Even though Shen Suifeng repeatedly explained, Old Li still looked as if the sky had fallen. In the end, he just mumbled something about going to gather wild vegetables and hurried off.
Shen Suifeng watched him leave with a helpless expression, then turned to see Feng Lezhen cradling the bag of flour in her arms, smiling sweetly at him.
“Why didn’t you help me explain?” Shen Suifeng crossed his arms and asked.
Feng Lezhen said, “The innocent have nothing to fear.”
“…Does Your Highness really think the conversation we just had could be called innocent?” Shen Suifeng asked.
Feng Lezhen lifted her gaze. “Does Mr. Shen think it wasn’t?”
Shen Suifeng: “…”
“It’s just your own mind that isn’t pure,” Feng Lezhen chuckled softly.
Shen Suifeng’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he was about to speak when the sounds of people talking and walking suddenly came from outside the courtyard. As soon as the first voice sounded, more and more people gathered, and the noise outside grew livelier.
Hearing the commotion, Feng Lezhen calmly extended her hand toward him. “Help me up.”
“What for?” Shen Suifeng asked.
“To go see,” Feng Lezhen replied.
“Your leg hasn’t healed yet, stop running around,” Shen Suifeng said, but he still went over and helped her up.
With Shen Suifeng by her side, she didn’t even need a cane. Feng Lezhen accepted his assistance without hesitation and walked slowly out to find that a crowd had already gathered on the open ground not far away, excitedly chatting around several carts.
“What’s on those carts?” Feng Lezhen asked.
“How would I know?” Shen Suifeng replied with a smile.
“They only appeared after you came back—how could you not know?” Feng Lezhen countered.
“Tsk, nothing escapes Your Highness, does it?” Shen Suifeng clicked his tongue.
Feng Lezhen glanced at him, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw a teenage boy climb onto one of the carts, signaling for everyone to quiet down. The boy looked about sixteen or seventeen, thin and tanned. Though not particularly handsome, his bright, star-like eyes were quite captivating.
“There’s rice, flour, cooking oil, and some herbs on the carts,” Shen Suifeng suddenly said.
Feng Lezhen came back to herself. “…Hmm?”
“Didn’t Your Highness just ask what’s on the carts?” Shen Suifeng asked calmly.
“Didn’t you say you didn’t know?” Feng Lezhen narrowed her eyes.
Shen Suifeng laughed lightly. “They only appeared after I came back—how could I not know?”
Seeing that he was using her own words against her, Feng Lezhen immediately decided to ignore him.
The boy on the cart finally quieted the crowd. When he looked up and saw Shen Suifeng at Old Li’s doorway, his face lit up and he was about to call out to him, but Shen Suifeng quickly waved his hand, signaling him not to.
The boy had to clear his throat and instead explained to the gathered crowd what was on the carts.
As soon as people heard that the sacks were full of grain, the crowd erupted.
“Where did you get the money to buy all this? You didn’t steal it, did you?”
“Our village has always been honest folks—you can’t go doing bad things!”
“Hurry up and return this to wherever it came from! Don’t keep this stuff in our village!”
In a small village, most people shared the same surname, and everyone was basically relatives if you traced back three generations. Now, all talking at once, they scolded the boy until his face turned red with frustration. “This was bought for us by Mr. Shen—it’s not stolen!”
The moment those words came out, the place instantly fell silent.
The boy quickly explained, “Mr. Shen went to the town’s big market at dawn and bought all the grain he could find. I’m just here helping to divide it… And these herbs, too, were bought by Mr. Shen. He knew that even if we got diagnosed, we wouldn’t have money for medicine, so he bought them all for us.”
“Turns out you went out early this morning just to buy things for them,” Feng Lezhen spoke slowly.
Shen Suifeng turned his head at her words and saw that she was still staring at the young man.
“What else?” he replied. “Surely it wasn’t to satisfy Your Highness’s appetite that I made a special trip to town, was it?”
