After sitting dazed for a long while, Shaoshang clumsily climbed up from the ground. When palace maids and young eunuchs saw her emerge from the chamber with slightly disheveled clothes and somewhat scattered hair, recalling that Ling Buyi had also just come out from this room, they all wore flickering eyes and subtle smiles.

Shaoshang very much wanted to say: It’s really not what you’re thinking. Really.

After returning to her room, she told Granny Zhai the essential parts of the earlier martial arts scene, omitting Fifth Princess’s portion. Granny Zhai laughed until she nearly fell over. After laughing enough, she wiped her tears and said: “What a pity I didn’t see it with my own eyes… Alas, Shiyilang has been mature and steady since childhood, famously determined. He could sit reading and writing for an entire day, shoot arrows at targets until his arms couldn’t be raised without moving from the spot. But since he came to Her Majesty’s side, I’ve never seen him laugh and play like an ordinary child.” Speaking of this, her face showed a wistful expression.

Shaoshang thought expressionlessly that it seemed Ling Buyi was making up for his lost childhood on her account. After a moment, she asked curiously: “Then if Master Ling encountered someone hateful and infuriating, how would he deal with them?” Wasn’t it said that Second Prince once bullied him? Those with itchy hands shouldn’t have been limited to Second Prince alone. Could Ling Buyi really take a step back for boundless seas and skies?

Granny Zhai, while re-combing her hair, smiled with pursed lips: “Shiyilang isn’t made of clay. How could he not strike back when hit? Most people dealt with by him won’t have a second time. Where’s someone like Young Lady Cheng who makes trouble every few days yet can still escape unscathed? Anyone else would have been beaten half to death long ago!”

“If he beat me half to death, His Majesty should choose a new wife for Master Ling.” Shaoshang muttered, then said: “Granny, you watched Master Ling grow up. In all these years, hasn’t he had one or two… mm, female confidantes…?” The entire palace court is full of women. Ling Buyi isn’t made of iron. How did he get through puberty?

Recalling the past, Granny Zhai’s hands paused, smiling and sighing: “Speaking of it is amusing. When Shiyilang first came to Her Majesty’s side, he was thin, weak, and pale, just like a quiet little girl. Later His Majesty taught him martial arts to strengthen his body, and with one roll he became a mischievous mud monkey, getting covered in dust every day, washing couldn’t get him clean…”

Shaoshang smiled: “Granny, you let it slip. Just now you said he was mature and steady since childhood, yet he rolled in mud…”

“Don’t interrupt.” Granny Zhai patted her and rolled her eyes. “Shiyilang didn’t go play in mud piles. He was practicing martial arts. At that time, he had no other thoughts in his heart, only focusing on reading and martial arts. Who knew…”

She raised her head to look out the window. “Who knew when he turned fourteen, somehow, as if overnight he received the radiance of sun and moon and enlightenment from immortals… Mm, I remember, at that time Third Princess had just married for a year. It was… at the banquet when Princess Yuchang and her son-in-law came to the palace the day after their wedding. Shiyilang changed into new clothes Her Majesty made for him—I even selected the fabric, crimson robes with a golden belt. He just stood there quietly and calmly under the palace corridor, tall in stature and beautiful in appearance, as if drifting down from clouds at the horizon. The whole room’s candlelight and pearls and jade were overshadowed by him. Everyone’s eyes couldn’t move away…” She still remembers the expressions on Third Princess and Princess Yuchang’s faces—both shocked and regretful couldn’t sufficiently describe their brilliance.

This era had open customs. Even old women enthusiastically appreciated handsome men. Granny Zhai’s tone was both nostalgic and wistful: “…Also in that year, Shiyilang first took a trip away with Marquis Cui. After returning, he received duties from His Majesty’s side and even established a separate residence outside.” The implication—the women of the palace court in the first half failed to recognize gold inlaid with jade, not knowing the Great Sage lay beneath the mud monkey. In the second half, their reach was insufficient, unattainably remote with regrets too late—Ling Buyi had already escaped the Spider Cave.

Shaoshang nodded. She’d long been curious why, since the Emperor loved Ling Buyi so much, he didn’t recruit him as a prince consort. This dynasty had no rule that prince consorts couldn’t govern or hold power. Now hearing Granny Zhai’s words, she basically understood everything.

