Shi Yan said these words with a serious face, but his heart was complex.

Their master had never said anything about drawing swords to help when seeing injustice on the road.

It was Kou’er who secretly told him…

However, based on his observations over many days, their master probably wouldn’t mind having these words attributed to him.

Thinking this way, the usually honest and simple young guard felt somewhat at ease.

But Minister Tao could not feel at ease.

Prince Kaiyang’s man?

As for that nonsense about drawing swords to help when seeing injustice on the road—forget it.

Minister Tao stared intently at Shi Yan.

Shi Yan produced his waist token and let Minister Tao examine it.

Minister Tao’s expression changed slightly, his heart churning.

He really was Prince Kaiyang’s man!

There had long been rumors that Prince Kaiyang regarded Miss Luo differently. He had always scoffed at such gossip—could it actually be true?

“Master—” Madam Tao called out softly.

Minister Tao came back to himself and said to Shi Yan with furrowed brows: “I will visit the Prince at the royal residence later.”

As for whether to accuse or do something else, who could know?

He didn’t even plan to go.

Saying this was merely to find a way to save face in full view of everyone.

“Miss Luo, please do as you wish.” Minister Tao cupped his hands toward Luo Sheng and quickly led the Tao residence people inside.

The vermillion-lacquered gate soon closed, blocking out the various gazes.

Madam Tao urgently called out: “Where’s the physician? Quickly examine the young master!”

If his face was ruined, how could he still take the imperial examinations!

Minister Tao’s face was dark and he said nothing until after the physician examined Young Master Tao and said his face wouldn’t scar. Only then did he secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

After breathing that sigh of relief, fury surged up.

“Eldest son, did a dog eat your brain? The engagement is already broken—why are you still entangled!”

Young Master Tao’s expression was wooden, without any reaction at all.

Madam Tao felt great distress and complained: “Master, stop scolding. Eldest son already feels terrible enough.”

“You have the nerve to speak—come with me!”

Once in the side room, Minister Tao sternly questioned: “What’s this written statement about the reasons for breaking the engagement?”

“If I didn’t write it, that Luo brat refused to agree to break the engagement no matter what. Having the authorities decide would have been too late—should I have just watched Miss Luo enter our doors?”

Minister Tao’s fury wouldn’t abate as he looked at Madam Tao with eyes full of disappointment: “You’re at least an official’s wife who has managed the household for many years, yet you were manipulated by an uneducated little girl!”

Madam Tao felt greatly wronged: “It’s precisely because Miss Luo is uneducated that she’s so difficult to handle.”

If she were a reasonable young lady from a proper family, would the Tao residence be passive at every turn?

After the couple argued extensively, Young Master Tao next door remained in a daze.

Outside the vermillion gate, Luo Sheng gently patted Luo Ying’s shoulder: “Eldest sister, let’s go.”

“Mm.” Luo Ying turned around, lifted her foot, and stepped over the veiled hat that had been thrown to the ground.

The onlookers parted to make a path, watching as the group left, then continued pointing at the Tao residence gate.

For the time being, they were reluctant to disperse.

By the roadside, a familiar crimson figure entered Luo Sheng’s view.

Her steps paused.

Hong Dou cheerfully reminded: “Miss, it’s Prince Kaiyang!”

Seeing the one who had shouldered the blame, she felt rather warmly toward him.

“You all escort the eldest miss back first.”

Luo Sheng walked over.

“Why is the Prince here?”

The corners of Wei Han’s lips curved slightly upward: “I happened to be passing by.”

Luo Sheng stared at the man’s upturned lips for a moment: “The Prince seems to be in a good mood.”

The smile at the corners of Wei Han’s lips suddenly deepened: “I watched an interesting scene.”

He used to dislike this kind of chaotic situation, but today, hearing those people speculate that he and Miss Luo had a deep relationship was quite pleasant to the ear.

Naturally, his mood improved.

“Today I’ve caused the Prince a bit of trouble.”

