Wei Han strode over, casually brushed the accumulated snow from the stone bench opposite, and sat down.

This blocked Luo Sheng’s view of the firewood-chopping young man.

“Kou’er, go fetch a thick cushion.” Luo Sheng glanced at Wei Han and gave a flat instruction.

“No need.”

Luo Sheng raised an eyebrow.

Wei Han coughed lightly into his fist and changed his tune. “Actually, that would be good.”

Kou’er quickly brought a cushion.

Seeing that the cushion matched Luo Sheng’s, Wei Han’s lips curved with satisfaction as he settled comfortably into his seat.

His gaze swept over the jade-colored wine pot on the stone table. He asked in a deep voice, “Why are you drinking alone?”

“With nothing to do, fine weather, and the pleasant sight of someone working, I thought I’d have a few drinks.” Luo Sheng said with a smile.

Wei Han gazed at her. After a moment, he lifted the wine pot and filled the fresh cup Kou’er had just presented, raising it slightly.

Luo Sheng lifted her wine cup and took a sip.

The burning liquor had grown somewhat cold, yet it seared going down her throat.

Wei Han finished his cup in one gulp and poured again, only to find the pot empty.

“Kou’er, bring two more pots of wine.”

Kou’er quickly brought two pots of wine and placed them within reach of the two.

Wei Han poured a cup for Luo Sheng and one for himself, then advised, “Drinking in moderation is best. Miss Luo shouldn’t drink too much.”

“Mm.” Luo Sheng responded casually and sent Kou’er and Hong Dou off to attend to other matters.

For a time, only the two drinking together remained in the courtyard, along with the young man chopping firewood in the corner and his overseer.

The wind blew, and the branches of the persimmon tree swayed idly, scattering fine snow powder.

Luo Sheng asked, “There’s a Manager Zhu at Thousand Gold Manor. Does Your Highness know of him?”

“I do. He’s the sworn younger brother of Thousand Gold Manor’s owner and the leader of those assassins hiding in the manor.”

Luo Sheng tightened her grip on her cup, her tone cold. “And what of the owner of Thousand Gold Manor?”

Wei Han took a sip of wine. “According to our current understanding, the owner of Thousand Gold Manor has been kept in the dark and is not privy to this. Thousand Gold Manor has operated as a gambling house for many years, while Manager Zhu appeared in the capital seven years ago.”

Luo Sheng’s eyebrows moved slightly.

Seven years ago was precisely when Wei Qiang had been adopted into Emperor Yong’an’s line and entered the capital.

Whether there was a connection would depend on whether Prince Kaiyang could extract anything from these people after closing the net.

“Your Highness, when closing the net this time, let Manager Zhu remain as a fish that slipped through.”

Wei Han looked deeply at Luo Sheng but didn’t ask further questions, only saying it was fine.

Wei Han’s lack of questions made Luo Sheng feel very relaxed.

If he had asked, she could certainly have fabricated some reason to deflect, but at this moment, she felt that even one more matter would be exhausting.

Not asking was best.

The empty wine pots on the stone table grew more numerous.

“Can Your Highness sit here?” Luo Sheng lazily tapped the stone bench beside her.

Wei Han held his wine cup, looking at her.

From drinking, the young lady’s cheeks were flushed with a rosy glow that was especially captivating against the backdrop of pristine white snow.

Wei Han thought: Miss Luo is truly beautiful.

He moved over, person and cushion together. Being so close, he seemed able to catch the scent of fresh plum blossoms.

Luo Sheng smiled. “This way it won’t block the view.”

Wei Han grew still, then looked over as well.

Xu Xi threw down his axe and sat directly on the ground. “I’m exhausted! I’m not doing this anymore!”

The burly man glared. “You’ve only chopped this much firewood and you’re quitting? Get up immediately. No slacking!”

Xu Xi gritted his teeth in anger. “Nobody treats people this way! You’re working me like a mule!”

The burly man sneered coldly. “Stop insulting mules. Could a mule be this useless?”