The Emperor Uncle’s first three princesses were all older than Ling Buyi. Even the youngest niece, Princess Yuchang, was a year older than him. Girls naturally mature earlier than boys. An eighteen-year-old delicate wife with a three-year-old husband—you play with mud while I develop. When they were discussing marriage prospects, Ling Buyi was still a little brat. Naturally no feelings would arise. By the time they developed feelings, each radish already had its pit—they all had husbands.

As for Fourth and Fifth Princesses, even with Shaoshang’s political sensitivity approximately equal to zero, she vaguely perceived their marriages already involved political issues, completely outside the scope of whether young people were happy or not.

Having cleaned up the volcanic remains, Granny Zhai had palace maids bring in a food table filled with food and drink, dragging Shaoshang to make up the missed midday meal. Eating away, Shaoshang suddenly sighed: “I wonder if Master Ling has had his midday meal. He ran out of Changqiu Palace furiously, holding a bellyful of anger. Perhaps he ate nothing…”

Granny Zhai heavily patted her shoulder: “That’s right! Finally knowing to think of someone!”

After the meal came the afternoon rest. Having barely slept half a shichen, Shaoshang was shaken awake by Granny Zhai, unwillingly pulled to work. The reason was that Marquis Xuan and his wife, along with the Chariot and Cavalry General and his daughter, had come for an audience. Walking all the way to the inner hall entrance, hearing voices from inside, Shaoshang quickly put away her pouting and frowning, assuming a docile and respectful quail-like appearance. Combined with her white lotus appearance, she was the living image of a little cabbage wilting yellow in the field. Granny Zhai pointed at her with her index finger, barely audibly cursing with a smile.

The two entered the hall. Shaoshang’s eyes quickly swept around. She saw to the Empress’s right below sat cold and quiet, only a tranquil middle-aged couple. To the left below was lively and bustling—Fifth Princess, Luo Jitong, Wang Xi, and a middle-aged man Shaoshang didn’t recognize. Fifth Princess was speaking excitedly with the middle-aged man: “…My eldest brother listens to you most. I’ll entrust that batch of fine horses to you! Remember, they must be the same coat color and height, and the hooves must also be the same color!”

This middle-aged man was tall and handsome with distinguished features, wearing a luxurious golden-red straight robe. Unfortunately his face was oily and his belly protruded, unable to conceal an air of wine and women. He smiled: “Easy to say, easy to say…”

“This matter seems improper.” The Empress spoke to interrupt. “That batch of fine horses is allocated to the Eastern Palace elite guards. Fifth Daughter, you open your mouth asking for seven or eight horses. Isn’t that…”

“Aiya, Your Majesty needn’t worry!” That middle-aged man waved his large hand. “The fine horses given to the princess count as being at my residence, not connected to the Eastern Palace. The princess rarely asks for anything. How can we elders refuse?”

Fifth Princess beamed with joy, reproaching: “Exactly! Mother Empress is too cautious!” She turned to the middle-aged man: “Speaking of it, in the vast Eastern Palace, from deputy generals to advisors, you handle half the matters. We and Eldest Brother all trust and value you.”

“Not at all, not at all. I merely rely on His Majesty’s authority and martial prowess, having a modest family fortune. In reality I’m old and lacking in virtue, not worth mentioning…”

“You’re too modest! Now with Father Emperor still using troops outside, horses and iron implements are all controlled by the court. Even with money, one can’t necessarily obtain such good horses. If I speak to Mother Empress, she lectures me with a pile of great principles. If I want to speak to Father Emperor, a matter of a few horses can’t get on the table. If I want to find Crown Prince Brother, I can’t be bothered to see Crown Princess. But every time when going out, others’ accompanying guards all have fine horses. Even Fourth Sister obtained four Ebony Cloud Covering Snow horses from the Yue family. I can’t fall behind…”

“Indeed, though the princess is young, she’s already established her own residence. People need face as trees need bark. How can we let the princess lose her prestige!”

Fifth Princess and that middle-aged man spoke more and more happily, but the Empress frowned. Shaoshang, seeing this, had a thought. At this time Granny Zhai was pulling her to kneel in greeting. After she greeted the Empress and princess, she rushed ahead of Granny Zhai to bow loudly to that middle-aged man: “Greetings to Marquis Xuan, my lord. Marquis Xuan, salutations.”

