The autumn wind rises, and the setting sun shines obliquely.

Lu Shenyun's voice, like his personality, was cold and aloof, with a hint of condescending interrogation.

His words clearly contained warm words like "concern," but because of his long-standing indifference, it seemed as if he was rejecting this warmth.

He misunderstood. Shen Qingchen regretted it a little. She had forgotten that Lu Shenyun was a military general, different from a scholar like her. He was probably used to being straightforward and didn't need so many polite words.

Just like when he threatened me with a knife, it was either save him or we all die together—very straightforward.

Feeling there was no need to explain further on this matter, Qingchen lowered his head and said, "I have disturbed your rest, sir. Please forgive me."

The setting sun cast its light on her back, outlining a slender and straight figure, with the hair at her temples shimmering with a faint golden glow.

Lu Shenyun blinked, turned his head to the other side, and found an angle where he could look at her without being blinded.

That day at the clinic, this man was dressed in coarse cloth, looking like a gentle and pure farmer's son, untouched by the dust of the world. Now, having changed into ordinary robes, he has become serene and elegant, exuding a rich talent that I myself do not possess.

A scholar who passed the imperial examinations twice, ranked first in the second class, became a probationary official in the Hanlin Academy, and was destined to become prime minister... If this person were to actually enter the cabinet and become prime minister in the future, who knows what he would look like in his prime minister's robes.

What kind of person do you think I am?

The quiet space was suddenly filled with this sound. Shen Qingchen was startled and looked up at him. He saw that the man's handsome face, which was tanned to a wheat color from years of martial arts practice, had a pair of eyes staring straight at him.

Seeing that she didn't speak, he asked again, "Why are you not speaking? Is it hard to answer?" His words were clear and calm.

Scenes of their time together flashed through Qingchen's mind: his face covered in blood and sweat, his ruthless threats, the trembling as he bit down on the cloth strip, his unwavering resolve in the face of pain. She also recalled what Huang Yu and he had just told her: ruthless, unreasonable, bad-tempered, ungrateful... She felt that the commander in front of her had too many facets, each one a part of him, yet each one seemed to be different from him. She couldn't tell them apart.

Faced with his indifferent yet persistent waiting gaze, Qingchen took a breath and looked at him, "Does Your Excellency really want to hear this?"

Seeing that she seemed to already know the answer, Lu Shenyun narrowed his eyes slightly. Even he himself couldn't give a clear answer to this question, yet this person before him had one so quickly?

What exactly is the answer?

"explain."

"To me, sir... you are merely a stranger I met by chance." Across the golden sunset, she looked directly at him, her voice calm and gentle, neither humble nor arrogant.

Qingchen continued, "I have only met you once before, just like duckweed drifting on the water, only meeting by chance. As duckweed, we do not know which direction we will drift in the future, nor what will happen. So in the few past lives and the vast unknown future, you are still just a stranger to me."

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment.

Lu Shenyun's question was actually difficult to answer. He knew perfectly well what he had done, yet he still insisted on asking. Only he himself knew the reason. Qingchen didn't want to say anything insincere to flatter him, nor could she directly express her incomprehension of his ingratitude. After thinking for a while, she chose this answer.

Upon hearing this, Lu Shenyun remained in the same position, staring at Shen Qingchen, without saying a word for a long while.

Her answer was brilliant, maintaining just the right distance. If she had gone further and offered a more serious assessment of him, it would have felt offensive; if she had stepped back and offered flattery, it would have seemed insincere. The phrase "meeting by chance"... it was neither too close nor too distant, stating the facts without being offensive or perfunctory, humble yet polite—just right.

Lu Shenyun's mood was somewhat complicated at this moment. It was a kind of complicated feeling of not hearing the answer he didn't want to hear, and not hearing the answer he wanted to hear either. There was a sticky feeling that he couldn't quite describe.

The woman before him was beyond his expectations. Beyond her appearance and demeanor, he saw something else in her.

"I have answered your question, sir. May I see Mingxiang?"

Taking a deep breath and then exhaling, Lu Shenyun looked past Qingchen and shouted loudly towards the door, "Huang Yu, go and bring that girl over here."

A moment later, Deputy Commander Huang Yu peeked out from behind Qing Chen, peeking through the door, and said with a grin, "You've found out again... I'll go right now."

A moment later, accompanied by the sound of footsteps crossing the door, Huang Yu's voice rang out again, "The girl that Lord Iron-Blooded Lu wanted has arrived."