Seeing the two starting to argue, Wei Han set down his wine cup and strode over.

“Your Highness.” The burly man quickly saluted.

Wei Han nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Xu Xi.

Xu Xi scrambled up and performed a bow.

Wei Han picked up the axe with one hand, positioned the wood with the other, and skillfully split the wood into evenly sized small segments, stacking them neatly.

Xu Xi stared in stunned amazement.

“This is how you chop firewood.” Wei Han dropped this statement and strode back toward Luo Sheng.

The young man stood dazed for a long while, looking blankly at the burly man.

Why did Prince Kaiyang come over to teach him how to chop firewood?

Could it be—this firewood chopping wasn’t really about chopping firewood, but practicing some supreme martial art?

That must be it! Prince Kaiyang was the war god who struck fear into Northern Qi. Perhaps this was exactly how he trained!

Xu Xi’s eyes lit up as he swung the axe with renewed vigor.

Once he mastered this supreme skill, he would chop down everyone who had bullied him.

The burly man watched the suddenly energized young man and scratched his chin in puzzlement.

Had he been teaching wrong before?

Wei Han returned to his seat, lifted the wine pot and shook it, then smiled at Luo Sheng. “There’s no more wine.”

Luo Sheng looked deeply at the man beside her.

She had a bold hypothesis: Prince Kaiyang was drunk again.

“Drinking in moderation is best.” Luo Sheng returned his earlier advice to him.

The man’s eyes sparkled as he looked at her. “But I still want to drink.”

Luo Sheng pressed her lips together.

He really was drunk.

“When the tavern opens its doors, Your Highness can drink with some food accompaniment.”

Wei Han shook his head. “Then I wouldn’t be able to drink together with Miss Luo.”

When Luo Sheng fell silent, he added, “I’ve never drunk wine together with Miss Luo before.”

Drinking face to face like this—they had never done so before.

Luo Sheng glanced over the table surface.

Seven or eight wine pots sat on the table, yet there wasn’t even a single dish of food to accompany the drink.

Not a single dish, and he could get this drunk?

“I rarely drink with others.” Luo Sheng said flatly.

Not only did the man beside her show no dejection at being politely refused, he actually smiled. “Then I’m very honored today.”

Luo Sheng no longer wanted to speak.

She had discovered that when Prince Kaiyang got drunk, his shamelessness would thicken accordingly.

“Kou’er.”

Kou’er poked her head out from the doorway connecting the main hall to the rear courtyard.

“Bring two more pots of wine.”

Since he insisted on drinking, she wouldn’t stop him. Right now, she only wanted to drink too.

In the main hall, Shi Yan thoughtfully reminded Kou’er, “Two pots definitely won’t be enough. Bring two jars directly.”

Wine emboldens courage. Perhaps today their master could finally show some spirit.

Kou’er thought this made sense and carried over two jars of wine.

Luo Sheng filled the cups. Two cups had barely gone down when the wine jar at the man beside her was already empty.

His large hand gradually moved closer.

Luo Sheng watched coldly, keeping her composure.

She wanted to see what this fellow would do while drunk. Surely he wouldn’t act like a lecher?

The large hand drew nearer and nearer.

The man’s hand had distinct knuckles, very different from hers.

Luo Sheng curled her fingers, contemplating whether, if he made improper advances, she should splash the burning liquor in his face or directly slap him.

That large hand finally moved cautiously close, then took the unfinished wine jar beside the young lady.

Luo Sheng fell silent.

The wind picked up, blowing the accumulated snow from the persimmon tree in rustling cascades, as if it were snowing again.

Luo Sheng felt her mood was somewhat complicated.

During her years as Princess Qingyang, she had never imagined she would be someone prone to self-delusion.

Yet since becoming Miss Luo, she had experienced this several times with this man!

At the doorway, the young guard who had been peeking through the lifted curtain saw this scene and felt as if ten thousand arrows had pierced his heart. He clutched his chest and dropped the curtain.

He wouldn’t watch anymore. It was too piercing to the heart!