Grand Commander Luo’s meal was far from satisfying. After all, even when every dish brought to the table was delicious, what one couldn’t eat always seemed the most fragrant.

Wei Han’s meal was equally unsettled.

Miss Luo had said the tavern closing until the Lantern Festival was already difficult enough—if they closed even earlier, it would be unbearable.

Grand Commander Luo wiped his mouth and stood up. “Sheng’er, come back to the manor with me.”

Luo Sheng nodded in agreement and took the snow fox fur cloak Kou’er handed her, putting it on.

“Please take your time eating, Your Highness.” Grand Commander Luo politely greeted him, while inwardly thinking ungraciously: Prince Kaiyang really is a bottomless pit.

Wei Han also stood up. “I’m finished eating.”

The three of them walked out of the tavern entrance one after another.

Cold wind mixed with snowflakes struck their faces mercilessly, whipping up hair and hems of clothing.

A green umbrella opened, held over Luo Sheng’s head.

Facing Grand Commander Luo’s murderous glare, Wei Han remained completely composed. “Miss Luo, please use this umbrella—it’s larger.”

With such a plain and practical reason, what could Luo Sheng say? She accepted it and politely thanked him.

Grand Commander Luo’s “I have an umbrella” that hadn’t yet left his lips could only be silently swallowed back down.

On the road back to the manor, Grand Commander Luo restrained himself again and again, but finally couldn’t help asking, “Sheng’er, you and Prince Kaiyang—”

Just how far have things developed?

Prince Kaiyang’s status was too high; right now there was absolutely no way to deal with that boy. Unless that boy became his son-in-law—then he could settle accounts later.

Grand Commander Luo looked at his daughter eagerly, with only one thought in mind: Sheng’er, you must seize the opportunity!

Luo Sheng asked openly, “What does Father want to ask?”

Judging by Grand Commander Luo’s expression, he seemed to be questioning her relationship with Prince Kaiyang.

However… as a father, wouldn’t he be angry about such suspicions?

She even detected a hint of anticipation.

This being the case, Luo Sheng instead couldn’t figure out what Grand Commander Luo meant by this question.

Grand Commander Luo glanced left and right.

The attendants who had come along were all walking behind them, with two people ahead carrying lanterns.

These were all trusted confidants—no fear of being overheard.

Grand Commander Luo lowered his voice. “Ahem, this father thinks Prince Kaiyang treats you quite well. Does he like you?”

With a normal daughter, this kind of conversation shouldn’t occur, but Sheng’er was different.

Under Grand Commander Luo’s gaze, Luo Sheng’s expression showed not the slightest change. She shook her head. “No, Prince Kaiyang only likes eating.”

She could see it now—Grand Commander Luo was hoping his daughter would hurry up and marry.

To avoid complications, it was better not to give Grand Commander Luo the mistaken impression that she planned to marry.

Luo Sheng looked at Grand Commander Luo with complete seriousness. “Father, please rest assured. Your daughter has absolutely no intention of marrying—I want to stay home and keep you company for the rest of my life.”

Grand Commander Luo’s breath caught, and the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

During the New Year no less—what kind of inauspicious talk was this to frighten him!

“Sheng’er—” Despite being extremely reluctant, Grand Commander Luo still praised Wei Han. “Prince Kaiyang is actually quite good. If he’s truly sincere toward you, you might consider him a little…”

If even one matchmaker had come to the door these past few years, just based on Prince Kaiyang’s behavior of monopolizing the food tonight, he wouldn’t give that boy a second glance when considering son-in-law candidates.

Luo Sheng frowned. “Your daughter thinks things are quite good as they are now. Besides, there are still Eldest Sister and Second Sister above me—I’m not in a hurry.”

Thinking of his eldest and second daughters, Grand Commander Luo’s breath caught again, and he even felt a faint angina.

These two daughters worried him even more than Sheng’er now.

Grand Commander Luo couldn’t be bothered to continue speaking well of Prince Kaiyang against his conscience. He said in a heavy voice, “I’ve already instructed everyone in the manor about Pingli’s matter—for now, don’t let your Second Sister know.”

Luo Sheng nodded, indicating she understood.

Seeing they had reached the Luo manor entrance, Grand Commander Luo said unhurriedly, “Sheng’er, close the tavern early and have a proper New Year.”

Since Sheng’er had no thoughts of marriage for now, what use was Prince Kaiyang? Better to close the tavern early and let him go without.

Heh, monopolizing the food indeed.

Grand Commander Luo’s case reached its conclusion.

The magistrate of Liuqing County confessed that he had been instigated by Grand Commander Luo’s adopted son Pingli, and the assassin who attempted to kill the magistrate of Liuqing County also admitted that Pingli had paid him to silence the magistrate.

Pingli was already dead, so the reason for his actions could only be guessed. The reason wasn’t difficult to surmise—it must have been to become the first person in the Jinlin Guard, unwilling to remain beneath Grand Commander Luo forever.

What was truly alarming was that mysterious assassin organization, which had killed Pingli to silence him when the matter was exposed, preventing Pingli from revealing information about the organization.

For a time, some in the court were filled with trepidation.

To think there was such an existence beyond the court’s control—as long as you paid, they would kill anyone you wanted.

Hiss—previously when Prince Pingnan was ambushed on Qingxing Street, wasn’t it the work of this assassin organization?

In the minds of civil and military officials, the unsolved case of Prince Pingnan’s ambush finally had an answer.

In the Ministry of Justice office, Lin Teng’s expression was grave. “This subordinate believes they are not the same matter.”

Minister Zhao nearly jumped up. “How are they not the same matter? They are the same matter—hurry up and close the case!”

Close the case so we can celebrate the New Year properly.

Hearing that a certain tavern was closing for the New Year, his mood was already poor, and now this stubborn brat Lin Teng was being obstinate.

Lin Teng remained unmoved. “Although both involved concealed archery ambushes, there are still significant differences in the details. This subordinate believes—”

“Do you have evidence?” Minister Zhao interrupted Lin Teng.

Lin Teng remained silent.

“Do you have a suspect?”

Lin Teng still remained silent.

Minister Zhao irritably flicked his sleeves. “No evidence, no suspect—what do you believe? Close the case quickly and go drink at that tavern before it closes.”

Lin Teng hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.

There was no evidence. As for a suspect—

There wasn’t really any basis, but he couldn’t help thinking of that green snake retrieved from the tree hollow, which led him to think of a certain person.

Never mind. Since the Minister insisted on closing the case, so be it for now.

Emperor Yong’an looked through the case files and summoned Grand Commander Luo to the palace for a thorough scolding.

“You’ve commanded the Jinlin Guard for so many years, and that Pingli was raised by your own hand, yet you were so easily manipulated?”

Grand Commander Luo looked utterly ashamed. “This subject is incompetent!”

Emperor Yong’an impatiently waved his hand. “Withdraw. If you create such chaos again in the future, the position of Jinlin Guard Commander will be given to someone else.”

Grand Commander Luo fearfully took his leave.

Walking out through the high and heavy palace gates, Grand Commander Luo inwardly breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

This time could be considered a blessing in disguise.

A Jinlin Guard Commander who handled most Guard affairs with ease but occasionally made oversights would surely better reassure His Majesty’s suspicious heart.

This stumble had been recovered from.

Moreover, this matter left civil and military officials with a lingering question.

The truth had already come to light, yet His Majesty had not issued an edict to execute the youngest son of Prince Zhennan, but instead had placed him under house arrest.

Twelve years ago, the Prince Zhennan’s manor had been annihilated on charges of treason. Now why had His Majesty spared the youngest son of Prince Zhennan’s life?