Zhong Li returned to Dali Temple as darkness fell.
The peach blossoms filling the courtyard illuminated the entire Dali Temple with a clear light under the moonlight.
She followed the winding bluestone path to her room and took out her key to open the door when footsteps approached from behind.
"Lord Lan," Zhong Li turned to see the man who had already reached her, preparing to salute.
Lan Heng quickly grabbed her wrist and said, "It is past office hours, not the imperial court. Li'er, there is no need for such formality."
Zhong Li withdrew her hand, which he was holding, and asked, "It's so late, what business do you have with me, my lord?"
Lan Heng sighed, looking at his suddenly empty palm, and said, "You should know about the matter concerning the Prince."
"Yes, A Wu told me," Zhong Li nodded.
"Actually, the Prince going to Liaocheng might not be a bad thing," Lan Heng said.
"How so?" Zhong Li asked.
"Do you remember the matter of Zuo Teng? At that time, I led a group to Liaocheng for reinforcements. It wasn't until broad daylight that the prefect opened the city gates. Fortunately, the bandits' target was to kill Zuo Teng, otherwise, I think I might have died outside Liaocheng," Lan Heng said, narrowing his eyes, his expression stern.
"If Liaocheng were a small county and behaved this way, I could understand their reluctance to provide aid. But Liaocheng is like the left ventricle of the Southern Yue Kingdom, with at least a hundred thousand troops, and soldiers on duty within the city. How could they not hear my plea for help?"
"So, does my lord suspect something is wrong with Liaocheng?" Zhong Li captured the meaning in Lan Heng's words and analyzed.
Lan Heng nodded, "Yes. If I can think of it, the Prince surely can too. Therefore, this demotion, in my opinion, is not a bad thing. Perhaps the Prince can thoroughly investigate this matter while serving in Liaocheng."
"I understand, thank you, Lord Lan," Zhong Li nodded, gave Lan Heng a slight smile, and turned to enter her room.
"Li'er!" Lan Heng called out to her.
Zhong Li looked back, seeing Lan Heng's gesture of reaching for her hand.
Lan Heng took a deep breath, slowly lowered his hand, and said, "I have something else to say."
"Please speak, my lord," Zhong Li said.
Lan Heng swallowed several times and said, "Regarding the examination of the body of Lady Nian, wife of Marquis Anping... I know Xu Qing framed you, but the situation was sudden, and I..."
"Lord Lan, you did nothing wrong," Zhong Li interrupted Lan Heng's words, "You don't need to explain anything to me. The imperial court has its rules, and Dali Temple has its laws. It was I who did not follow the rules. The Marquis of Anping's reprimand was justified."
After speaking, Zhong Li prepared to return to her room again.
Lan Heng said loudly, "Are you blaming me?"
Zhong Li frowned and looked at Lan Heng with confusion.
"I heard that Lu Wuxie smoothed things over afterward and protected you. I..."
"My lord!" Zhong Li stopped Lan Heng, "There is no relation between us. If my lord defies the Emperor's wishes, or conflicts with the Marquis of Anping for my sake, how can I face you in the future?"
Lan Heng listened, his brow furrowing, and the hand clinging to Zhong Li's door frame slowly let go.
Zhong Li bowed to Lan Heng and quickly walked into the room.
When the door was finally closed, Lan Heng leaned against the door separating them, his eyes slowly darkening. He suddenly remembered a saying from his teacher Fu Song: "Heng'er, you are good at everything, your will is firm, and you are upright. The only drawback is that sometimes you lack the ability to break through obstacles. I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse for you."
Zhong Li entered the room and picked up a fire starter to light the oil lamp on the table.
The faint sparks illuminated the small room, bringing her a sense of relief.
She made her bed, washed up, and lay down. The moonlight spilled into the room, making her a bit sleepless.
Zhong Li sat up, put on her embroidered shoes, walked to the table, and pulled open a drawer. She took out a small round ball, opened it, and began to busy herself with the bottles and jars she kept in the cabinet.
Two days later.
The south gate of Jincheng.
Zhong Li looked at Lu Wuxie, who was dressed in an apricot-colored robe, and recalled his frivolous demeanor when she first met him.
He was still the same, but after getting to know him, she found that this Lu Wuxie was more amiable and approachable than others.
"I have something to give you," she said.
Lu Wuxie chuckled and asked, "What is it? Could it be a treatise on male virtue? Don't worry, in my heart, there is only..."
He was halfway through his teasing remark when he looked down and saw the small iron ball in Zhong Li's hand, exclaiming in surprise, "A sachet?"
Zhong Li smiled and replied, "Yes. I saw a sketch of this item when I was reading 'Bo Wu Zhi' and tried to make one myself. It's a bit unsightly, please don't mind."
Lu Wuxie shook his head and took it from her hand. "I know this kind of sachet. It's a round sphere with a small bowl inside, and no matter how the wearer moves, the bowl's opening always faces upwards. However, this item was lost after the Lin Kingdom. You were able to make it."
"Yes, the principle is simple, not difficult, it's just that I don't have much talent in this area, so it's not exquisite," Zhong Li nodded.
"Not at all," Lu Wuxie said, bringing the sachet to his nose. When a faint scent of lavender wafted out, his eyebrows subtly raised. "What Li'er makes is the best in this world, priceless."
Zhong Li was most susceptible to praise directly to her face. Her cheeks blushed, and she was at a loss for words for a moment.
"Here, I need Li'er's help with something." Lu Wuxie hung the sachet on his waist and casually placed a piece of paper into her hand.
Zhong Li was surprised and wanted to open it, but Lu Wuxie stopped her, saying, "Open it when you get back."
Zhong Li nodded.
"Your Highness, we must go!" A Wu, who had been watching the two of them exchange affectionate glances, subtly reminded him as he looked at the sky.
Lu Wuxie nodded, took the cloak handed to him by A Wu, and walked towards the carriage.
Zhong Li watched him step onto the carriage, open the door, and get inside, then the carriage wheels slowly began to turn.
She took a deep breath, suppressing her somewhat desolate mood, and was about to turn back into the city when a low roar suddenly sounded from behind her.
Simultaneously surprised, she turned around.
Before she knew it, Lu Wuxie had jumped off the carriage and used his qinggong to land in front of her. Before she could ask, Zhong Li felt her waist tighten, her lips turn warm, and a faint scent of ambergris permeated her body.
The clouds in the sky rolled and unrolled, and occasionally startled birds flew by, carrying bursts of floral fragrance.
After Lu Wuxie released her, Zhong Li looked dazedly at the man's figure as he re-entered the carriage, her cheeks becoming even redder.
"Miss Zhong, where shall we go now?" Lin Jin asked for her opinion after welcoming Zhong Li into the carriage.
Zhong Li glanced back at the now empty official road and casually opened the note Lu Wuxie had given her. It read four words—Nangong Xiaodie.
"Lin Jin, let's go to the palace!"