic others started, he could kill the conversation in two sentences. Before long, the three could only retreat outside.

Lou Yao thought Elder Brother Ling’s injury must be serious and he should be allowed to rest well.

Lou Tapu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself: Observing Ling Buyi’s cold and icy manner, he should have no particular thoughts toward his nephew’s fiancée.

Shaoshang, however, detected the displeasure beneath Ling Buyi’s polite and distant expression, thinking he probably wanted to discuss the Goose Return Tower matter with her, but with the Lou family uncle and nephew present, he couldn’t speak freely.

The second day, Shaoshang searched her father’s storeroom for several jars of injury medicine, planning to visit the sick again. Who knew Old Man Cheng and Madam Xiao insisted on following along. Shaoshang had no choice but to depart with her parents.

Ling Buyi was slightly warmer this time, though there was only this small difference—

“Fortunately Elder Brother you happened to pass by, otherwise Shaoshang would have fallen off the cliff.” “Mm, if I hadn’t been there, Shaoshang would have died.”

“Fortunately Lord Ling happened to pass by, otherwise our daughter would have fallen off the cliff.” “If I hadn’t been there, what would your daughter have done?”

A certain science student girl couldn’t get this ancient conversational art form, could only stupidly smile from the side. The Cheng couple’s expressions were complex. Soon, this day’s conversation again couldn’t continue. The family of three thus returned home.

On the third day, Shaoshang with astonishing persistence wanted to head to the Ling residence again. This time Madam Xiao directly dispatched her third son Shaogong to closely follow his daughter. On the road Shaoshang tried several times to shake him off. Cheng Shaogong said straightforwardly: “Niaoniao, save your energy. Mother said since you’re about to marry, to prevent suspicion, you’re not allowed to get too close to Lord Ling!”

Shaoshang sighed: Why didn’t anyone believe her relationship with Ling Buyi was pure?

Just when Shaoshang thought this sickbed visit would also come to nothing, she discovered today the Ling residence was unusually lively. The entrance was full of fine horses and precious carriages. The normally ice-cellar-like courtyard was full of guards and attendants.

The one who personally opened the main door for Shaoshang was the smiling young Liang Qiufei. He seemed completely unsurprised that Shaoshang had her brother accompanying her, and enthusiastically informed them: “Today His Highness the Crown Prince brought several noble guests to visit my lord. They’re currently feasting in the front courtyard.”

The heir apparent had come, so naturally they couldn’t bypass him and pretend not to see. The two siblings quickly went to the front hall to pay respects. Glancing up, Shaoshang was actually startled to see Yuan Shen among them. Yuan Shen wore moon-white scholar’s robes, full of refined handsomeness, and smiled distantly toward her.

The current Crown Prince had a very kind appearance, with a round face sporting a row of short whiskers below. Seeing the Cheng siblings bow down in the hall, he quickly raised his hands to request them to rise, even praising Cheng Shi a few words with standard phrases like ‘public loyalty to the nation, courage surpassing others.’

However mischievous Cheng Shaogong usually was, he was only a fourteen-year-old youth. At this time seeing the heir apparent, he was so excited he couldn’t even speak smoothly. Having only stuttered two sentences of “Your Highness, your subject, subject…” when a magnificently dressed young master beside him burst out laughing.

The siblings looked over—it was actually Young Marquis Ban they had seen at the Lou house that day. As soon as Young Marquis Ban laughed, he immediately cupped his hands apologetically: “Impolite, impolite. Third Young Master Cheng, don’t take offense. I’ve loved to laugh since childhood. It wasn’t directed at you.”

Cheng Shaogong wasn’t angry either, smiling: “No harm. If it were me, I would laugh too.” His nervousness having passed, he again resumed his natural carefree manner.

Yuan Shen glanced at the slender girl who had been sitting with lowered head below since entering, smiling: “His Highness the Crown Prince will have an aural treat today. This Third Young Master Cheng is skilled at playing the xun flute. I’ve heard friends praise him numerous times, saying he truly has the manner of an ancient gentleman.”

Seeing Cheng Shaogong was magnanimous and pleasant, handsome and refined, and hearing Yuan Shen praise him so, the Crown Prince felt some affection and smiled: “Very good, very good. Shaogong, you should join the席位 too. Drink heartily with us.”

Cheng Shaogong was very willing in his heart, but said with difficulty: “Today your subject accompanied his younger sister to thank Lord Ling for his life-saving grace.”

The Crown Prince smiled amiably: “Zisheng is injured and cannot drink alcohol. He’s resting in the back room. Let the young lady go give thanks herself…”

Before he finished speaking, a young master with a shrill voice spoke up: “Zisheng casually helped someone out, yet some people use the pretext of giving thanks to actually get close to him, sticking like cowhide, entangling endlessly.”

Shaoshang suddenly raised her head. The young masters in the hall all felt dazzled before their eyes—jade and snow producing beauty, bright as flowers. They all secretly thought, this Cheng family young lady is actually quite good-looking. That Lou family young man has good fortune.

