But the secret guards are different. Who knows, these secret guards might risk their lives to cause trouble, so it's better to just deal with them.

As for the fiefdoms, it's actually even simpler. If it's an army, then incorporate it into the national army. If there's resistance, then they're considered rebels, and at most, troops will be sent to suppress them.

Even a prince wouldn't have a large army in his fiefdom.

Although the Empress Dowager's expression was not good, she couldn't say anything more. The man was dead, and there was no point in saying anything more.

"I'm not upset about this. I heard that the people from Quegu are coming tomorrow. Kyoto will finally be lively." It's not the kind of liveliness that came with the recent deaths, so it's a good thing, I suppose.

Qin Su really didn't know the exact time; she hadn't expected it to come tomorrow. Well, that's good. Her mother had always wanted to know about those seeds; perhaps they really could increase grain production?

In the evening, Qin Su returned to the Prince's residence, but Yu Shuo had not yet returned. She didn't ask any further questions, only hearing that Emperor Mingyang had kept him behind.

She had just changed into soft clothes, planning to rest with Yuanyuan today, when there was a knock on the door.

“Your Highness, Xieyang has returned and asked you to go to the study to fetch a bamboo scroll called ‘The History of Da’an’ for him.”

Qin Su: ? ?

Can't the setting sun go by itself?

The setting sun must have passed through the study, right?

"Never mind, it's not a big deal." Qin Su put on her cloak, intending to go and return quickly.

In just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, it had gotten dark outside. She entered Yu Shuo's study. The books and old bamboo slips in the study were all neatly arranged. However, she had never liked reading, so she didn't really know where they were.

Qin Su rummaged through the box, and a small box that she had just removed from the top of the shelf fell down. She bent down to look at it, only to find it empty. She frowned.

Something fell out?

She had no choice but to lie on the floor by the candlelight to look, and sure enough, there was something under the bookshelf, which looked like some kind of ornament.

Did Yu Shuo also have ornaments?

Qin Su felt something was strange. She reached out and took it out, looking at it against the candlelight.

It was a feather ornament, black feathers, their luster somewhat dulled, with a few scales inlaid at the lower end, also lacking shine. Hanging below were several small pebbles, colorful and full of childlike charm.

Qin Su couldn't describe the feeling in her heart. She put the ornament in the box, then went to find the "Compilation of History of Da'an" and handed it to Xiyang after finding it.

Seeing that Xieyang was about to leave, Qin Su suddenly called him back.

"Wait."

The setting sun obediently stopped, and those dark, deep eyes looked over.

Qin Su took out the ornament and said to Xie Yang, "Have you seen this before?"

The setting sun did not answer immediately.

"Where did Yu Shuo get this?"

The setting sun felt a chill run down his spine, and he dared not speak.

He knew quite a lot, but that didn't mean he dared to speak up.

"Unwilling to talk? Afraid to talk?"

Xie Yang forced a smile and said, "Your Highness, it would be better to ask the master. I will go and deliver the things."

After saying that, he slipped away, incredibly fast.

Lian Tao stared at the ornament and asked, "What is this? Did another woman give it to you?"

That's the only way my daughter would be so angry, right?

Qin Su put it back. "I'm not sure. But... this is mine."

"As for how it ended up in Yu Shuo's hands, I'm not quite sure."

The materials for this ornament were found by her through a source she had previously encountered, along with a boy whose memory of hers had almost faded. She made it herself. Being young at the time, the finished product wasn't very refined.

But she did give it away as a gift.

Qin Su didn't know how she got back to her room. Holding Yuanyuan, she was wide awake.

Yu Shuo returned in the early hours of the morning. He first took off his cloak and waited until he was warm before going into the room.

"You're back?" Qin Su asked.

Yu Shuo paused, then stepped forward. "Why aren't you resting yet?"

Qin Su gently patted Yuan Yuan's back, her voice indifferent, "Can't sleep."

Perhaps sensing that Qin Su's tone was off, he came over, picked up Yuanyuan, and placed her on the small bed next to him, taking his place in the previous spot.

He reached out to hug Qin Su, thinking it must be because he came back late and didn't spend enough time with her.

Even though his princess was an independent person, she was still a young woman and inevitably had her moments of temper. He could understand and was tolerant of her.

Qin Su placed one hand against his chest to prevent him from getting closer.

"I know I was wrong. I'll definitely come home earlier next time." He admitted his mistake very quickly, and with his handsome face, anyone would soften his heart.

Qin Su handed the box she was holding to him. "I found it in the study. You don't mind me looking at your things, do you?"

Yu Shuo knew what was inside, after all, he had put it in himself.

He hasn't opened it since he got together with Qin Su.

"Perhaps I should say that you don't mind me looking at my own things?"

"SuSu," he called out, a little nervously.

He took the box and then set it aside.

"Tell me, who gave you this?" Even now, Qin Su had no doubt that the person in front of her was the boy whose memory had almost faded.

That memory is from so long ago.

She could hardly remember what the boy looked like; the only thing she remembered was that he always wore a mask and didn't talk much when they met.

But he genuinely cares about the people around him.

"It was given to me by Susu."

Yu Shuo could no longer deceive Qin Su, even though it would require many, many lies to cover up the matter, but he dared not.

He couldn't imagine whether he could remain calm and argue with her, or even say that he was with her, when all the lies were exposed.

It was obvious that Qin Su was taken aback by these words.

"I gave it to you?"

Qin Su recalled the boy from her memory. The boy wore clothes made of fine fabric, but he was mysterious and not in good health.

"I'll ask you one more time, when was the first time we met?"

Yu Shuo took a deep breath and, without saying a word, pulled Qin Su into his arms, holding her tightly. His voice was low and hoarse, and trembling slightly. "Eight years ago."

Qin Su was about eight and a half years old at that time, which is pretty much correct.

She remembered that when she was nine years old, her friend left without a word, and she waited for her for a long time.

That's really early.

He didn't seem to be lying in this matter either. Every time I asked him before, although he didn't give a direct answer, it wasn't lying.

She took a deep breath. "So why did you leave without saying goodbye?"

When she was eight or nine years old, she didn't actually have romantic feelings for Yu Shuo; she just felt that he had ruined a good friend's life. And she certainly wasn't a bad friend to him.

He left without saying goodbye, and I was furious. I said that even if he came back, I would never be friends with him again.

Who knew that when the boy returned, she would no longer recognize him?