“Where did you get the silver?” Feng Lezhen looked at him.
Shen Suifeng replied, “Sold the jade clasp on my belt. It was originally meant to cover the old man’s lodging and meals, but he wouldn’t accept it, so I had no choice but to buy him some things instead.”
Feng Lezhen gave a small laugh and turned to walk back inside.
“Not going to keep watching the show?” Shen Suifeng raised an eyebrow at her slowly retreating figure.
Feng Lezhen said, “If I keep watching, I’ll end up being part of the show myself.”
Shen Suifeng paused, just about to ask what she meant, when suddenly he heard the young man shouting, “If you don’t believe me, just ask Mr. Shen! He’s right over there!”
Shen Suifeng: “…”
By the time he finished dealing with the grateful villagers, Feng Lezhen had already gone back to the side room for a nap. The cloth bag she had previously cradled in her hands now sat forlornly on the worn little table in the courtyard.
It was too bright in the room, and Feng Lezhen was terribly sleepy. After some thought, she could only use Chen Jinan’s outer robe to cover her eyes and managed to doze off for a bit.
She woke up half an hour later, sat in a daze for a while, and then thought again of the young man who had stood on the cart. After some deliberation, she dressed and headed out, only to open the door and run right into Shen Suifeng coming her way.
“Your Highness, it’s time to change the dressing,” Shen Suifeng said.
Feng Lezhen remembered the sting of the first treatment and instinctively frowned.
“This time it won’t hurt,” Shen Suifeng seemed to read her thoughts.
Feng Lezhen gave him a sideways glance. “The most untrustworthy phrase in the world is a doctor saying ‘it won’t hurt.'”
“It really won’t hurt,” Shen Suifeng insisted.
Feng Lezhen stared at him for a moment, but in the end, turned and went back into the room. Shen Suifeng smiled and followed, closing the door behind him before heading to the bedside. As he looked up, he happened to see her garment slipping off her shoulder.
The pale curve of her shoulder flashed into view, glaringly bright—he immediately turned around, not looking again.
Feng Lezhen glanced at his resolutely turned back, adjusted her clothes, and then called him over.
After a couple of days of rest, the wound had already formed a red-yellow scab, making the surrounding skin look even more delicate and pale. It didn’t really hurt this time, so Feng Lezhen simply relaxed her body, lying back on the bed and letting him do as he pleased.
Shen Suifeng looked up at her briefly, then focused on tending her wound.
The room was quiet, the only sound was the rustling of bandages. Feng Lezhen stared at the ceiling beams, her mind finally blank for once.
“Earlier, the old man had someone bring a message—he’s going to his daughter’s for lunch and wanted us to join. I figured Your Highness wouldn’t want to go, so I declined on your behalf. That means it’s just the two of us at noon today,” Shen Suifeng suddenly broke the silence.
Feng Lezhen returned to herself. “So?”
“What would Your Highness like to eat?” Shen Suifeng asked.
“Anything is fine,” Feng Lezhen said.
“Wild vegetables?” Shen Suifeng was still sitting at the bedside.
Feng Lezhen looked down and met his gaze for a moment, then abruptly stepped on his chest with her foot after lowering her skirt. “You bought grain for them, but you’re going to serve me wild vegetables?”
Shen Suifeng didn’t mind at all, simply grasping her ankle. “You said anything was fine.”
“Then you can try it,” Feng Lezhen narrowed her eyes.
She had the bearing of someone in power, but somehow Shen Suifeng couldn’t help but think of a hissing, clawing cat.
“If Your Highness doesn’t want wild vegetables, then I’ll make a bowl of noodles,” Shen Suifeng gently placed her foot back onto the bed.
Feng Lezhen gave him a sidelong glance. “You know how to make them?”
“I can cook noodles,” Shen Suifeng replied.
“No need. Leave the noodles for the old man. We can eat something simple,” Feng Lezhen said.
“Your Highness isn’t craving anything anymore?” Shen Suifeng was surprised.
