Luo Sheng looked at the young man with gratification, her gaze frank and direct.

After Second Sister married out, she had once brought her husband and son back to Jinsha to visit family, and she had met this nephew then.

At that time, her eldest nephew was still a snotty-nosed little child. Who would have thought that in what seemed like the blink of an eye to her, he had grown even taller than her?

Wait—Luo Sheng studied the young man and suddenly felt something was off.

Calculating his age, her eldest nephew should only be seventeen this year, but the young man before her looked about twenty. Did her nephew have such a mature appearance?

Luo Sheng had been staring at the young man for quite some time. Grand Marshal Luo coughed lightly to block his daughter’s view and earnestly advised: “Sheng’er, come home with Father.”

One couldn’t take Academician Lin’s grandson home as a male concubine—at most, teasing him a bit would suffice.

With her view blocked by Grand Marshal Luo, Luo Sheng had no choice but to withdraw her gaze, remarking casually: “So Academician Lin’s grandson works at the Ministry of Justice. I’ve heard he’s quite talented.”

Grand Marshal Luo replied offhandedly: “The one with the literary reputation is the second grandson, who’s still studying at the academy. He and the eldest grandson working at the Ministry of Justice are cousins.”

Luo Sheng understood: “I see. Is he studying at Qingya Academy?”

Sensing several gazes turning their way, Grand Marshal Luo coughed dryly: “Sheng’er, if you have questions, let’s ask them after we return to the manor.”

The young man, having been scrutinized by Luo Sheng for some time, felt his ears turn red, but the more he listened, the more wrong it seemed.

First asking who he was, then inquiring about his cousin—what exactly did this young lady intend?

He had heard that Grand Marshal Luo’s precious daughter acted willfully and was something of a female lecher.

But inquiring about him was one thing—why ask about his cousin? His cousin was still a child!

Through the towering figure of Grand Marshal Luo, the young man couldn’t help looking toward Luo Sheng, his stern eyes concealing wariness.

Wei Han watched the two exchange glances with cold eyes, then turned and left expressionlessly.

With the truth of the murder case revealed, everyone felt it improper to remain and took their leave of Prince and Princess Consort Pingnan one after another.

That scarlet figure mixed in the crowd wasn’t particularly conspicuous, so naturally didn’t attract Luo Sheng’s attention.

Her thoughts were still focused on her nephew.

Eldest Sister had left behind one son and one daughter, Second Sister had left behind one son. Now that both sisters were gone, she naturally needed to pay attention to how these three children were faring.

Shi Yan watched as his master had already left while Miss Luo remained unmoved, and coughed heavily.

Miss Luo was truly fickle, wasn’t she? How could she completely ignore the master?

And the master—could he really leave at a time like this?

The fickle Miss Luo still didn’t spare them a glance, while the master had already walked far away.

Shi Yan sighed and hurried to catch up.

“Let’s go.” Grand Marshal Luo looked at his three daughters with heartfelt comfort.

With such a major incident today, Sheng’er had neither caused trouble nor bullied her sisters—she had truly matured. As for settling accounts with Elder Chen’s family, that could wait.

Luo Qing and Luo Yue had long been eager to leave this place and quickly nodded in agreement.

But Luo Sheng said: “Father, take Second Sister and Fourth Sister and go ahead. I’ll say a few words and follow right after.”

Without waiting for Grand Marshal Luo to nod, she walked openly toward the young man.

Grand Marshal Luo didn’t leave.

How could he dare? If he left now, what if his daughter snatched the National Academy Superintendent’s grandson back as a male concubine the moment he turned around?

If she truly liked him, he could at least engage a matchmaker to speak with the Lin manor.

The young guard who had caught up with his master tugged at Wei Han’s sleeve: “Master, look back!”

His voice was urgent and surprised. Wei Han naturally looked back, and thus saw the young lady gracefully walking before that young man, smiling and saying something.