Hearing her shout, everyone in the hall was startled. Others still didn’t understand, but the Empress, intelligent inside, immediately grasped her intention, a trace of smile flashing in her eyes. Luo Jitong was a beat slow but also seemed to perceive something, covering her sleeve with a light laugh: “Shaoshang, you’ve made a mistake. This is Chariot and Cavalry General Wang Chun, Father of Sister Wang Xi.” She pointed across: “This is Marquis Xuan and his wife.”

Granny Zhai wiped the sweat on her forehead, pretending to smile: “That’s right, that’s right. You impulsive child, really!”

Shaoshang feigned panic: “Oh my, so that’s how it is. This subject erred greatly. Please forgive, forgive…” Saying this, she repeatedly apologized to everyone in the hall, then pretended: “I saw Fifth Princess and General Wang so close, I thought you were the princess’s blood uncle rather than uncle-in-law!”

Wang Chun’s face stiffened. Marquis Xuan and his wife lowered their heads even more. Only Fifth Princess was completely oblivious, scolding: “You ignorant little… little woman… Since you don’t recognize people, why shout so quickly!”

The Empress said lightly: “Can’t blame Shaoshang. Those who don’t know, seeing it, would probably think the same… Shaoshang, come over here. What are you standing there for?”

Wang Chun smiled awkwardly without speaking. Fifth Princess was annoyed and silent. Shaoshang pulled Granny Zhai to walk with small steps and lowered head to sit properly behind the Empress. The Empress pointed at her, saying to Marquis Xuan and his wife: “This is Zicheng’s future bride. Just call her Shaoshang.”

Marquis Xuan and his wife raised their heads. Only then did Shaoshang see their features clearly. Marquis Xuan had distinguished features with brows and eyes somewhat resembling the Empress, but his temperament was wooden and honest, visibly not good with words. Marquis Xuan’s wife might have been very pretty when young, but after several decades… she already had a matching couple’s face with Marquis Xuan.

Marquis Xuan first smiled reservedly, then looking at Shaoshang, said: “We’ve long heard of Young Lady Cheng. That Shiyilang is finally willing to marry—we’re all happy for His Majesty and the Empress. Meeting for the first time, we have nothing good to give. We’ve prepared a modest gift, counting as our feelings toward you and Shiyilang…”

Marquis Xuan’s wife quickly pushed forward two lacquered wooden small chests over a chi wide that had been piled beside her. Palace maids came forward to lift them up the steps. The Empress smiled at Shaoshang: “Open them and look. You’ll surely like them.”

The palace maids opened both chests as instructed. Instantly the pearl radiance and treasure qi dazzled Shaoshang’s titanium alloy dog eyes—one chest was neatly stacked with unicorn-hoof gold, thirty pieces per row, four rows per layer, by visual estimate at least three or four layers. The other chest was covered with deep red brocade, atop which were carefully placed dozens of thumb-sized sea pearls and five or six palm-sized white jade discs. The sea pearls were perfectly round and clear, the jade discs pure and flawless. Without any gold or silver accessories, they were simply and brutally arranged there, gleaming with luster, making one dare not approach.

For a moment, everyone in the hall was shocked. Others could still cover it, but Fifth Princess had a face full of astonishment, eyes revealing fierce light.

Shaoshang’s eyes dazzled and breath quickened, even her laughter stuttered: “This, this how can I accept…”

Marquis Xuan’s wife smiled shyly: “Over these years, we don’t know how much Zicheng has helped us. Ordinarily there’s nothing to thank him with. Giving it to you now is the same.”

Hearing Ling Buyi’s name, Shaoshang became somewhat more alert. With hopeful eyes she looked at the Empress, saying in a small voice: “Your Majesty, this is too precious. Can I accept it… His Majesty won’t later say I accepted bribes, will he?” Emperor Uncle lectures her for ages over nothing. If he had a reason, wouldn’t he lecture like a serial drama?

The Empress smiled: “Accept it. When His Majesty comes, I’ll shield you.” She turned to her brother: “Only this once, no next time. Otherwise, I’ll first charge you two with bribery.”

Marquis Xuan and his wife smiled all over their faces, bowing and acknowledging. Shaoshang’s heart and liver trembling, watched as palace maids closed the two gleaming golden chests and carried them away, her heart surging, unable to calm for a long time.