Feng Lezhen looked at him speechlessly. “When have I ever craved anything?”
And yet who was it chasing someone around yesterday begging for rice and flour? Shen Suifeng gave a small laugh and wisely didn’t bring it up. “The old man has other grains and oil, already stored in the kitchen. No need to skimp on your end, Your Highness.”
Upon hearing that, Feng Lezhen said, “Before cooking the noodles, you have to make them from flour first. Can you do that?”
“I can’t, but I can ask someone else for help,” Shen Suifeng smiled. “Hard to refuse a man who’s already fed you, don’t you think?”
“Shameless,” Feng Lezhen commented.
Shen Suifeng just chuckled and went out. With only Feng Lezhen left in the room, she stayed still for a while, then rose and followed him out.
When he said he’d get help, Shen Suifeng really did walk into a random house with a bag of flour. As soon as he entered, he saw several older women chatting in the courtyard. He paused, intending to leave.
“Mr. Shen!” Auntie Li, who had spoken with Feng Lezhen before, greeted him with delight. “What brings you here?”
“Oh, Mr. Shen! We haven’t properly thanked you! You’re truly a great benefactor to our village!”
“Come in, come in! I’ll get you some water.”
The women pulled and pushed him until he had no choice but to enter the house. Shen Suifeng gave in with a smile, “I actually came to ask you ladies for a little favor.”
“Just say the word, Mr. Shen. If we can help, we will!”
Shen Suifeng chuckled. “It’s really nothing serious. It’s just that my… that young, fussy stepmother of mine insists on having noodles for lunch. I don’t know how to knead dough, so I was hoping you all could help.”
“Kneading dough? That’s easy! Leave it to us.”
With that, one woman brought out a large basin for kneading, another took the flour from Shen Suifeng’s hands, and a third pushed him onto a small stool to sit.
“Wow, these noodles are really fine!” one of the women exclaimed as she received the dough.
Shen Suifeng had originally intended to wait until the noodles were rolled before coming over, but now he had no choice but to sit down.
“How old are you this year, Mr. Shen?” a woman asked.
Aunt Li quickly chimed in, “He’s twenty-two, a year older than Ah Tao.”
“Ah Tao?” Shen Suifeng looked up.
Aunt Li laughed, “Your stepmother! You don’t know her name?”
“I really didn’t know when she got that name,” Shen Suifeng said with a smile. “But ‘Tao Tao’—full of joy and innocence.”
“Oh, I think she mentioned that phrase too. What does it mean? I don’t understand it at all!” Aunt Li asked curiously.
Shen Suifeng smiled, “It’s just a line from a poem.”
Before he could elaborate further, someone else asked, “Mr. Shen, you’re already twenty-two. Are you married?”
“Not yet,” Shen Suifeng replied.
This answer drew a wave of surprise from the women, all remarking that in their village, men had two kids by that age. How could he not be married yet?
Shen Suifeng sighed faintly, “My family’s situation is… unique. What good family would want to marry their daughter into it?”
The women paused, then quickly expressed sympathy.
“Your father, honestly—at his age, still getting himself married into someone else’s family? City girls are particular. When they see a father-in-law like that, it’s no wonder they’re not willing to marry in,” Aunt Li said, then perked up. “But our village girls don’t care about that kind of thing. You’re kind and capable, Mr. Shen. If you’re willing—”
“Are the noodles ready?” Shen Suifeng quickly interrupted.
Aunt Li snapped out of it. “Not yet. Still early.”
Shen Suifeng: “…”
By the time he carried out a tray of noodles from the courtyard, it had been nearly half an hour. Standing on the quiet village path, Shen Suifeng let out a long breath.
Midday had passed. He wondered if the esteemed Eldest Princess had grown impatient waiting. Quickening his pace, he rounded a corner—and suddenly stopped.
