“Uncle Wang.” Princess Changle took the initiative to greet him.

Wei Han’s gaze swept toward the counter area. Not seeing that familiar figure, he walked over.

“Where is Miss Luo?”

Princess Changle propped her hand on the table and said casually, “A’Sheng went to make glutinous rice and sweet bean paste rolls for me.”

Wei Han stared at her steadily for a moment.

Princess Changle picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and pushed it in front of Wei Han. “Uncle Wang, have some tea.”

Wei Han sat down.

“Uncle Wang, I want to inquire about something.”

“Mm.”

Princess Changle was already accustomed to this uncle’s coldness and asked without concern, “Uncle Wang, have you heard about A’Sheng taking an interest in Su Yao?”

Wei Han looked at her expressionlessly.

Princess Changle blinked. “So you haven’t heard about it?”

“Why are you asking about this?” Wei Han asked in a low voice.

Princess Changle smiled. “Just curious. I quite favor Su Yao, so if A’Sheng likes him—”

Wei Han’s face turned cold as he said indifferently, “She doesn’t like him.”

Princess Changle’s smile faded as she looked at Wei Han suspiciously. “A’Sheng even said everyone knows about it, but it turns out Uncle Wang doesn’t know.”

Wei Han: “…”

“No wonder A’Sheng asked me for Feiyang.” Princess Changle scrutinized Wei Han’s expression, finding it increasingly suspicious.

She was merely inquiring about A’Sheng’s past—why was Prince Kaiyang putting on such a cold face?

“Your Highness, you’re here early.” Luo Sheng walked over and placed a plate of glutinous rice and sweet bean paste rolls on the table.

“The tavern’s dishes suit my taste better.” As Wei Han spoke, he picked up a piece of the sweet bean paste roll and put it in his mouth.

Princess Changle’s eyes widened.

These were the glutinous rice and sweet bean paste rolls A’Sheng made for her!

Just as she stood there stunned, Wei Han had already picked up the second piece.

Princess Changle ground her teeth. “Uncle Wang, do men also enjoy eating sweets?”

Wei Han wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief and said indifferently, “Food is only divided into tasty and not tasty, not into sweet and savory.”

Luo Sheng looked deeply at Wei Han.

Could it be that the person who previously said he wasn’t used to eating sweets was someone else?

Having only managed to snatch one glutinous rice and sweet bean paste roll, Princess Changle stood up. “A’Sheng, I’ll come find you another day.”

She wasn’t someone who wronged herself, but every time she encountered Prince Kaiyang, things didn’t go smoothly—better to keep her distance.

She had no idea why Father Emperor valued Prince Kaiyang so highly.

Seeing Princess Changle leave in a huff, Luo Sheng also felt relieved.

Being together with such a princess who did as she pleased and was utterly lawless always required maintaining full alertness.

“When Your Highness left Prince Zhennan’s manor, was my father still there?”

“The Grand Commander and I left together. He brought your younger brother back to the manor.”

“Then Your Highness should rest and have some tea. I’ll return to the manor first.”

Wei Han fell silent.

The last time Miss Luo said this, he waited until nightfall…

“I’ll escort Miss Luo back to the manor.” He simply stood up.

The two walked out of the tavern side by side, heading in the direction of the Grand Commander’s Manor.

The street was crowded with people, bustling and lively.

In lively places, lively incidents abound.

A petty thief passed by Luo Sheng’s side, reaching his hand toward the pouch tied at her waist.

It was a bag of gold leaves that Grand Commander Luo had just given to Luo Sheng.

Wei Han noticed something amiss and was about to intervene when he saw the thief’s hand get slapped away.

“Don’t think about courting death.” Luo Sheng warned indifferently.

The petty thief froze for an instant, then quickly ran off.

Luo Sheng removed the pouch and held it in her hand with a smile. “No wonder they say wealth shouldn’t be displayed—someone’s already set their sights on it this quickly.”

Wei Han awkwardly touched his nose.

He always felt that Miss Luo was so capable that there was nothing for him to do.

The two walked in silence, occasionally exchanging a few words, and it seemed even time passed more quickly.

