***

Wen Hao, having risen from humble beginnings as a poor scholar, didn't make things too difficult for his household staff. He merely penalized them by deducting some of their salaries before turning back to his study.

"You think the master hasn't forgotten yet?" The one who spoke was the maid standing next to Feng Liu, who was also his lover.

She had just caught a glimpse of the painting in Wen Hao's hand and immediately recognized the person in the painting as their deceased young lady. After nudging Feng Liu, she asked meaningfully.

Feng Liu guessed it in an instant, but simply shook his head and said:

"How could that be? The three-year period has passed. At your age, how could you possibly stay alone in an empty room forever? Our household will definitely have another mistress in the future."

He did hope that Wen Hao would always remember their young lady, but reality is extremely cruel, making a man wait for a woman for a lifetime.

That's impossible.

"For so many years, the master has been all alone. If the young lady were still alive, she probably wouldn't be able to bear seeing him live like a walking corpse."

He spoke with emotion, then thought of Yan Menghuai, whom he had found at the mansion today, and his hand tightened slightly.

He wondered if it was just his imagination, but he felt that Miss Yan was becoming more and more like their deceased young lady.

When he saw her today, he was momentarily dazed.

"Stop overthinking. We need to get back to work. Be careful in the future, and don't fall into Yan Menghuai's trap again. I don't want her to be our mistress. Just thinking about it makes me uncomfortable."

Feng Liu sighed helplessly upon hearing his lover's words.

These are things that servants like them can't decide. If the master is determined to marry her, they can only accept it.

Yan Li, who had followed and heard these words very clearly: ...

Actually, she's quite heartless.

They even wanted Wen Hao to suffer even more.

For example, he lost his official position and all his money, unlike now, when he rose step by step and became the current crown prince's lecturer.

As for being all alone?

Only a fool would believe such sincerity.

If he weren't afraid of ruining his reputation, he probably would have already brought his sweetheart to his residence.