Yuan Shen’s face changed drastically. Just as he was about to retort sarcastically at this person, who knew a princeling sitting beside him who was drinking alone suddenly said: “Wang Long, you dare spread rumors about the Eleventh Young Master? Are you tired of living? Last time he hung you from the high eaves of Feifeng Pavilion to blow in the cold wind for two hours—have you forgotten?”

“You?!” That young master called Wang Long felt ashamed and angry. His angry appearance increasingly resembled his sister Wang Xi.

The Crown Prince saw the two about to quarrel and rebuked in a low voice: “A’Long, shut up! Fourth Brother, why bring that up?!”

Cheng Shaogong was still indignant, wanting to seek justice for his younger sister: “Young Master Wang, what you just said…”

“This is Young Master Wang?” Shaoshang suddenly spoke, politely saying, “This young lady has met your sister before…”

Wang Long and the Fourth Prince stopped their dispute. The young masters also turned their heads to hear the girl speak.

“…That was at a Wan family banquet. The first time we met, we quarreled,” the girl smiled slightly, “at that time it was over Lord Ling. Who would have thought that today, meeting Young Master Wang for the first time, we’d argue over Lord Ling again.”

With a ‘puchi’ sound, Young Marquis Ban again couldn’t help but laugh.

Yuan Shen suppressed his laughter, quickly adding salt to the wound: “Young Marquis Ban has loved to laugh since childhood. It’s definitely not directed at you, Young Master Wang. Please don’t blame him.”

The Fourth Prince also smiled: “Wang Long, if you still want to speak about Miss Cheng, please let everyone discuss the bridge collapse at the Wan house that day.”

The young masters at the席位 all laughed lightly, thinking: Among the young ladies in this capital who stick to Ling Buyi like cowhide, isn’t the first one your sister Wang Xi? You have the nerve to speak of others. Other young ladies pursuing Ling Buyi just joined in the excitement and afterward went to their respective marriages. Only your sister is the one truly relentlessly entangling.

At this time, Liang Qiufei impatiently came out from the back room, forcing a smile on his face, bowing: “My lord heard Miss Cheng came to give thanks and sent this subordinate to invite her in.”

Yuan Shen’s heart trembled. That strange feeling from back at the imperial residence surfaced again.

Shaoshang performed a dignified bow to everyone and took her leave.

Originally Cheng Shaogong didn’t need to follow, but having been spoken to like this by Wang Long, how could he let his younger sister fall into a reputation of infatuation? Therefore no matter what, he had to follow in to give thanks.

Liang Qiufei could only watch helplessly as the Cheng siblings both walked toward the back room, couldn’t help but glare hatefully at Wang Long over there.

Ling Buyi today seemed to have just bathed and groomed. His fair skin revealed a jade-colored moisture. His thick black ink-like long hair was loosely draped over his snow-white silk inner robe. He reclined diagonally on a daybed like this, like an ancient painting depicting overwhelming beauty.

He had already heard the voices outside, quietly leaning against the cushion, his face showing no readable emotion.

With Cheng Shaogong present, Shaoshang naturally couldn’t mention the Goose Return Tower matter. The three thus exchanged neither warm nor cold pleasantries.

Shaoshang felt apologetic. She glanced sideways at her brother, then raised her head to look at Ling Buyi, saying in a low voice: “Actually, actually I’ve always…” She wanted to say, except for the first time, she had always wanted to visit alone afterward, but it could never work out. It really wasn’t intentional avoidance.

“You don’t need to say it. I know.” Ling Buyi said gently.

Cheng Shaogong kept a straight face, secretly complaining: Since you already know without saying, what are you two chattering about!

“Does your arm still hurt?” Shaoshang’s expression was concerned.

Ling Buyi smiled slightly: “From start to finish you only ask if it hurts. You don’t ask whether it hinders my archery and horseback riding?”

Shaoshang laughed from pure sincerity: “As long as it doesn’t hurt, that’s good. Whether you can mount horses and draw bows—what does that matter?”

Ling Buyi gazed back at her, his eyes as gentle as water.

Cheng Shaogong was just thinking of coughing twice to interrupt this deeply sincere atmosphere when Ling Buyi glanced over coldly. For no reason, his whole body felt cold, and he quickly silenced himself.

Ling Buyi turned his head back. Just as he was about to say a couple more sentences, outside suddenly came a burst of loud shouting. A drunken voice was speaking, intermittently coming through—”…I once saw this Miss Cheng meeting someone… the Eleventh Young Master…”

Cheng Shaogong’s face darkened. He glared at Ling Buyi and Shaoshang, abruptly rose and strode outside, determined to defend his younger sister.

Shaoshang was alarmed and fearful, looking anxiously toward Ling Buyi. Liang Qiufei standing to the side said in a low voice: “Young master, perhaps…”

Ling Buyi raised his hand to stop the youth from continuing, looking gently at the girl: “When you and I met, except for the other day at Mount Tugao, others were always present. Don’t be afraid. I’ll go speak.”

Shaoshang let out a breath. Just now she had also panicked in her urgency. Thinking calmly now, it really was so. She mustered courage to stand up and loudly said: “I’ll go first!”

