Zhong Li knew that it was better to have a short pain than a long one. She was decisive in love and hate, disliking any lingering attachments.
She had known Lan Heng's feelings for her before, but as he never spoke of it, she found it difficult to refuse. Now that Lu Wuxie was present, she intended to clarify matters. She despised the idea of having one's cake and eating it too.
"Your heart is taken?" Lan Heng asked, looking at Lu Wuxie opposite him.
Zhong Li understood his meaning and nodded in confirmation.
Lan Heng chuckled softly, his gaze lingering on Lu Wuxie for a long time before returning to Zhong Li. "Are you blaming me for arriving late?"
Zhong Li expected Lan Heng, with his usual personality, to understand. She was surprised that at this crucial juncture, his characteristic earnestness was on full display. He had clearly interpreted the situation differently from others.
"No..."
"Li'er," Lan Heng interrupted her, "if it were me who came to find you yesterday, would you have chosen me?"
Zhong Li frowned, finding Lan Heng's words difficult to comprehend.
She and Lu Wuxie had already faced life and death together. No matter who had come to find her this time, she would not have fallen for Lan Heng.
"I..."
"It's alright. You are not yet married, so there is still a possibility. Li'er, my teachers never taught me to give up easily, and I will not do so now." Lan Heng finished speaking and looked deeply at Lu Wuxie. "Young Master, I hope your path ahead will be smooth."
With that, Lan Heng turned and walked towards the deck.
Zhong Li sighed, watching his retreating figure, unsure of what to do. After all, Lan Heng was her superior, and they would see each other every day.
"Li'er," Lu Wuxie walked to her side. At this moment, his face held no trace of the defiance he had shown when looking at Lan Heng. His eyes on Zhong Li were filled with tenderness and affection. "I apologize for putting you in a difficult position."
Zhong Li shook her head. This was her matter; what fault did Lu Wuxie have?
"However, I won't feel guilty about it!"
Lu Wuxie's subsequent words made Zhong Li's lips twitch. She knew this man always had something more to say.
"Li'er!" Lu Wuxie took Zhong Li's hand. As she was lost in thought, a coolness spread along her wrist.
Zhong Li lowered her eyes, looking at her delicate wrist. Unbeknownst to her, a bracelet had appeared. She recognized it; it belonged to the Liang family. Lu Wuxie had retrieved it after the case in Yongcheng concluded.
"This... why didn't you return it to your grandmother..."
"I went to my grandmother's nunnery to return this bracelet. Do you know what she said?" Lu Wuxie asked.
Zhong Li shook her head.
"She said this bracelet was originally meant for my mother, but since my mother is no longer in this world, she didn't intend to keep these external possessions. She asked me to give it to my future wife." Lu Wuxie's voice grew hoarse and low as he spoke, carrying a subtle allure.
Zhong Li's cheeks flushed, and she found herself momentarily speechless.
Lu Wuxie smiled and held her tighter. "If you don't refuse, consider it acceptance of my feelings. This Young Master will not allow you to regret it."
Zhong Li lowered her gaze to the bracelet. Her sight inadvertently swept over the inner side of the bracelet. If she remembered correctly, when Qi Shuishui had the incident, the inside of the bracelet was smooth. Now, she seemed to see two characters.
"There are words here," she said, bringing the bracelet closer. They were the characters "Mo Cang."
"You..." Zhong Li looked up in surprise, her eyes meeting the man's gentle gaze.
"Qi Shuishui had worn this bracelet, and I was worried it might not be entirely pure. When I went to see my grandmother, I had someone purify it for me and also engrave my personal mark inside. Do you like it?" Lu Wuxie whispered, his tone as soft as the spring breeze in March, gentle and warm.
Zhong Li was naturally a reserved person. Now, being confessed to so openly by such a shameless man, she could only bury her face in his embrace out of shyness, even though... Lu Wuxie was still shirtless.
Inside the cabin, affections flowed. Outside the cabin, there was a solitary figure.
However, neither of them noticed a small, delicate figure standing outside Zhong Li's room. She gazed at the lonely figure on the deck, her eyes filled with concern and worry.
Two days later, early morning.