Fifth Princess was both jealous and resentful, sneering: “Uncle and aunt should indeed prepare the gift heavier. Last year someone impeached Uncle for occupying land beside the imperial mausoleum. If not for Ling Buyi helping to rush around and mediate, Uncle would have had to take a trip to the Court of Judicial Review.”

Luo Jitong, sitting behind her, sighed: “Wasn’t it later investigated and cleared? It was all false accusation. Even going to the Court of Judicial Review, with His Majesty’s clear insight, he would have released Marquis Xuan.”

“Even if it’s false accusation, someone must clarify it.” Fifth Princess raised her head: “Mother Empress’s maternal family is thin in numbers. Uncle has no particular talent. At critical times he still must rely on Ling Buyi!”

Luo Jitong said nervously: “Master Ling was raised by Her Majesty. We’re all one family. Why distinguish between this and that?”

“Ultimately, doesn’t it still rely on Mother Empress?” Fifth Princess said proudly.

Marquis Xuan lowered his head, meekly responding several times in acknowledgment. Marquis Xuan’s wife wasn’t much better, only able to repeatedly say: “The princess speaks truly. Thanks to Zicheng, thanks to Her Majesty…”

Luo Jitong sighed silently. Shaoshang smiled at her. She could only return a bitter smile with a shake of her head.

Fifth Princess smiled arrogantly: “Also the year before last, cousin got into trouble in an outer commandery. Someone detained him demanding money. It was also Ling Buyi who went overnight to settle the matter…”

Luo Jitong said weakly: “That was villains who heard Marquis Xuan’s family was wealthy and specially set a trap to frame the marquis’s son.”

“That’s also cousin being incompetent and dull. The Yu family is also wealthy. Why didn’t villains frame their young master? They wouldn’t dare even with ten borrowed galls! They just see Uncle’s nature is weak and easy to bully. Even suffering losses, he’ll endure and hide them in his belly!”

The Empress had anger in her heart, pressing her lips tightly without speaking, only heavily slapping down the hand fan on the table. Everyone in the hall fell silent. However, Marquis Xuan and his wife and the Wang father and daughter dared not open their mouths. Shaoshang and Granny Zhai were unwilling to open their mouths, and in their hearts to varying degrees hoped the Empress would scold Fifth Princess thoroughly.

Luo Jitong, looking at the Empress’s expression, could only continue firefighting with a smile: “Marquis Xuan’s family is famous for being sincere and kind. His Majesty praised them several times with repeated rewards. Have you forgotten?”

Fifth Princess pouted: “Being sincere and kind isn’t the same as being easy to bully. It’s because of Uncle’s appearance that Father Emperor only keeps rewarding gold, silver, fields and land but doesn’t entrust official positions and responsibilities, yet Fourth Sister’s uncles hold great power…”

“Your Highness, didn’t you just want to ask about Young Lady Xi’s marriage?” Luo Jitong tried hard to pull Fifth Princess’s sleeve but was swatted away by Fifth Princess. “Don’t change the subject. I haven’t finished speaking.”

Fifth Princess pulled back her sleeve and continued: “Uncle, a while ago I also heard cousin was swindled again. One fighting cock—someone demanded twenty thousand cash for it. Was that chicken made of gold? Mother Empress, don’t glare at me. I’m also doing this for Uncle and Aunt’s good. Should I pretend not to see them being bullied?”

“Your Highness, let’s talk about other things…” Luo Jitong was about to beat her head against the ground. She truly didn’t know how to stop Fifth Princess. If she said she was talking nonsense, everything she said was factually true. If she said she was arrogant and rude, she was doing it under the guise of caring for her maternal family.

“Princess Your Highness.” Shaoshang suddenly spoke. “You needn’t worry about Marquis Xuan like this. Actually His Majesty has long made arrangements.”

Fifth Princess sneered: “What arrangements? If you can’t explain the reason, see if I don’t punish you!”

Shaoshang covered her chest with a frightened face: “Just now Your Highness said Master Ling was raised before Her Majesty, that we’re one family. Now at the slightest disagreement, you want to punish me.”

Fifth Princess choked on her words momentarily, tongue-tied.

The Empress turned her head with a gentle smile, again picking up the hand fan from the table, leisurely swaying it for ventilation. “What arrangements has His Majesty made? Go ahead and speak… It’s fine if you’re wrong.”

Fifth Princess, seeing her mother protecting Cheng Shaoshang, angrily closed her mouth.