Striding out to the outer hall, she saw Cheng Shaogong grasping the front of a sharp-faced, monkey-cheeked person’s robe, angrily shouting: “…Young Master Huang, how can you speak like this!”

Wang Long fanned the flames from the side, laughing loudly: “…Third Young Master Cheng, since your sister did it, is she afraid of being talked about?!”

The people at the席位 watched the show with smiles. Cheng Shaogong raised his fist wanting to strike. The Crown Prince, Fourth Prince, and Yuan Shen all rose together to stop him. The difference was, the Crown Prince wanted to stop Cheng Shaogong from beating his cousin, Yuan Shen wanted to stop Huang Yang from continuing to speak of Shaoshang’s private affairs, and the Fourth Prince wanted to stop everyone.

“Young Master Huang!” Shaoshang raised her voice, walking straight before everyone, bowing in salute. “You should tell us, when and where did you see me having a private meeting with someone?”

Everyone stopped talking and moving, quietly watching.

“Shaoshang!” Cheng Shaogong said anxiously, “Don’t act rashly!”

“Though I am a small young lady, I also know to walk upright and sit properly. Young Master Huang, please speak freely!” Shaoshang recalled what Ling Buyi had just said. The more she thought about it, the more confident she became. Unless this Huang fellow had caught her and Ling Buyi at Goose Return Tower, how could there be evidence of a private meeting!

Ling Buyi was already standing under the corridor eaves. Hearing this, he stopped his steps, listening with a smile.

Huang Yang had sobered up somewhat by now. Seeing he couldn’t back down, he could only loudly say vaguely: “Twice! Once at an iron forge door at the city’s edge, and once outside a mill outside the city. I saw you talking with a man. Both times that person stood with his back facing inward, but judging by his build, it should be the same person!”

Ah?! Shaoshang’s brain, which had been waiting with spear at the ready, suddenly relaxed. After being dazed for a moment, she looked at Yuan Shen on the side.

She saw Yuan Shen was also somewhat dazed, completely unprepared.

“Miss Cheng, don’t say that wasn’t you! And don’t say that man was your brother! Though I couldn’t see his face clearly, he was taller than any of your brothers!” Seeing the girl didn’t immediately deny it, Huang Yang grew smug. “You were even driving a golden-red little carriage. My servant and I saw it clearly! Say it, who was that man? Was it the Eleventh Young Master? Haha, haha, aiya…”

Huang Yang was just laughing when he glimpsed Ling Buyi under the corridor eaves with a face covered in cold frost. His laughter immediately stopped abruptly, his heart full of fear.

“Let me speak.” Yuan Shen stepped forward several paces. For some reason his heart felt joyful and excited, but his attitude became doubly refined and elegant. “Your Highness Crown Prince, Fourth Prince, Third Young Master Cheng, everyone—the man Miss Cheng met those two times was precisely this humble one.”

With these words, except for Shaoshang, everyone was astonished.

Liang Qiufei dumbly looked at Ling Buyi, only feeling his young master was already emanating bone-chilling coldness.

Yuan Shen bowed to the Cheng siblings, smiling: “I’ve implicated the young lady. The matter concerns my master…”

Before he could continue explaining, Shaoshang already loudly said: “This matter involves Cheng family affairs and isn’t convenient to discuss in detail. But please, Your Highnesses and all the young masters, believe that those two meetings between Young Master Yuan and myself were purely regarding elder affairs!”

That Huang Yang and Wang Long were dumbstruck. Everyone else had expressions of ‘didn’t expect that.’

Shaoshang still felt it wasn’t enough. Standing straight at the doorway, righteously and sternly she said: “With heaven above and earth below, if those two meetings between Young Master Yuan and myself contained half a point of romantic impropriety, let me be struck dead by a carriage two hundred chi after leaving this residence! How about that?”

Having issued this very popular oath, Shaoshang bid farewell to all the young masters in the hall with a circular bow, then bowed apologetically to the Crown Prince and Fourth Prince, before triumphantly sweeping her sleeves and departing, even forgetting to take her own brother with her.

Cheng Shaogong silently withdrew his fist. Looking at Ling Buyi under the corridor whose cold face had somewhat turned around, then turning to look at Yuan Shen in the hall whose face had turned cold, he suddenly felt he knew too much.

…

This matter naturally couldn’t be hidden from His Majesty the Emperor, who had been closely monitoring Ling Buyi these past few days.

After hearing the scout’s report, the Emperor pounded the imperial desk once in frustration at his failure to meet expectations—how easily other young men spread romantic rumors, just standing casually at an iron forge or mill entrance and people could see them. But why did no one spread rumors about his adopted son? If that cliff rescue scene had been seen by someone, then spread by word of mouth, wouldn’t that… wouldn’t that…

The upright Emperor came back to his senses and decided to stop this immoral train of thought.

However, at this very moment, including the Emperor, Ling Buyi, Shaoshang, Yuan Shen, and even the Lou and Cheng families, none of them knew that change would come so quickly.