But judged by the standards of a crown prince choosing a consort, Tan Xun was an extremely dependable ally.

The disciples, acquaintances, and fellow townsmen of the Tan family behind him could all be used for the princess’s benefit.

For a princess without any political resources of her own, the value of such a connection was like that of a poor scholar marrying a prime minister’s daughter.

During the meal, a man suddenly hurried in and whispered a few words into the waiter’s ear beside Tan Xun.

The waiter’s expression immediately turned awkward.

“…Young Master Tan, forgive me for asking—who will be paying for this meal?”

Jie Yun frowned as he reached for his money pouch.

“Our young master is from the Tan clan of Wan Commandery. Does your little inn think we’d skip out on the bill?”

“I wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare.”

The waiter gave a strained smile.

“It’s just that… someone just sent word that from today onward, our establishment will not serve anyone from the Tan family, nor can we accept payment from any of them.”

The atmosphere at the table froze instantly, and Lizhu looked over in surprise.

Tan Xun’s lips pressed into a tight line, his handsome face covered in frost.

“Who sent that message?”

“There’s a mountain spirit from Hongye Ridge, everyone on the road knows him—better meet a wolf than cross that spirit. All merchant boats entering the city must pass through the waters by Yushan. With just one word from that mountain chief, who in Xiangcheng would dare refuse him?”

The waiter glanced cautiously at Tan Xun’s expression, bowing his head in embarrassment.

Nothing could be done, this was what they called ‘a powerful dragon can’t suppress a local snake.’ No matter how high the princess’s or the Tan family’s status, once they set foot in Yiling, they still had to watch the local tyrant’s face.

Lizhu blinked in astonishment.

Pei Zhaoye?

Why would he do that?

The ever-gentle young noble suddenly rose, a storm darkening his features.

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Lizhu quickly spoke up to cut him off. “Chang Jun, you settle the bill.”

Chang Jun came to his senses and hurriedly untied his money pouch.

It was the very same pouch Pei Zhaoye had specially given her before they left this morning.

Lizhu tried to smooth things over: “Don’t be angry, it must be a misunderstanding. He isn’t usually so unreasonable. When I get back, once I return to the Pei residence, I’ll definitely…”

But Tan Xun, face dark and silent, had already strode out of the restaurant.

He didn’t believe that a mere bandit could truly dominate Yiling single-handedly.

Returning to the jewelry shop they had visited earlier to collect the ordered pieces, Tan Xun stepped inside and immediately said he was there to retrieve the set they had just chosen—only for the shopkeeper’s face to show embarrassment.

“Young Master Tan… about the matter from Yushan…”

Lizhu, following right behind him, quickly said, “It’s fine! I’ll pay myself!”

Everyone in the shop turned their heads; the other customers whispered among themselves.

Tan Xun’s expression had never looked so ugly before.

If one looked closely, there was even a faint flush on the tips of his ears.

When had a noble young master, born to comfort and wealth, ever been humiliated like this?

Xuan Ying, sensing something, turned her head—just in time to see the young bandit leader across the street watching the scene with a smiling face.

She sighed inwardly.

It was said that before, the combined forces of Yiling and Wan Commandery—ten thousand troops—had failed to take Yushan. This man was both fierce and cunning; if he could be used by the princess, what fear would there be of their great cause not succeeding?

Xuan Ying glanced toward Lizhu.

Unfortunately, their princess had no idea how to command men. She only circled around Tan Xun, repeating the same line again and again—

“There must be some misunderstanding!”

“Pei Zhaoye isn’t that malicious!”

The lady-in-waiting let out a soft sigh.

“…What’s the Chief doing here, anyway?”

Following Pei Zhaoye’s gaze, Danzhu looked across and saw the commotion inside the shop.

After watching for a while, she caught on and laughed.

“Since the Chief likes that little princess so much, why not just tie her up and take her back to the stronghold? From the looks of it, that little princess seems to like you too. Just marry her straightaway, wouldn’t that save a lot of trouble?”

Pei Zhaoye leaned lazily against the pillar and said slowly, “Because she has an emperor for a father.”

“What’s there to fear?”

Danzhu patted her chest in loyalty. “If they come charging up the mountain, I’ll be the first to fight. I’ll protect our Chief’s wife!”

Pei Zhaoye gave her a sidelong glance.

Though Lizhu often said he should read more books, he thought there were far more people in their stronghold who needed reading lessons than he did.

He changed the subject. “Why are you here?”

“Oh, since I was coming down the mountain anyway, I went to see my sister. The weather’s getting colder, and her maid told me she’s been very ill lately—needs good medicine and rest.”