Not far away, a young boy blushed furiously, unable to lift his head. The Eldest Princess, who should have been at home waiting for noodles, stood smiling at him. Whatever she had said to the boy made him shyly nod his head, and when he met her smiling gaze, his face flushed even redder.
“Shall we go now then?” Feng Lezhen asked with a smile.
The boy nodded, face still crimson, and began to walk forward. Feng Lezhen was about to follow, her lips curving up, when she caught sight of Shen Suifeng at the corner of her eye.
Shen Suifeng walked over with a perfectly calm expression. “Mother, where are you going?”
Feng Lezhen: “…”
The boy froze, then went redder. He stammered, “I—I’ll head back now. Miss Tao…”
Wait no, she was Mr. Shen’s stepmother—calling her “Miss Tao” didn’t seem appropriate.
He swallowed nervously and looked helplessly at Feng Lezhen. Guessing his dilemma, she narrowed her eyes in warning.
“…Just come find me anytime,” the boy mumbled, unable to bring himself to say anything like “auntie,” and fled.
Feng Lezhen’s mouth twitched as she silently watched him run off.
“What did Your Highness want with him?” Shen Suifeng asked.
“Why aren’t you calling me ‘mother’ now?” she retorted.
“There’s no one else around. Why bother?” Shen Suifeng replied.
Feng Lezhen couldn’t be bothered to answer and turned to walk home.
Carrying the tray of noodles, Shen Suifeng followed. “Your Highness still hasn’t said what you wanted from him.”
“What business is it of yours?” Feng Lezhen shot back.
Looking completely innocent, Shen Suifeng said, “We’re in this together now. Whatever Your Highness is planning, I ought to be informed.”
Feng Lezhen paused, giving him a thoughtful look. “You want to know?”
“I do,” Shen Suifeng answered, matching her gaze without flinching.
Feng Lezhen: “Not telling you.”
Shen Suifeng: “…”
Lunch was made by Shen Suifeng—boiled two ladles of water, threw in the noodles, added some salt after they were cooked, and called it a meal.
“Tastes awful,” Feng Lezhen commented.
Shen Suifeng: “Oh.”
After lunch, Shen Suifeng began sorting the herbs he had bought at dawn. Feng Lezhen, having had enough sleep in the morning and not feeling drowsy, dragged a stool to lean against the wall, basking in the sun while watching him chop the herbs.
The sunlight was just right—warm and cozy. Shen Suifeng soon broke into a sweat. He casually threw off his outer robe and picked up a rusty cleaver of unknown origin, chopping a bundle of dried herbs with practiced ease. Watching his deft movements, Feng Lezhen was suddenly reminded of the first time she saw him at Qing Wang’s estate.
Back then, he had been sitting in the courtyard, dressed in white, fanning a brazier with a woven fan while sitting on a small stool. Now he was still in white, still in the courtyard—but the fan had been replaced by a rusty cleaver, and the decocting had become chopping. And yet the air about him was the same—like a moon deity swinging a hoe: contradictory, yet oddly charming.
When Shen Suifeng finished chopping one full bag of herbs and turned around, he saw Feng Lezhen resting her chin in her hand, gazing at him with serious interest.
“What are you looking at?” he asked, casually wiping sweat from his face.
Feng Lezhen curved her lips. “Looking at Mister Shen’s waist.”
His hand stopped mid-motion.
“Nice waist,” she complimented.
Shen Suifeng: “…”
Recognizing those were his own words used to praise the assassin with bells on his waist earlier, he realized she was deliberately mocking him. He picked up the cleaver and handed it to her. “If Your Highness is bored, why not try it yourself?”
Feng Lezhen glanced at the rusty blade. “No.”
“Give it a go, it’s not hard.” Shen Suifeng turned the cleaver around, offering her the handle.
Feng Lezhen leaned back as he approached, stretching out a single finger to push away the handle disdainfully. “I know it’s not hard. I just don’t want to.”
“That’s true, someone as noble and precious as Your Highness shouldn’t be doing such things,” Shen Suifeng said with a faint smile.
