"Miao'er, it seems that Madam Zhang has taken a liking to you."

No sooner had Madam Zhang left the Wang family than Wang Xueru and the others approached Sun Miao'er and teased her.

Sun Miao'er was taken aback, wondering what was going on, and said, "Xue Ru, don't talk nonsense. How could I possibly be worthy of the magistrate's wife's approval?"

"Hey." Wang Xueru disagreed, and said with a mischievous smile, "I think she's arranging a wife for her son!"

"Whom should we find a wife for?"

The sudden male voice from behind sent a chill down Sun Miao'er's spine.

Turning around abruptly, Sun Miao'er saw that her master's face was extremely ugly, as if she had been stabbed by Wang Xueru's words.

Sun Miao'er quickly retorted, "Master, don't listen to Miss Xue Ru's nonsense. Madam Zhang was just being polite to me!"

"Miss Wang, may I ask how old Magistrate Zhang's son is this year? Is he married? Would you like our Miao'er to be his wife or his concubine?"

Fu Yuchi ignored her explanation, and a smell of jealousy wafted in, making Sun Miao'er's nose sting.

Wang Xueru had no idea that was going on. She simply thought that Fu Yuchi genuinely cared about Sun Miao'er and said frankly, "When I last saw her, she was only this tall."

As she spoke, she placed her hand on her chest and added, "I'm three or four years older than Ziqian, so I think she looks a bit young. But as the saying goes, 'A woman three years older is like a gold brick, a woman five years older is like an old mother, and a woman six years older is always eating meat!' Being a little older isn't a bad thing!"

Sun Miao'er was speechless. Although she didn't understand why a young lady from the prestigious Wang family could speak so fluently about these common sayings, she knew that her master certainly wouldn't like to hear them.

This forced pairing is a bit too casual.

"Very good!"

Fu Yuchi stared at Sun Miao'er with a forced smile, and squeezed out a few words, "It seems Miao'er also thinks it's good, she was very polite to that lady just now!"

Sun Miao'er dared not meet his gaze, and hurriedly winked at Wang Xueru, "Master, I really didn't mean that. Madam Zhang and her family are wealthy. They wouldn't be interested in a country girl like me!"

However, Wang Xueru seemed unable to read her eyes and replied, "I heard that Madam Zhang is a few years older than Lord Zhang, but they seem to get along quite well today."

"It's getting late, Xue Ru, you should go back and rest early. We'll be getting up early tomorrow to set the date. If we're late, don't blame me for not reminding you."

Sun Miao'er hoped to end the topic there, so she quickly found an excuse to send Wang Xueru away.

If she keeps talking like that, the master will be so annoyed with himself that he'll die.

"Master, I'm going back to rest too."

As soon as Sun Miao'er finished speaking, she turned around, but he still called her back.

"Walk with your teacher for a while."

He spoke softly, his voice filled with tenderness that was irresistible.

Sun Miao'er followed behind him, went around the artificial hill, and entered the garden.

Fu Yuchi walked very slowly today, as if he wanted to prolong time indefinitely and stay in this moment forever.

Suddenly, he stopped, turned around, buried half his face in the moonlight, and murmured, "Miao'er, didn't you want to know about me?"

She remained silent, wanting to hear him continue; he was finally willing to be honest with her.

"I'll tell you."

His voice was slightly hoarse, perhaps because he was choking up, but Sun Miao'er wasn't sure.

Why is the master crying?

She couldn't see the expression on her master's face because it was too dark and he was so tall. She was afraid that her tilting her head back would be too deliberate and he would notice.

"Where shall I begin?" He paused for a moment, then continued, "My father was the emperor's strategist. Throughout his life, he devised strategies for the emperor to govern the four seas and stabilize the eight directions. Not only my father, but the Fu family has been like that for generations. The eldest son of each generation is cultivated to become the emperor's most trusted confidant."

Actually, Sun Miao'er already understood at this point: her master was the surviving member of the Fu family, whom the group in Xianweilou had mentioned as having been wiped out.

He simply chose to remain silent until now, for some reason, rather than admit it that day. He still placed his trust in me.

"But I am not the eldest son. In terms of both literature and martial arts, my elder brother is far superior to me. My mother said that this is for the best, so that at least one of her two sons can live a carefree life."

As Fu Yuchi spoke, his voice became warm, “Being an advisor to an emperor is too bitter. He has to bear the emperor’s anger, joy, suspicion, and even resentment.”

"My father was thus pushed into the abyss, and the entire Fu family was buried with him. No matter how loyal the Fu family may appear, a disloyal emperor will never trust us again."

“I ran away to a great distance and hid in the mountains. They even asked me to change my name, but I couldn’t do it. I felt that my surname was the only way I could remember them and the only connection I had left with them.”

She suddenly understood what that blood-covered boy had gone through more than ten years ago.

Sun Miao'er stood there without saying a word, feeling that anything she said would be superfluous. She admitted that she could not truly empathize with such pain.

He came carrying the shackles of hatred. When he met her, she was young and radiant, like the warm spring sun illuminating his gloomy life—as he watched her frail body and insignificant strength support and protect everything she cared about.

It reminded him of himself back then, when he couldn't do anything.

“Master, at least things are better now.” Sun Miao’er realized that her words of comfort seemed pale and powerless. How could she possibly put herself in his shoes and think from his perspective?

It's never truly painful until the knife falls on you.

Fu Yuchi turned to the side, and the moonlight illuminated his face clearly. Sun Miao'er saw him closely and realized that he was actually smiling.

He said, "Yes, things are better now. If I had met you sooner, I might not have suffered for so many years."

"Miao'er, I will definitely take you to the capital when I have the chance. It's so prosperous there, and it's perfect for you."

He was willing to be a star that set off the sun, because he knew he was not suited to be the sun.

"Alright, Master, once I've made a name for myself, I'll open the biggest shop in the capital and treat you to the best restaurant there!"

Sun Miao'er replied.

Fu Yuchi chuckled, "No, even the best restaurants in the capital can't compare to your cooking."

Sun Miao'er felt that he was making fun of her. Even if her skills were truly excellent, they were still far inferior to those of a real chef.

"I'll go to the capital and open a restaurant, so that all those other shops will have to bow down and be subservient to me."

After Sun Miao'er finished speaking, the moon in the sky was obscured by thick clouds, and the expression on his face became completely unreadable.

Fu Yuchi suddenly felt that spending time with her like this was actually quite nice.