"Minister Zhong, please be careful on your journey. Although it is spring, the weather is still a bit cold, especially in Jincheng. You must wear more clothes."
Zhong Li sat inside the carriage, looking at Ren Wenshu, who was fussing over her with concern. She nodded. "Alright."
"Wait."
Just as Zhong Li was about to lower the curtain, Ren Wenshu quickly stopped her.
Zhong Li looked at him with uncomprehending eyes.
"Also, this is candied duck I bought for you from the street. Take it with you to eat on the road." Ren Wenshu handed the prepared candied duck to Zhong Li.
"Thank you." Zhong Li took it, gave Ren Wenshu a faint smile, and prepared to pull the curtain down.
"Wait!"
"Young Master Ren!" Ren Wenshu, following the carriage, wanted to say something more to Zhong Li. Lu Wuxie, seated in the carriage ahead, furrowed his brow and interrupted him. "Are you done yet?"
Ren Wenshu's face turned red, and he lowered his eyes, not daring to say more.
"Go back," Zhong Li gave Lu Wuxie a playful glare and said to Ren Wenshu, "There are so many people on this journey, don't worry!"
Ren Wenshu nodded and stood still, watching the carriage as it slowly lowered its curtain, his eyes slightly red.
Inside the carriage.
Hua Yao sat opposite Zhong Li, having observed everything that had just transpired.
"Li'er, does the young master of the Ren family like you?" she asked while playing with Zhong Wuyou in her arms.
Zhong Li placed the candied duck on the table and split it in half, giving one half to Lin Jin and placing the other on the small table in the carriage. She tore off a duck leg and handed it to Hua Yao. "I don't know."
"You don't know?" Hua Yao lifted the curtain and glanced outside, then turned to Zhong Li. "He's so eager, and you don't know?"
Zhong Li looked at Hua Yao, her mouth smudged with oil. "I only know that the person I love also loves me. As for anything else, I haven't paid attention to it."
Hua Yao paused, gazing at the woman opposite her who was diligently eating the candied duck. Her seemingly simple words conveyed a clear meaning. She hesitated for a moment and asked, "Then, what about Lord Lan..."
"Lan Heng is my immediate superior. We did know each other before, and that's all there is to it," Zhong Li quickly finished Hua Yao's sentence, casually pouring her a cup of clear tea. "This duck is a bit greasy; have some clear tea."
Hua Yao said no more, picking up the spoon from the table to feed the baby in her arms.
Meanwhile, in another carriage.
Lan Heng and Lu Wuxie sat upright, staring intently at the half-duck on the table, as if fearing the other would be quicker to snatch it all.
After a long while, Lu Wuxie grew tired. He leaned back on the carriage couch and lazily pulled a piece of clothing to cover himself. "Forget it, this Young Master is not hungry. Given how pitiful you look, you can have the duck."
"Who looks pitiful?" Lan Heng narrowed his eyes, sitting straighter.
Lu Wuxie rested his chin on his hand and turned to look at him. "Isn't it you? Could it be me?"
Lan Heng's thin lips parted, but he could not muster a retort to Lu Wuxie. After a long pause, he took a deep breath, tore off a duck foot, and put it in his mouth. "Don't celebrate too soon. As long as Li'er is not married, she could change her mind at any time."
"Lan Heng," Lu Wuxie sat up and took a duck neck, putting it in his mouth. "You knew Li'er before I did, and you know her personality. Moreover, this Young Master will not give you that opportunity."
Lan Heng pursed his lips and turned to look out the window, choosing to ignore him.
Lu Wuxie looked at the man opposite him, who was acting like a child, and felt a sense of amusement. He had lived two lifetimes and was a seasoned individual. What could this young upstart possibly compete with him?
They finished the duck in silence. After a while, Lu Wuxie poured a cup of clear wine and placed it in front of Lan Heng. "Speaking of which, why the rush to return to Jincheng? You know, Zuo Teng was escorted hastily with us. Many people are watching him, and we are likely to be in danger."
Lan Heng sighed and lifted the curtain, looking at the prisoner cart following behind. "Something has happened in Jincheng. The matriarch of the Anping Marquis's mansion has died. The Emperor is anxious for me and Zhong Li to return."