Xu Fang quickly wiped away her tears and asked Luo Sheng, “Miss Luo, what do you need me to do next?”

“The same thing as before—first escape from that hellish pit, then we’ll talk.”

Xu Fang felt somewhat uneasy. “Do I really not need to do anything?”

Luo Sheng smiled. “Of course there are things to do, but first you must take care of yourself.”

Xu Fang had wanted to say she didn’t care about herself, but thinking of what the young woman before her had said that day, she silently swallowed her words.

What her mother worried about most before dying was probably her.

Miss Luo was right—if her mother’s spirit watched from above, she would care.

She needed to live well so her mother could rest at ease.

“Will you stay to drink wine?” Luo Sheng asked.

Xu Fang shook her head. “Not at a time like this. In the future… I’ll often come to drink wine with Miss Luo, as long as you don’t find me bothersome.”

“I won’t. The tavern always welcomes Miss Xu.”

Wei Han walked into the main hall, catching every word.

Often come to drink wine with Miss Luo?

He glanced at Xu Fang, his brow furrowing slightly.

Was this Miss Xu so close with Miss Luo that she could frequently drink wine with her?

He recalled that day drinking together under the persimmon tree with Miss Luo—his mood had remained pleasant for quite some time afterward.

What was rare and precious to him was apparently commonplace to others?

This discovery made Wei Han’s mood suddenly become subtle.

He was a bit unhappy.

His expression remained unchanged as he greeted them as usual. “Miss Luo.”

Seeing Wei Han arrive, Xu Fang quickly curtsied. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Wei Han nodded slightly. “No need for such formality.”

Xu Fang rose and bid farewell to Luo Sheng. “Miss Luo, I’ll take my leave now.”

“The roads are slippery—take care, Miss Xu.”

After watching Xu Fang depart, Luo Sheng turned to Wei Han. “Your Highness comes early today.”

Wei Han’s expression was serious. “Not early at all.”

After all, someone else had gotten here first.

Luo Sheng didn’t know what to say.

She had casually made a polite remark, but Prince Kaiyang answered so earnestly—what could she say to that?

Wei Han walked over and extended an invitation. “Let’s go look at the persimmon tree together.”

Luo Sheng raised an eyebrow.

So he had something to discuss.

“Alright.”

The two headed toward the back together.

Shi Yan wiped the tables while shaking his head secretly.

That persimmon tree got used as an excuse every day—it was rather pitiful.

Naturally, the two who entered the back courtyard didn’t linger there but went directly into the room.

Xu Xi, seeing this scene, forgot to bring down the axe he held aloft.

Zhuang Han glared. “Slacking off again!”

Xu Xi pointed at the door. “His Highness… Miss Luo…”

How did they go into the room together?

Zhuang Han smiled smugly. “His Highness and our proprietress have an excellent relationship. If you don’t behave, I’ll have His Highness deal with you.”

Xu Xi’s mouth twitched.

Was the point their good relationship? Wasn’t it improper for a man and woman alone together?

Then, seeing how everyone else took this in stride, the young man brought his axe down forcefully.

He understood now—everyone at this tavern was sick in the head. He must train diligently and escape this sea of suffering as soon as possible.

Of course, when he left, he would take the cook with him.

Inside the room, warmth filled the air. Luo Sheng poured tea and handed it to Wei Han.

Wei Han touched the warm teacup and offered his thanks.

“Are you closing the net?” Luo Sheng asked.

Wei Han nodded. “Yes, we’ll close the net today. I came to inform Miss Luo.”

“Thank you for your efforts these past days, Your Highness.”

“Miss Luo is too kind. I was already under orders to investigate these matters.”

Luo Sheng took a sip of tea, then suddenly asked, “Back then at the abandoned residence of Prince Zhennan’s manor, were you also investigating under orders, Your Highness?”

Wei Han froze, looking deeply at Luo Sheng.

He had thought that encounter was something Miss Luo preferred not to mention again.

Had something changed?

Without making Luo Sheng wait long, Wei Han nodded. “Yes.”

Across the rising tea fragrance, Luo Sheng asked, “That incident happened twelve years ago—why investigate it now?”

After a brief silence, Wei Han said, “Perhaps His Majesty had some doubts about how the Grand Commander handled that matter twelve years ago, so he had me investigate again.”

Luo Sheng lowered her eyes to stare at her teacup, thinking before saying, “So that’s why my father later suffered imprisonment?”

When the emperor lost trust, ministers could fall from grace at any moment.

Over all these years, it had been the same for any minister—they remained safe not because they posed no threat to the throne, but because when the emperor trusted you, even if those matters were brought before him, he would ignore them.

“Yes.” Wei Han gazed at the young woman sitting across from him.

Miss Luo was truly clever.

And Luo Sheng, meeting the eyes of the man sitting opposite her, finally asked that question. “I’m somewhat curious—why didn’t His Majesty execute Prince Zhennan’s youngest son?”

Although she knew that child was a fake Bao’er, in everyone else’s eyes he was real.

The Emperor sparing Prince Zhennan’s youngest son’s life invited too much speculation.

She couldn’t get an answer from Grand Commander Luo, so she would try asking the man before her.

Perhaps there would be some gain.

The room fell quiet.

The dull sounds of chopping wood came from the courtyard, one after another, disturbing the heartstrings.

Luo Sheng thought she wouldn’t get an answer, but Wei Han spoke. “I suspect His Majesty was considering replacing the Crown Prince.”

Luo Sheng’s eyelids trembled.

Wei Han wore a nonchalant smile. “Perhaps it was just a fleeting thought, but His Majesty is a thorough person—even if he ultimately wouldn’t do it, for the sake of that thought alone he would plan ahead.”

Just like how he dealt with Prince Zhennan’s manor?

Luo Sheng didn’t voice this question.

She and Prince Kaiyang were ultimately people standing on opposite sides. Even if their recent proximity had created some illusion, it couldn’t change this fact.

However, she acknowledged that Prince Kaiyang was a very good person.

“What does Your Highness think of the Crown Prince?”

Wei Han’s tone was indifferent. “I don’t like him.”

Luo Sheng’s lips moved slightly, almost wanting to laugh.

Such an answer—so direct.

And this undoubtedly improved her mood. She picked up the teapot to refill his cup.

Wei Han’s gaze fell on that fair hand, forgetting to look away for a moment.

Such a seemingly delicate and soft hand could make such delicious food and discipline people—it was truly remarkable.

He suddenly had the urge to hold that hand.

“Your Highness.” Luo Sheng called out.

Wei Han snapped back to attention, looking at her innocently.

“If you’re closing the net, shouldn’t Your Highness go supervise?”

“No need.”

“It’s still early. Let’s go look at the persimmon tree then.” Luo Sheng set down her teacup and stood.

With official business concluded, continuing to sit like this would inevitably become awkward.

Wei Han reluctantly set down his teacup.

Compared to looking at that bare, ugly persimmon tree, he preferred sitting here drinking tea with Miss Luo.

The sounds of chopping wood in the courtyard had stopped—Xu Xi had followed Zhuang Han to the kitchen for water.

The persimmon tree draped in silver stood quietly there, allowing people to admire it.

Two sparrows landed on the branches, pecking at each other affectionately. One suddenly spread its wings and flew away, the other immediately following.

The branches swayed, shaking down a shower of fine snow.

Wei Han quickly extended his hand to shield Luo Sheng’s head.

Luo Sheng looked up and smiled. “No need for that—it’s just a little snow.”

The person shielding her from the snow didn’t respond, quietly watching her.