The tavern’s main doors were tightly shut. Dim lamplight spilled through the windows, much like the gloomy mood of someone who had come to dine only to find the establishment closed.

Even the blue wine flag was frozen stiff, lacking its usual graceful flutter as it swayed in the wind.

Wei Han stood in place without moving.

By rights, if the tavern wasn’t open, he should return home. There was no reason to stay and keep company with that lonely, desolate wine flag. Yet Wei Han silently stared at those tightly closed tavern doors, realizing for the first time what disappointment felt like.

Grand Marshal Luo had been released from prison—Miss Luo must be very happy.

When Miss Luo was happy, the tavern would surely prepare several extra dishes to entertain guests, perhaps even introduce new dishes.

Yet the tavern was actually closed.

Wei Han touched the money pouch hanging at his waist.

Inside lay a stack of banknotes, prepared for today’s advance payment.

There should be an enormous number of people coming to dine today—could Miss Luo really be turning away business?

It didn’t make sense. Miss Luo clearly quite liked money.

Wei Han was unwilling to give up and walked step by step to the main entrance.

Drawing closer, a faint wine fragrance drifted into his nostrils.

Wei Han took a light breath and turned to leave.

Just then, the tavern doors creaked open, and a voice came from behind: “Has the Prince come to dine?”

Wei Han turned around and gave a slight nod to the female proprietress standing inside the doorway.

The proprietress smiled. “Our tavern isn’t open for business today. The head chef has gone to the Grand Marshal’s residence to prepare a reunion feast.”

The Grand Marshal’s residence?

A reunion feast?

Wei Han’s thin lips pressed into a line.

So this was why he hadn’t gotten dinner?

It seemed unreasonable to be unhappy about it, yet he was unhappy nonetheless…

The Prince, in poor spirits, gave the proprietress a cold nod. “Then I’ll come again tomorrow.”

Seeing Wei Han turn to leave, the proprietress hurriedly said, “Prince, please wait a moment.”

Wei Han stopped and looked at the proprietress.

The proprietress quickly walked into the main hall. Before long, she emerged carrying a black lacquered food box and handed it over. “Our proprietor said that if the Prince came to dine tonight, I should give you this to take with you.”

In the thin twilight, the man’s lips curved upward beyond his control as he reached out to accept the food box.

The heavy food box settled into his hands, and the smile at his lips grew more pronounced.

“Please thank your proprietor for me.” Wei Han left these words and departed from the tavern carrying the food box.

Along the way, he encountered familiar faces one after another.

“Prince, you went to the Youjian Tavern to dine? Why are you leaving so early?” Minister Zhao wore a rather rotund-looking padded jacket, his hands tucked into his sleeves as he asked with a beaming smile.

The old Minister was in an excellent mood.

Grand Marshal Luo had finally been released—he could finally go dine at the tavern again.

These past days, his private funds had only accumulated without being spent, which felt quite uncomfortable. Spending money was much more satisfying.

However, Prince Kaiyang still visited the Youjian Tavern most frequently—it seemed he had been first to arrive again today.

Noticing the food box Wei Han carried, Minister Zhao had a realization. “The Prince is taking it home to eat?”

Wei Han thought about it—this explanation was reasonable—and nodded.

“Taking it home is certainly convenient, though on such a cold day, it’s still better to eat while it’s hot in the main hall.” Minister Zhao cupped his hands toward Wei Han and quickened his pace toward the Youjian Tavern.

Wei Han silently swallowed the reminder he had been about to give.

At Minister Zhao’s age, a bit more physical activity was actually good for him.

Minister Zhao hurried excitedly to the Youjian Tavern, only to be dumbfounded by the tightly closed doors.

Was it not open for business?

Wait—if it wasn’t open, where did Prince Kaiyang get that food box?

The old Minister immediately felt angry and moved forward to pound on the door.

Before his knocking hand could fall, the door suddenly opened.

The proprietress emerged carrying a freshly written notice. Seeing Minister Zhao standing outside, she hurriedly greeted him.

“What’s going on here?” Minister Zhao pointed inside.