Feng Lezhen glanced at him. “Reverse psychology doesn’t work on me. Since you’re a doctor, you must be well-read. Then surely you know the saying: ‘The son of a noble family does not sit beneath a collapsing roof’?”
Shen Suifeng raised an eyebrow. “So Your Highness is afraid of messing up and losing face?”
Feng Lezhen acted as if she didn’t hear him.
Seeing her ignore him, Shen Suifeng paused, then picked up a piece of dry herb stalk from the ground. “Your Highness.”
“What are you—” As Feng Lezhen looked up, the herb stalk gently flicked her forehead before bouncing off.
“Seems the courtyard is quite dangerous too. Not quite befitting of Your Highness’ noble status. Perhaps it’s better if you return to your room and rest?” Shen Suifeng asked pleasantly.
Feng Lezhen fell silent for a moment, then held out her hand.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I suddenly feel like helping Dr. Shen chop herbs. Give me the machete,” she said.
Shen Suifeng studied her, then smiled. “Your Highness takes me for a three-year-old?”
“Hand it over. I promise not to chop you,” Feng Lezhen said sweetly, supporting herself against the wall as she slowly approached him.
Shen Suifeng began to step back, eyes gleaming with laughter. “I was wrong, Your Highness. I shouldn’t have provoked you. I apologize—please, sit and rest.”
“Give it here. I genuinely want to help you,” Feng Lezhen’s voice grew softer and softer—yet she silently raised her cane.
Shen Suifeng almost tripped on a pile of herbs while retreating, staggered a few steps before regaining balance, and when he looked up again, she was nearly upon him. He quickly stepped aside and tried to reason with her as he dodged: “Your Highness, stop fooling around, your wound might reopen.”
“Were you worried about the wound reopening when you provoked me?” Feng Lezhen narrowed her eyes.
Shen Suifeng laughed even more freely. “I didn’t expect Your Highness to be this…”
Before he could finish, Feng Lezhen suddenly stopped in her tracks, her brow furrowed so tightly it could crush a mosquito.
“Did it really reopen?” Shen Suifeng’s smile vanished. He rushed forward to support her.
Feng Lezhen seized the chance to grab his collar, looking smug. “Why aren’t you dodging now?”
Realizing he’d been tricked, Shen Suifeng gave her a helpless look. “Your Highness…”
“You dare lay a hand on me—you really must be tired of living,” she said coldly and reached for the machete in his hand. Shen Suifeng, afraid of hurting her, could only raise it high above his head.
He thought she’d give up—but the proud Eldest Princess seemed not to understand the meaning of giving up. When he lifted the machete high, she simply stepped on his foot to reach for it. His shoe, previously only dusty, was now a mess. Shen Suifeng didn’t mind; one hand stayed raised, the other securely held her waist to prevent her from falling.
Just as their tussle was getting lively, Auntie Li suddenly burst into the courtyard, beaming: “Mr. Shen! I’ve found a particularly nice young lady who’s interested in you. If you’re willing—”
The sentence cut off abruptly.
The two, looking as if they were embracing, turned their heads in sync and saw Auntie Li standing there in shock, mouth wide open enough to fit a whole egg.
Feng Lezhen calmly stepped back from Shen Suifeng as though nothing had happened… if only there weren’t visible footprints left on his shoes.
“Auntie, it’s all a misunderstanding,” Shen Suifeng explained—for the second time that day, completely unbothered.
Auntie Li suddenly clamped her mouth shut, swallowed hard, and nodded. “No worries. I understand everything.”
Shen Suifeng: “…What do you understand?”
“I won’t tell a soul. As for the girl… I’ll go turn her down now,” Auntie Li said, already turning to leave. “Poor thing. I knew it didn’t make sense—why would a pretty young girl choose a man her father’s age over a handsome lad her own age? Turns out it was under pressure. Poor girl…”
Feng Lezhen: “…”
Even long after Auntie Li had left, the little courtyard remained silent.