Shen Qingchen turned around and saw that Ming Xiang was still wearing the same light green floral dress they had worn when they parted. Her face was slightly pale, and there were some red lines in her eyes. Her listless expression instantly turned into surprise and grievance upon seeing Qingchen.

She rushed towards her, unable to contain her excitement, and grabbed her arm. "Brother Qingchen, you're here! I've been wondering since last night if you would come, if you would come... You've finally come! Are you here to take me away?"

Seeing her slightly haggard appearance, Qingchen felt a pang of sadness and patted her hand twice to comfort her, saying, "I'm sorry. I'll take you home."

As she spoke, she glanced at Lu Shenyun, as if seeking his opinion. Although Teacher Song had intervened, he hadn't yet given his mind. Lu Shenyun was also looking at her, his expression indifferent, revealing no emotion.

Mingxiang had spent a nerve-wracking night, and her heart was still pounding. Her eyes were even a little red. "Brother Qingchen, this is the Northern Courtyard. I thought I would die here and never see you again..."

"No, you won't die." Qingchen gently patted her back.

Seeing the two being so intimate, Lu Shenyun finally frowned, clasped his hands together, and asked, "How do you know she won't die?"

Qingchen turned to look at him, "Because she and you, Lord, are just strangers who met by chance."

"Your Excellency is the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, in charge of tens of thousands of imperial guards. You are protecting the Emperor and the Ming Dynasty, and those who stand against you are treacherous officials and villains. How could Your Excellency casually swing the Embroidered Spring Blade at a floating duckweed?"

After he finished speaking, Lu Shenyun remained silent. Huang Yu couldn't help but click his tongue twice.

After a long pause, a deep voice finally rang out, “Huang Yu, take them away. Tell Grand Secretary Song that I am injured and cannot treat him with the proper courtesy. He is a busy man and need not come to see me. I will seek his help when I need it in the future.”

After saying that, he lowered his head, propped his head up with his arm, just as Shen Qingchen had seen him when he first entered the room.

"Alright! You can rest now." Huang Yu replied, then waved to Shen Qingchen, "You two come out with me."

Before leaving, Shen Qingchen bowed to Lu Shenyun and thanked him, but Lu Shenyun neither looked up nor responded.

When the group arrived in the courtyard, they happened to run into Song Yue, who had just finished speaking with Lord Jiang.

Huang Yu then said to Lu Shenyun as instructed, “Your Excellency, Miss Mingxiang is here. Lord Lu has instructed that Your Excellency may take her back. Also, Lord Lu’s injuries have not yet fully healed, and he may not be able to receive Your Excellency. Please forgive him.”

Upon seeing Qingchen and Mingxiang, Song Yue stopped in his tracks, already knowing the situation. He said, "Then please convey my regards to Lord Lu, Lord Huang. I will not go in to visit him. Also, please tell Lord Lu, Lord Huang, that if he wishes to get his favor back, he can come to me anytime."

"Yes, yes," Huang Yu replied, thinking to himself, "They are clearly two extremely intelligent people. They understand many things without being told, so why bother having him relay any messages?"

Dipping salted fish in soy sauce is unnecessary!

After exiting the gates of the Zhenfu Division, Qingchen bowed to Song Yue and said, "Thank you, teacher."

Song Yue glanced at him and said, "You must have been very polite to Lu Shenyun, so don't be so formal with me."

Lu Shenyun kidnapped Ming Xiang because he was curious about Qing Chen. Now that he was alone with her, they must have talked about something. Although Song Yue was curious, she didn't ask.

Not long after, the three went their separate ways. Song Yue returned to the cabinet, Ming Xiang went home first, and Shen Qingchen returned to the Hanlin Academy.

When Shen Qingchen returned to the Hanlin Academy, the officials had already finished their court session.

The lecture hall was unusually quiet, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, with wisps of dust floating in the air. Several desks were empty, except for one table where someone sat—Xu Silin. He was looking down, seemingly engrossed in something.

As she passed by him, she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and noticed that he was still reading the same book, *Cai Gen Tan*. He happened to look up from his book and glance at her as well.

Qingchen quickly withdrew his gaze and walked back to his seat to pack up his books.

Soon, Xu Silin got up and walked towards her with something in his hand.

She sighed softly, looking at him standing in front of her as before, and asked, "What do you want to ask now?"

He wasn't genuinely seeking advice before she left, and he probably isn't now either. She felt somewhat tired today and only hoped that if he wanted to play tricks on her, he would do it at another time.

He placed a piece of paper on her desk, looking directly at her. "This is today's homework. Submit it tomorrow."

Qingchen was slightly taken aback. "Thank you."

"Where did you and Teacher Song go today?"