Shaoshang cast a bright, lovely smile toward the Empress, then turned back toward Fifth Princess: “During my days in the palace, I often heard Fourth Princess is steady and capable, skilled at managing finances. Last time when I spent all the money Master Ling gave me, His Majesty even used Fourth Princess as an example to lecture me. His Majesty said that among his many children, Fourth Princess is best at household management and would never be deceived or lose money and face. So you see, His Majesty betrothed Fourth Princess to Marquis Xuan’s son—this is precisely making the best use of talent. What are you still worried about? If someone like me married into the Xuan family, that would truly be a rice jar leaking from the bottom, impoverished beyond measure!”

Marquis Xuan and his wife, just scolded by Fifth Princess until their faces had no light, Wang Chun who had just seen the Empress’s expression getting worse and worse also felt something wrong, Granny Zhai and Luo Jitong who were at a loss for solutions—hearing Shaoshang’s speech, all burst out laughing.

Wang Chun even loudly agreed: “Young Lady Cheng speaks well!” Thinking no wonder his own daughter couldn’t compete with her. If he were Ling Buyi, he’d also like such a vivacious, courageous and intelligent little beauty.

Shaoshang smiled with light reproach, looking like a young person: “General Wang is truly unkind. I say I can’t manage a household and you still say I speak well. I’ll go tell Master Ling!”

Wang Chun laughed heartily: “Good, good, good! I misspoke. I’ll also prepare a great gift to apologize to you later.” He said to the Empress: “This child is likeable. No wonder Your Majesty and Zicheng both like her!”

The Empress finally showed a smile, smiling as she glared at Shaoshang: “Only you can talk.”

Fifth Princess, seeing no one helping her, was so angry her face turned green, saying coldly: “Fourth Sister has good fortune. Uncle and Aunt are kind, cousin is an honest person, the Xuan family is the wealthiest under heaven. I don’t have her good fortune…”

Shaoshang smiled sweetly and interrupted: “Fifth Princess marrying into the Yue family in the future will also be very good. Later when you want fine horses, you won’t need to trouble General Wang. Never mind Ebony Cloud Covering Snow—even White Cloud Covering Inkstone will be available!”

At these words, even the dignified Empress couldn’t help but laugh aloud. Wang Chun opened both rows of back molars laughing heartily. Granny Zhai collapsed with laughter behind the Empress. Wang Xi, who had been frowning deeply all along, now also laughed: “…White Cloud Covering Inkstone—where is there such a horse?”

Fifth Princess was furious: “You can marry a good son-in-law, naturally you’re happy. All the elder sisters married well, only I…”

“Princess!” Luo Jitong forcefully pulled Fifth Princess’s arm, eyes showing warning. “Your Highness’s marriage was decided by His Majesty. Do you want to argue with His Majesty?”

Fifth Princess suddenly came to her senses, huffily turning away without speaking further. The Empress, seeing her daughter like this, had complex eyes—both unable to bear it and displeased. In the end, she didn’t speak.

Wang Chun, who could still mix to the present day after his father-in-law Prince Qian’an’s defeat, was also a perceptive person. Seeing the atmosphere in the hall wasn’t good, he quickly came out to smooth things over: “Haha, returning to the subject, Your Majesty, your subject brought Ah Xi into the palace today—first, following Marquis Xuan and his wife to congratulate you in advance on your birthday. Second, on behalf of my daughter to thank Your Majesty. Speaking of it, if not for Your Majesty’s kind words before His Majesty, in Jiangxia where we’re unfamiliar with people and place, in haste your subject truly couldn’t find a good son-in-law. Thanks to Your Majesty allowing more time to select a husband, today I specially came to report to Your Majesty—the marriage has prospects!”

The Empress smiled: “Oh, which family’s son-in-law?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, it’s the Cai clan, a prominent family of Jingzhou.”

The Empress paused, feigning annoyance: “I asked about the son-in-law candidate. You men only know to look at family status.”—Shaoshang slightly turned her head to glance at the Empress, then turned back.

Wang Chun cupped his hands begging forgiveness with a smile: “Your Majesty’s reprimand is correct. But Your Majesty rest assured—your subject only has Ah Xi as a daughter. I can’t bear to wrong her. I’ve already sent people to inquire carefully. The future son-in-law is the youngest son of the Cai clan patriarch. Though loved by his parents, at a young age he went to White Deer Mountain to study. He just came down from the mountain a few months ago… How well he studied doesn’t count, but at least he has an aspiring heart.”