Wei Han smiled and shook his head: “Miss Luo is too polite. I gave you those four—Shi Yan and his brothers—precisely so you could use them as you please.”

Luo Sheng fell silent for a moment.

The four Shi brothers were Prince Kaiyang’s men. From the moment Prince Kaiyang sent all four to her side, she understood his meaning.

This was the most direct support he could give her.

At this juncture when the Grand Marshal’s residence was weathering storms, some things done by people from the Luo residence versus done by Prince Kaiyang’s people were different matters.

“Many thanks to the Prince.”

“I’ve said before, this is what I should do. Miss Luo needn’t be so formal.”

Luo Sheng tugged at the corners of her lips.

She also didn’t know how it became what he should do…

But this debt of gratitude was indeed owed and could only be repaid when there was an opportunity.

“The person is already on the road to the capital.” Walking side by side, Wei Han said in a low voice.

Luo Sheng’s steps slowed, and she raised the corners of her lips: “I understand. Thank you for the Prince’s efforts.”

Seeing her smile, Wei Han couldn’t help but smile as well and asked: “Is Miss Luo returning to the tavern or to the residence?”

“Although matters are temporarily settled, things at home are still chaotic. I’ll return to the residence to take a look.”

Disappointment flashed through Wei Han’s eyes.

He had thought he could have a meal together with Miss Luo.

He had even brought the new recipe he had found.

However, given the Luo residence’s situation, it was natural that Miss Luo wouldn’t be in the mood to go to the tavern.

Indeed, solving Grand Marshal Luo’s troubles as soon as possible and letting everything return to normal was most important.

So truly, this was what he should do.

“The Prince needn’t see me off.”

“Then Miss Luo, take care.” Wei Han stopped. Watching Luo Sheng turn around, he couldn’t help but call out again: “Miss Luo.”

Luo Sheng looked back at him.

“Drawing swords to help when seeing injustice on the road depends on the situation.”

Regarding this phrase that Shi Yan had randomly attributed to him, he still acknowledged it, but he couldn’t let Miss Luo misunderstand that he was someone who helped indiscriminately.

For instance, when encountering girls selling themselves to bury their fathers, he always silently watched Shi Yan take action.

Luo Sheng smiled: “I know.”

Of course she knew. The phrase about drawing swords to help when seeing injustice on the road was something Kou’er had secretly reminded Shi Yan to say. It was quite admirable that Prince Kaiyang had calmly shouldered it.

Returning to the royal residence, Wei Han recalled that smile of Luo Sheng’s and always felt something was off.

Forget it—thinking too much was useless. As long as Miss Luo wasn’t angry, that was enough.

Luo Sheng returned to the Grand Marshal’s residence and headed straight for Binfen Courtyard.

In Binfen Courtyard, Luo Ying had taken out a sharp pair of scissors and was cutting apart the bright red wedding dress piece by piece.

The long, trailing, exquisite and magnificent wedding dress was soon in tatters, unbearable to look at.

Luo Qing and Luo Yue watched Luo Ying’s actions wanting to stop her but not daring to, afraid she might accidentally injure herself. They could only worry helplessly.

Seeing Luo Sheng enter, Luo Yue hurried over: “Third sister, eldest sister she—”

She didn’t know what had happened. As soon as eldest sister returned, she began cutting the wedding dress, as if she had suffered some kind of shock.

Luo Sheng waved her hand, signaling Luo Yue not to speak, and silently watched Luo Ying.

Luo Ying’s movements didn’t stop. The wedding dress was soon cut full of holes.

She threw down the wedding dress and picked up the bridal veil, cutting it mercilessly.

Finally, these items that had taken countless days and nights to make and carried a woman’s expectations for her future married life became a pile of rubbish.

Luo Ying stopped, seeming to have exhausted considerable energy. Breathing lightly, she looked toward Luo Sheng.

“Eldest sister, be careful your hands don’t hurt.”

Luo Ying’s expression was neither crying nor not crying, neither smiling nor not smiling, yet her tone was very resolute: “My hands don’t hurt. Lu’e, gather up these scraps.”