Looking at the little maid whose eyes sparkled and whose cheeks were flushed, Luo Sheng’s mood was somewhat complicated.

What was this girl so excited about?

Kou’er asked for Luo Sheng: “Isn’t Prince Kaiyang already a regular customer? What are you excited about?”

Hong Dou blinked: “I don’t know either.”

As they were speaking, Wei Han arrived at the entrance.

Shi Yan hurried over to take the cloak he’d removed.

The ink-colored cloak was covered with quite a bit of snow. Shi Yan shook off the snowflakes and said with a chuckle: “Master, you’ve finally come.”

“Did something happen?” Wei Han asked.

Shi Yan thought about the young princess who got slapped, then thought about Minister Tao’s household that lost both silver and face, and grinned: “Nothing major.”

These little matters—Miss Luo could handle them with one finger.

Wei Han walked past Shi Yan toward the counter.

Shi Yan looked at that tall, upright figure with a satisfied smile.

Master was becoming more and more admirable. He didn’t even waste words with him and went straight to Miss Luo.

Providing help in the snow was the easiest way to move a woman’s heart. Hadn’t he seen how when he gave some silver to those beautiful young ladies selling themselves to bury their fathers, they’d cry and clamor to follow him?

Unfortunately, the number of young ladies volunteering to become maids in his household kept increasing. Later, when his mother chased him around the courtyard with a feather duster, he didn’t dare accumulate virtue and do good deeds anymore.

“Your Highness has returned.”

Wei Han nodded: “Yes, I’m back.”

Luo Sheng pointed to a stool nearby and smiled: “Would Your Highness like to sit?”

The female proprietor who had just walked in from the back slowed her steps.

That was her stool—she went to the privy and it flew away?

Wei Han stood still without moving. His lips, as if frozen by wind and snow, formed a warm curve: “It’s snowing. Let’s go look at the persimmon tree in the courtyard.”

Shi Yan nearly dropped the ink-colored cloak he was holding.

Look at the persimmon tree?

Look at bare branches?

To the young guard’s surprise, the girl by the counter stood up nimbly, said “alright,” and strode toward the door leading to the back courtyard.

Wei Han lifted his foot to follow.

Only after the two figures disappeared behind the cotton curtain did Shi Yan react: Master and Miss Luo weren’t wearing outer garments!

He looked down at the thick cloak, hesitated, and didn’t chase after them.

What if Master and Miss Luo were pouring out their hearts under the tree? Running over would be too tactless of him.

In the courtyard, the tall persimmon tree silently endured the wind and snow, having become a jade tree with crystalline branches.

Cold air rushed at them.

Wei Han snapped out of the joy of their reunion and reminded: “Miss Luo isn’t wearing an outer garment.”

Luo Sheng pointed to the half-open door: “Let’s talk inside.”

She had no intention of freezing under the persimmon tree. It was more comfortable to go inside and sit in a chair with soft cushions while holding a steaming hot teacup.

The two didn’t stop walking. That lonely persimmon tree in the corner didn’t receive an extra glance from anyone.

Inside the room it was warm as spring. The doubled-petal lotus placed by the window was blooming vigorously.

A copper kettle sat on the small brazier in the corner.

Luo Sheng reached out to lift it, but a large hand picked up the copper kettle first.

“Let me.” The man’s gentle voice sounded.

Luo Sheng stopped her movement and watched him carry the copper kettle to the table and skillfully pour two cups of tea.

It was excellent tea. The curling tea fragrance diffused through the room.

Through the steam, she could see the man’s somewhat chapped lips and bright black eyes.

“Your Highness worked hard on this trip.”

“It wasn’t really hard work, just that the food wasn’t good.”

Luo Sheng fell silent.

She really didn’t know how Prince Kaiyang could say something that sounded like acting spoiled so seriously…

She couldn’t quibble—after all, he’d made this entire trip to help her.

Luo Sheng chuckled and said: “Your Highness should drink some tea first. The cleaned mutton has been stewing for over an hour—it’s fragrant and tender. Once we sprinkle some scallions it can be brought to the table. There’s also separately made piping hot mutton soup. Drinking a bowl when it’s snowing is most comfortable.”

“I know.” Wei Han curved his lips, feeling the joy of their hearts being in harmony.

On the road back to the capital he’d been thinking about mutton soup. Miss Luo truly understood his intentions.

Thinking this, the smile on his lips deepened.

However, now wasn’t the time to drink soup and eat meat. Miss Luo was anxious.

Wei Han drank the tea in one gulp and spoke: “I just saw that guard.”

Luo Sheng gripped the teacup in her hand. The heat from the cup transferred to her cold fingertips, giving them warmth.

“He agreed?”

Wei Han nodded: “Yes, he agreed. In a few more days, good news should arrive.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“It was just a small effort.” After Wei Han finished speaking, he poured another cup of tea and took something from inside his robe to hand over.

Looking at the familiar shape and familiar wrapping, Luo Sheng’s lips twitched slightly: “This is—”

“A gift for Miss Luo.”

Luo Sheng reached out to receive it and, under his gaze full of anticipation, silently opened the cloth.

As expected, inside was a cookbook.

Luo Sheng was silent for a moment, then smiled at the man with a face full of seeking praise: “Thank you for Your Highness’s gift.”

“As long as Miss Luo likes it.”

Luo Sheng set the newly received gift aside, asked about some more details, and smiled: “Your Highness must be hungry. Shall we go to the hall to eat the mutton hotpot?”

Wei Han stood up, his movements nimble without realizing it.

Luo Sheng noticed but had long grown accustomed to it.

The two walked toward outside.

In the hall, Shi Yan’s face was calm but his heart full of curiosity as he wandered to the entrance leading to the back courtyard.

It wasn’t that he was gossiping—anyway, there were no customers, so being idle was being idle. He’d check if Master and Miss Luo were cold. What if they froze?

He extended two fingers to lift a corner of the thin cotton curtain. With an excited and anxious heart, the young guard secretly peeked out, and his eyes immediately went wide.

Where were they?

What about the promised viewing of the persimmon tree?

Wei Han and Luo Sheng walked out from the room.

Shi Yan: “…”

“Shi Sanfire, what are you looking at?” A hand landed on Shi Yan’s shoulder.

Shi Yan whirled around. Seeing it was Hong Dou, he breathed a sigh of relief and said seriously: “I’m looking at the persimmon tree.”

“What’s so good about looking at a persimmon tree? Might as well crack sunflower seeds.” Hong Dou pulled out a handful of fragrant roasted sunflower seeds from her pocket and asked: “Want some?”

“Sure.” Shi Yan took the sunflower seeds in one grab.

He needed to crack sunflower seeds to calm his complicated feelings.

Luo Sheng entered first and instructed Hong Dou: “Serve His Highness a mutton hotpot and a serving of mutton soup.”

Wei Han, who had proactively held the curtain for Luo Sheng, followed a step behind and casually added: “Add two steamed buns.”

Seeing several people look over, Wei Han calmly explained: “Steamed buns go perfectly with mutton soup.”

“Does Your Highness want to eat pickled garlic too?” Hong Dou blurted out.

Wei Han was concise: “Yes.”

While Wei Han was walking toward the window seat, Kou’er pulled Hong Dou aside and said in a low voice: “Hong Dou, you’re acting a bit strange today.”

Why so enthusiastic?

Hong Dou blinked: “I don’t know either.”

She just felt that if she gave Prince Kaiyang more food, Miss would be in a good mood.

Don’t ask why—even if you asked she couldn’t explain clearly. It was probably just the intuition of the head maid.