The rather imposing Grand Commander’s Manor lay ahead. The gate attendants, startled to see the two, quickly spread the word inside.

“Grand Commander, Prince Kaiyang has arrived together with the young miss!”

Grand Commander Luo, who had been sitting drinking tea in dejection, sprang up from his chair upon hearing this. “Truly?” Then, realizing he seemed too eager, he composed himself and sat back down. “I understand. You may go. When they arrive, show them in.”

After the messenger servant left, Grand Commander Luo paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, pondering.

Prince Kaiyang had escorted Sheng’er home before, but those times were all late at night. Coming this early today definitely wasn’t as simple as just escorting Sheng’er home.

Could it be that he had picked up on the implications in his words while drinking at Prince Zhennan’s manor today and had come to propose marriage?

Grand Commander Luo quickly dismissed this speculation.

He couldn’t get too happy too soon—perhaps he was only here to probe his intentions.

In that case, he absolutely must refuse somewhat. He couldn’t let the other party think it was too easy.

Thinking this way, Grand Commander Luo became somewhat hesitant again: what if he refused too harshly and scared the person off?

Mm, he needed to leave room for hope while refusing—he had to grasp this balance well.

Grand Commander Luo turned another circle.

But that young fellow lacked courage—dragging things out this long before coming to the door. What if he ran away after being refused even slightly?

Grand Commander Luo scratched his head in distress.

He really had no experience in this area—how vexing.

Outside the Grand Commander’s Manor, Luo Sheng stopped. “Your Highness need not go further. We’ve arrived.”

Wei Han glanced at the imposing green-lacquered gate and asked, “Will Miss Luo still go to the tavern this evening?”

“Not today.”

“Then see you tomorrow evening.”

Luo Sheng smiled. “See you tomorrow evening.”

Wei Han watched Luo Sheng walk through the main gate before turning to leave.

The gate attendant had absolutely no intention of closing the door. “Young miss, is the, the prince not coming in?”

Luo Sheng swept a cool glance at the gate attendant.

The gate attendant didn’t dare say more and closed the door in confusion.

“Grand Commander, the young miss has arrived.”

Grand Commander Luo sat up straight and cleared his throat lightly. “Show her in.”

A moment later, Luo Sheng walked in. Grand Commander Luo looked behind her.

No one…

“Sheng’er, I heard Prince Kaiyang came with you. Where is he?”

Luo Sheng said casually, “He went back.”

“He didn’t come in?” Grand Commander Luo blurted out.

Luo Sheng looked at her old father in surprise. “This isn’t Prince Kaiyang’s manor—what would he come in for?”

Grand Commander Luo was stumped by the question and cursed inwardly.

That confounded fellow—he’d agonized over this for so long, only for the man not to even enter the gate.

This was truly infuriating. That young fellow was no good—unworthy of his daughter!

Luo Sheng scrutinized Grand Commander Luo’s expression and asked, “Did Father encounter something unpleasant at Prince Zhennan’s manor?”

Grand Commander Luo quickly denied, “No.”

He couldn’t let Sheng’er see that he was worried about his daughters not being able to marry.

“Sheng’er, aren’t you going to the tavern? Why did you come back so early?” Grand Commander Luo imperceptibly changed the subject.

“I met Prince Zhennan today, and your daughter has some doubts.”

“Doubts about what?”

Luo Sheng stared into Grand Commander Luo’s eyes. “Doesn’t Father think Prince Zhennan bears a strong resemblance to your daughter’s former male companion, Si Nan?”

“Cough cough cough—” Grand Commander Luo broke into violent coughing.

Luo Sheng quietly waited for him to finish coughing, then asked with a smile, “Don’t they look quite alike?”

Grand Commander Luo placed his hand on Luo Sheng’s shoulder, speaking earnestly and with deep feeling, “Sheng’er, even if you think Prince Zhennan resembles your male companion, you absolutely cannot act recklessly!”

Luo Sheng laughed. “Father, that’s not what I mean. I just think it’s too much of a coincidence. Could there be something wrong with the new Prince Zhennan’s identity—”

Grand Commander Luo’s expression changed involuntarily.