Danzhu shook the small medicine pouch in her hand.

Pei Zhaoye’s eyes narrowed slightly.

•—–٠✤٠—–•

By evening, as dusk gathered, Lizhu finally received word that Pei Zhaoye had returned to the Pei residence.

“—So you do remember to come back!”

The moment he stepped through the courtyard gate, that was the first thing he heard.

Lizhu stormed up to him, fuming.

“Why did you spread such talk today? You made Tan Xun lose so much face. He was helping me as a favor, and you went and humiliated him like that—how could you?”

Pei Zhaoye looked steadily at her, dressed in a plain home gown.

Compared to her ornate attire earlier that day, this simple, unadorned look suited her natural beauty even better.

She looked very much like a wife waiting for her husband to come home.

Especially since she was still living in his childhood courtyard, showing no dislike for the humble place—it stirred both tenderness and a restless yearning in his heart.

“Have you already forgotten the lesson you were taught?”

Pei Zhaoye smiled faintly.

“Don’t say helping you with one favor—even if he knelt down to be your footstool, it’d still be what he owes. His family’s crimes are countless, and he still has the gall to linger around you.”

Lizhu’s voice softened slightly, as though she too found some truth in that, but she still said, “…That’s another matter altogether.”

Pei Zhaoye had no interest in separating matters. For him, everything was one and the same and he always added interest.

Winter was drawing near, and the courtyard was no longer a place to linger talking.

Just as Pei Zhaoye was about to go inside, a maid tasked with adding charcoal lifted the curtain and came out, meeting him at the doorway.

He vaguely remembered this maid was strict with etiquette—she had even disapproved of him touching Lizhu too much before—so his steps unconsciously paused for a moment.

“The brazier inside is ready. Your Highness, Chief Pei, please come in.”

Pei Zhaoye raised a brow in mild surprise, though his mood was pleasantly light.

These past days, Xuan Ying had already arranged for the room to be cleaned, clutter removed, and new furniture like bookshelves and dressing tables added, all mixed among his old belongings.

Pei Zhaoye swept his gaze around; something subtle brushed across his heart.

“I forgot to ask, what are you carrying in your hand?”

Lizhu turned back to glance at the food box in Pei Zhaoye’s hand.

“Pastries from Lanfang Zhai,” he said, opening the small plates one by one. “Don’t you like sweet cakes? This shop’s are quite good. I didn’t know which kind you preferred, so I bought a bit of everything—try them.”

The lamplight glowed warm and golden. Lizhu picked up a piece and placed it in her mouth.

Her brows and eyes softened, her smile bright as she looked at him.

“You remembered what I like to eat.”

“……”

“Besides sweet cakes, I also love sweet soups. You have to remember that too.”

So she really did know how to rely on his affection.

Pei Zhaoye looked at her slightly puffed cheeks, the way she seemed to be eating happily. A strange sense of calm came over him—as if he could do nothing at all, and still just keep watching her like this forever.

Having eaten his food, Lizhu found it hard to keep scolding him. Her tone softened.

“The matter with the Tan family, every debt has its debtor. Tan Xun is already doing his best to make amends. You shouldn’t take your anger out on him; it makes you look like you’re bullying the weak and fearing the strong, doesn’t it? I know you just wanted to stand up for me…”

“Not entirely.”

Pei Zhaoye had thought about it the whole day. Now, he finally spoke plainly.

“It was also to satisfy my own need to win. At the clothing shop today, I tied your belt for you on purpose to provoke Tan Xun. I even wanted him to see it.”

Lizhu’s chewing paused.

He was so straightforward about it that she didn’t even know how to respond.

“…You really dislike him, don’t you? Why?”

“Because I’m jealous. Because he can stand in the light, and I can’t.”

After saying it, Pei Zhaoye thought for a moment.

So it wasn’t actually that hard to say out loud.

Lizhu was momentarily stunned.

“Is it because I asked him to accompany me around Xiangcheng?”

Pei Zhaoye gave her a faint look.

Of course not.

But he’d said enough honest things for one day; his conscience was already satisfied. Once again, that half-serious, half-mocking smile appeared on his lips.

“What do you think?”

A wave of guilt rose in Lizhu’s chest. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“I’m sorry…”

Her body, soft as clouds, pressed close to him—her slender waist yielding, her form fitting against his perfectly, as though she melted right into his arms.

“But why can’t you stand in the light?”

Her chin rested against his chest, and when she smiled, there were still tiny crumbs of cake at the corner of her lips.

“You’re so good. I wish I could let everyone know.”