After a while, Shen Suifeng broke the silence: “She seems to think we ran away together.”
“Going to explain?” Feng Lezhen asked.
Shen Suifeng chuckled. “We’ll be leaving tomorrow or the day after. What’s there to explain?”
“If you don’t, that particularly nice girl will slip through your fingers,” she reminded him.
His gaze shifted slightly as he looked down at her fair, glowing face.
After a moment, he said teasingly, “Are there really girls in this world more beautiful than a stepmother?”
“Didn’t expect my ‘son’ to rate me so highly,” Feng Lezhen smiled.
Shen Suifeng replied, “Just being filial.”
Feng Lezhen: “…”
Neither of them were the type to hold grudges. After Auntie Li’s visit, the earlier incident was forgotten. Shen Suifeng continued chopping herbs, while Feng Lezhen went back to basking in the sun. By the time he finished, her face was rosy from the sun, her hair loosely tied with a cloth ribbon, and she sat lazily on a stool—she looked surprisingly relaxed and rustic, like someone from the countryside.
Once the herbs were chopped, Shen Suifeng began bagging them. Feng Lezhen, bored from watching the repetitive work, remembered she still had unfinished business. She stood up with her cane.
“Going to the latrine?” Though he wasn’t looking at her, Shen Suifeng immediately stood and wiped his hands to follow.
“No, just go back to what you were doing,” Feng Lezhen said, stopping him.
In other words, don’t follow her.
Shen Suifeng paused. “Where are you going?”
“Got something to do,” she answered vaguely, not bothering to explain.
His eyes flickered slightly—and before he even realized it, he’d stepped in front of her to block the way.
Facing her confused expression, he responded, “You’re still injured. You shouldn’t walk too much.”
“Don’t plan to go far,” Feng Lezhen answered.
“It would be best if you didn’t walk around at all,” Shen Suifeng replied, then added, “Whatever it is you want to do, I can do it for you.”
Feng Lezhen frowned slightly. “Then summon Cheng Sheng for me.”
“Who’s Cheng Sheng?” Shen Suifeng asked, then quickly realized, “The one who was talking to you earlier?”
“And the one helping distribute rice and flour for you. How do you order people around without even knowing their names?” Feng Lezhen mocked.
Shen Suifeng smiled. “I can’t compare to Your Highness—just a few words exchanged and you’re already calling him by name.”
“What else would I call him if not by name?” Feng Lezhen asked, perplexed. “Enough nonsense. Go and get him for me.”
Shen Suifeng didn’t move.
Feng Lezhen paused, finally giving him a proper look. “What does Mr. Shen think I called him here for?”
“What could Your Highness possibly want to do?” Shen Suifeng countered.
Feng Lezhen looked at him for a long while before suddenly smiling. “There are many things one could do.”
The smile on Shen Suifeng’s lips faded slightly.
Seeing that he clearly wasn’t going to go call anyone, Feng Lezhen simply picked up her cane and walked off on her own. But she hadn’t gone more than two steps before the cane was suddenly pulled back. Caught off guard, she nearly fell, only managing to steady herself with his help.
“Shen Suifeng, that’s enough.” Her eyes grew cold.
Since leaving the capital, she had become like a pitiful girl who didn’t even know how to wash her own clothes. But the moment she turned cold, all her aura and authority returned. Even dressed in ill-fitting clothes, with her hair simply tied back, she still carried the unmistakable dignity of an Eldest Princess—elegant, composed, and not to be questioned.
Shen Suifeng looked at her for a moment, then let go with a shrug, almost indifferently. “I didn’t mean to interfere, but given that we’re posing as stepmother and stepson, if Your Highness acts too freely, I’m afraid it might invite gossip.”
“You’re afraid of gossip?” Feng Lezhen laughed.
Shen Suifeng smiled faintly. “Your Highness is right.”