The young man, who had been about to leave with Minister Zhao, looked at the young lady standing before him with heightened vigilance: “Does the young lady have business with me?”

“I haven’t yet thanked you for clearing me of suspicion.”

The young man’s tone was tense: “It’s within my duties. I dare not accept the young lady’s thanks.”

Luo Sheng smiled: “Regardless, you’ve helped me greatly. Another day, my father will bring me to call upon you in thanks.”

By putting it out there first, she could naturally arrange to see her eldest nephew later.

The usually calm and serious young man nearly lost his composure, the corner of his mouth twitching: “The young lady is too kind. It’s truly unnecessary.”

“Whether you think it’s unnecessary is your concern. Whether the Luo manor feels gratitude is due is the Luo manor’s concern. So it’s settled then.” Having finished speaking, Luo Sheng curtsied to the young man, then turned toward Grand Marshal Luo waiting not far away.

After walking several steps, she suddenly turned back: “I haven’t yet asked your name.”

The young man was silent for a moment before forcing out two words with difficulty: “Lin Teng.”

A trace of a smile escaped Luo Sheng’s lips as she nodded to indicate she understood.

“Father, let’s return to the manor.”

Grand Marshal Luo breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as she didn’t directly snatch someone, visiting the Lin manor was no great matter.

Watching Grand Marshal Luo depart with his three daughters, Minister Zhao heavily patted Lin Teng’s shoulder with meaningful emphasis: “Lin Teng, there’s a case that requires traveling outside the capital. How about I assign it to you?”

Though he wasn’t skilled at solving cases, he was skilled at being considerate of his subordinates.

Such an excellent subordinate, his right-hand man—if he were truly snatched away by Grand Marshal Luo’s daughter to become a male concubine, what would he do?

Lin Teng shook his head in refusal: “This humble official would rather remain in the capital.”

Miss Luo had been inquiring about his cousin—he needed to stand guard.

“This—” Minister Zhao glanced at the graceful retreating figure, a bold thought floating up in his heart.

Could this child have gone blind?

Grand Marshal Luo led his daughters forward and discovered Prince Kaiyang lingering ahead.

In the past, he would have courteously greeted him, but as he passed Wei Han, Grand Marshal Luo merely nodded reservedly and walked past.

Wei Han stood in place without moving and called out coolly: “Miss Luo.”

In this moment, he felt somewhat vaguely displeased.

Of course, this had nothing to do with Miss Luo developing interest in Minister Zhao’s subordinate. It was merely that now the murder case had been resolved, shouldn’t the focus be on their transaction?

Wei Han’s expression was cool as he watched the young lady stop.

Grand Marshal Luo stopped even more abruptly.

“What does the Prince want with my daughter?” Grand Marshal Luo felt somewhat panicked, and also somewhat angry.

He knew his daughter’s temperament best. If she truly became entangled with Prince Kaiyang, it would be disastrous.

Never mind anything else—what if his daughter abandoned Prince Kaiyang after toying with him? Even as Grand Marshal, he couldn’t protect her from that.

Having called out to Luo Sheng, Wei Han heard the father’s question and felt he had been rather impulsive.

His expression grew even more composed as he extended the box: “It’s nothing major. This Prince merely feels the dagger should be returned to its owner.”

“Prince—” Shi Yan couldn’t help calling out.

How could he return the betrothal token? Was the master so shocked he had become disheartened?

Wei Han glanced at Shi Yan coldly.

If he didn’t return the dagger, what reason could he use to explain calling the young lady over?

Hearing about returning the dagger, Grand Marshal Luo looked at Luo Sheng.

“Return it to its owner?” Luo Sheng lowered her eyes to stare at the box containing the dagger for a moment, then nodded slightly. “That’s fine.”

Her fair hand extended to receive the box.

Wei Han’s brow jumped.

She took it back without a single polite word?

Shi Yan: “…”

Three thousand taels—no, three thousand five hundred taels of silver—did they blow in on the wind?