Usually, the tavern’s main hall was brightly lit, nearly as bright as day. Today they were certainly saving on candles.

“Our tavern isn’t open for business today.” The proprietress efficiently posted the notice on the main door.

Minister Zhao looked closely and saw four large characters written on it: Closed for One Day.

In that moment, Minister Zhao’s mood became like that frozen-stiff wine flag—utterly miserable.

“We’ll be introducing new dishes tomorrow. Please come again tomorrow.” The proprietress curtsied, her smile full of enthusiasm.

She didn’t dare not be enthusiastic—she had the distinct feeling this old Minister wanted to tear down the notice she had just posted.

That wouldn’t do. The proprietor’s father had been released from prison, and from her years of experience as proprietress, she could tell that tonight would see a flood of would-be customers. Without posting a notice explaining the situation, the door would be pounded to pieces.

Minister Zhao nodded with a stern face. After walking two steps, he suddenly remembered something. “If you’re not open today, can I get takeout?”

The proprietress blinked. “Takeout? What takeout?”

Minister Zhao scrutinized the proprietress for several moments, silently swallowing his comment about Prince Kaiyang having a food box.

If he raised this point and the proprietress said Prince Kaiyang could get takeout but he couldn’t, wouldn’t that be quite embarrassing?

The old Minister walked away full of disappointment. Along the way, he encountered his old friend Minister Qian, encountered Imperial Academy Director Lin with his grandson who could enjoy half-price, and encountered quite a few faces both familiar and unfamiliar.

Minister Zhao didn’t mention to any of them that the tavern was closed.

Ahem, on such a cold day, a bit more physical activity was quite good for them.

At this moment, in the Grand Marshal residence’s dining hall, the aromas were already making mouths water, and everyone’s faces bore smiles.

No—there was one exception: Luo Qing.

The moment she had seen Yun Dong, her heart had begun to worry: Why hadn’t Eldest Brother come?

After Father’s release, the whole family was gathering together to eat, and even Fifth Brother had come—there was no reason for Eldest Brother not to come.

However, she couldn’t ask about this on such an occasion and could only suppress her doubts.

Because she had something on her mind, even delicious food became tasteless in her mouth.

Grand Marshal Luo quickly noticed Luo Qing’s abnormality.

It wasn’t that he was particularly perceptive about his daughter’s concerns, but rather that with such delicious dishes laid before her, she was barely touching her chopsticks—it was far too unusual.

When something was unusually abnormal, there was surely a problem.

“Qing’er.”

Hearing the Grand Marshal call her name, Luo Qing’s heart seized. “What does Father need from your daughter?”

“Why do you have no appetite?”

Feeling several gazes turn toward her, Luo Qing’s face flushed slightly. “I’ve caught a bit of a chill and can’t eat much.”

“Then have a physician come examine you.” The Grand Marshal gave this instruction, then, seeing Yun Dong reaching for duck tongue, quickly extended his own chopsticks.

He hadn’t noticed before that this young fellow had quite an appetite—didn’t talk much, just knew how to eat.

Seeing the Grand Marshal’s attention had shifted, Luo Qing quietly breathed a sigh of relief, though worry floated up in her eyes.

Luo Ying saw everything and silently sighed. After thinking for a moment, she asked, “Father, why didn’t Eldest Brother come to dinner?”

Judging by Second Sister’s condition, if she didn’t get a clear answer, she probably wouldn’t even be able to sleep. Better to ask on Second Sister’s behalf.

As these words left her mouth, Yun Dong’s reaching chopsticks paused.

Grand Marshal Luo was completely unaffected. He smoothly picked up the duck tongue and ate it before saying in a casual tone, “In the future, there’s no need to call Pingli ‘Eldest Brother’ anymore. I don’t have such an adopted son.”

Luo Qing’s face went white, and she nearly dropped her chopsticks.

The anxiety she had been suppressing finally overwhelmed her shyness in that moment, making her unable to stop herself from asking, “Father, what happened to Eldest Brother?”

Grand Marshal Luo said flatly, “An ungrateful wretch single-mindedly focused on climbing upward doesn’t deserve to be your eldest brother.”