Feng Lezhen raised an eyebrow and continued walking with her cane.
This time, Shen Suifeng didn’t stop her—he simply watched her leave, his expression calm.
It was midday, and smoke was rising from every household’s chimney. The aroma of boiling millet drifted through the village, sweet and comforting—much better than the taste of wild vegetables.
Feng Lezhen didn’t know exactly where Cheng Sheng’s house was, but thankfully, due to Shen Suifeng’s presence, the villagers were exceptionally warm toward her. Upon hearing that she wanted to find Cheng Sheng, not only did they point the way, but insisted on personally guiding her there.
By the time she arrived, Cheng Sheng’s family was having lunch. Seeing her, they quickly came to greet her.
“Why are you here at this hour? Have you eaten the noodles yet?” Cheng Sheng’s mother asked warmly. She had helped make the noodles earlier.
Feng Lezhen smiled. “I’ve already eaten.”
“Ah, noodles made from refined flour—must’ve tasted heavenly! Miss Ah Tao, you’re really blessed to eat such good food. We’re all so envious,” the woman sighed.
Feng Lezhen paused. “Didn’t Shen Suifeng deliver rice and flour to every household?”
“He gave us bean flour and brown rice. Miss A-Tao, you might not know, but five pounds of bean flour can only be exchanged for one pound of refined flour. The only small bag of refined flour—he bought it especially for you,” Cheng Sheng’s mother said cheerfully.
Feng Lezhen raised her eyebrows slightly.
Cheng Sheng quickly explained, “For us, the more grain the better, so Dr. Shen gave us the more economical bean flour and brown rice. That way, with the same amount of money, we can get more food.”
With his explanation, Cheng Sheng’s mother realized her earlier words might have caused a misunderstanding. She quickly added, “Yes, yes, Dr. Shen is such a kind soul—we’re all incredibly grateful. The bean flour and brown rice are delicious too! I cooked a pot today, ah, the smell was amazing!”
Feng Lezhen couldn’t help but smile and shook her head, then turned to look at Cheng Sheng.
He immediately began to stammer. “A-A…”
After hearing Shen Suifeng call her “Mother” earlier, he just couldn’t get the words “Ah nTao” out.
“Just call me Ah Tao,” Feng Lezhen decided for him.
Cheng Sheng let out a sigh of relief. “Miss Ah Tao, please come with me.”
Feng Lezhen nodded and exchanged a few more words with Cheng Sheng’s mother before following him.
The sun was shifting west. Although it wasn’t close to setting yet, the air had noticeably cooled.
After Shen Suifeng finished organizing the herbs, he sat quietly in the courtyard alone. When he finally heard footsteps at the gate, he looked up.
It was a completely unfamiliar young girl. She had come only to inform him that Old Li had been insisted upon by his daughter to stay for a few more days. Still worried about them, he had sent her to invite them over as well.
Shen Suifeng declined politely with a smile. Once she left, the smile faded. The courtyard was quiet—too quiet for just one person. He sat for a while in silence, then turned to glance at the neatly arranged herbs.
As the sky grew darker, Feng Lezhen finally left Cheng Sheng’s house. Just as she stepped out of the door, she ran into Shen Suifeng in the yard.
“Why are you here?” she asked.
He raised the medicine packet in his hand. “To deliver medicine.”
As soon as he finished, Cheng Sheng’s mother walked out. Seeing him, she quickly came forward. “Oh my, Dr. Shen! Why are you here all of a sudden? Are you here to pick up Miss Ah Tao?”
Shen Suifeng glanced at Feng Lezhen and smiled. “No, I’m here to bring you medicine.”
Feng Lezhen raised her eyebrows.
“Oh, this… I don’t even know what to say! Thank you so much, Dr. Shen.” Cheng Sheng’s mother took the medicine, clearly flustered.
Shen Suifeng said, “This packet can be boiled three times—it’s enough for one day. Take it on time. Once you finish it, your headaches should be gone.”