The Empress glanced at Wang Xi with her head lowered beside her, nodding: “One who studied under White Deer Mountain won’t be too bad.”

Wang Xi suddenly raised her head, eyes brimming with tears: “Your Majesty, I truly don’t want to leave the capital. Can you speak to His Majesty again and let me stay? I won’t speak nonsense outside anymore. Shaoshang, I beg you too. Before it was I who wronged you, I who was narrow and mean. You go beg His Majesty…”

“Obstinate creature, what nonsense are you saying!” Wang Chun turned to scold his daughter in a low voice, then turned back with a smile: “Your Majesty, don’t mind her. She’s just accustomed to staying in the capital. Everywhere else looks like wild and barbarous lands. Actually Jiangxia is also quite prosperous…”

The Empress sighed and shook her head. Actually Wang Xi was also someone she watched grow up. But the Emperor personally spoke to have Wang Chun quickly marry off his daughter elsewhere—this was deliberately giving face to his foster son, killing the chicken to show the monkey. Never mind that Cheng Shaoshang was from an official family, her parents establishing their household through military merit. Even if she were a commoner woman, as long as Ling Buyi wanted to marry her, the Emperor wouldn’t tolerate others being long-winded.

Indeed, these past months, no one in the capital dared question Cheng Shaoshang anymore.

Wang Xi bit her lip, staring blankly at Shaoshang: “Actually, the fine horses my father obtained this time are second-rate. The best were the batch Master Ling obtained last month. At that time Fifth Princess asked him for some—he didn’t agree. But he turned around and personally selected six horses to give you!”

At these words, Fifth Princess suddenly straightened her body, eyes full of poison looking toward Shaoshang.

Wang Chun thought this was bad. He quickly slapped his daughter across the face, roaring: “Obstinate creature, what are you saying!” Then he begged forgiveness from the Empress: “It’s all your subject’s fault. Your subject wasn’t careful with words, speaking carelessly at home! It’s all your subject’s error!” Saying this, he repeatedly kowtowed.

Wang Xi cried out, weeping as she covered her face and rushed out.

Shaoshang was shocked speechless. After a long while she said: “Sister Wang Xi is talking nonsense. It was clearly only two horses!” Even if it were true, the number couldn’t be wrong.

Granny Zhai couldn’t help but roll her eyes at her.

Wang Chun smiled bitterly: “It was indeed six horses. How could I not know? Two sent to the Cheng residence, two sent to Xu Commandery for Elder Brother Wan, and two more sent to your uncle’s posting, along with specialized horse keepers. Alas, those are truly fine horses traveling a thousand li daily, swift as wind. Even if surrounded by a thousand troops and ten thousand horses, one could escape with one’s life. The heart’s blood of those in the military…”

Fifth Princess couldn’t listen anymore. She angrily stood up at once, furiously taking several steps toward Shaoshang. Luo Jitong, seeing the situation was bad, grabbed her in one motion, repeatedly smiling apologetically: “Princess, Princess, didn’t you always long for a hunting falcon? From the betrothal gifts sent from the northwest this time, there’s an extremely majestic and imposing one, already trained—catching wolves and pouncing on tigers are no problem. I had Chunliao bring it into the palace. It’s in the forest garden. Let’s go see it, go see it… Your Majesty, this concubine and Fifth Princess will take our leave first…” While speaking, she used all her strength to drag Fifth Princess out of the hall.

Marquis Xuan and his wife were already frightened silly. It was Wang Chun who, seeing them at a loss and pitiful, pulled them along when taking his leave. The Empress, looking at her brother and sister-in-law’s honest and simple appearance, was also quite troubled in her heart, waving her hand to permit their departure.

Dazed people being dazed isn’t strange, but when the Empress turned her head, she saw even the usually clever Shaoshang was also in a daze.

She reached out a finger to push the girl. Only then did Shaoshang say quietly: “…I mentioned to him before that Uncle Wan’s legs and feet aren’t good, yet he always loves to wander around. The county where Third Uncle is posted isn’t exactly peaceful either—occasionally there are violent mobs rioting. If something happens, who knows if they can nimbly run back inside the city gates.”

“He didn’t tell me anything.”

Though he didn’t tell her his decisions, he also didn’t tell her about the good he did for her.