Cheng Sheng’s mother thanked him repeatedly while Feng Lezhen leaned on her cane and slowly walked out.
“You bathed?” Shen Suifeng suddenly asked. Even with a few steps between them, he could still smell the faint scent of soap on her.
Before Feng Lezhen could answer, he said with displeasure, “You have a wound on your leg. You shouldn’t be getting it wet.”
Feng Lezhen gave him a sidelong glance and ignored him.
“She didn’t get it wet, didn’t get it wet, just washed her hair,” Cheng Sheng’s mother chimed in cheerfully.
Shen Suifeng paused. “Just washing her hair… that’s fine.”
“Ah Tao girl’s hair is so well cared for—black and shiny like satin. I’ve never seen such beautiful hair,” Cheng Sheng’s mother continued to marvel.
Feng Lezhen nodded. “Thank you for helping me wash it, and thanks to Cheng Sheng for making the trip.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Suifeng glanced at her thoughtfully.
“Ah Tao girl, no need to be so polite. If it weren’t for you and Mr. Shen, we’d still be eating wild greens!” Cheng Sheng’s mother said with a laugh.
The countryside was already quiet; at night, it was quieter still—only the sound of wind remained. The sky had only just turned dark, and not a soul was on the road.
After bidding farewell to Cheng Sheng’s mother, the two of them walked slowly down the road. The sound of footsteps and the tapping of her cane created a kind of peaceful liveliness in the silence.
“Where did Your Highness send Cheng Sheng?” Shen Suifeng asked.
Feng Lezhen replied, “To the county office in town, to deliver a letter for me.”
“When did Your Highness write a letter?” Shen Suifeng grew more curious.
Feng Lezhen shot him a glance. “At Cheng Sheng’s home. He had ink, brush, and paper.”
For villagers struggling just to get by, items like paper and ink—common in noble households—were rare. It was only because Cheng Sheng spoke and acted like someone educated that she had asked and received confirmation. Then she went to his home to write the letter and asked him to send it.
“So Your Highness went to Cheng Sheng’s place just to borrow pen and paper?” Shen Suifeng asked.
Feng Lezhen stopped walking and looked at him calmly. Seeing this, Shen Suifeng also stopped.
“In your eyes, am I just some shallow woman who can’t walk straight when she sees a man?” Feng Lezhen asked coolly.
Shen Suifeng chuckled. “Of course not. It’s just… the way you looked at Cheng Sheng made it hard not to misunderstand.”
Upon hearing this, Feng Lezhen clicked her tongue and suddenly beckoned him with her finger. “Come here.”
Shen Suifeng, puzzled, stepped forward.
“Lower,” she said, dissatisfied with his stiff posture.
Not knowing what she meant, he bent down.
Their faces abruptly drew close—so close he could feel her breath. Shen Suifeng realized he’d bent too far and was about to move back when he heard her say, “Look into my eyes.”
He followed her gesture and looked up into her eyes.
Bright and full of expression, carrying both nobility and strength—like stars scattered in the silent sea at night. Beautiful, yes, but dangerous too. Yet when her pupils reflected only you, that beauty and danger didn’t seem to matter anymore.
Shen Suifeng stared for a long time. His Adam’s apple suddenly bobbed.
“See now?” Feng Lezhen’s voice was low. Then she abruptly stepped back, a lazy smile lifting her lips. “Eyes this good—even if they looked at a dog, they’d seem full of affection. If that’s enough for you to misunderstand, then you’re truly an idiot.”
Shen Suifeng: “…”
“I’ve finished explaining. Isn’t it your turn now?” Feng Lezhen didn’t wait for him to react before speaking again.
Shen Suifeng raised an eyebrow. “My turn for what?”
“An explanation,” Feng Lezhen smiled sweetly. “Those medicine packets the villagers were supposed to collect tomorrow—why did you go out tonight and deliver them yourself?”
In the moonlight, her clear eyes seemed to have already seen through everything.
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