"If I had to say..." Si Jin said, "That doesn't count."

Sheng Linyuan's voice immediately became aggrieved: "Why?"

His sharp edge was always reserved for outsiders, never for his own aloofness.

“Because we will really grow old together.” Si Jin turned over and pinned him against the tree, interlocking their fingers.

In the same way, give your loved one a sense of security: "My Ayuan has me, that's enough. He doesn't want to rely on Xue."

Sheng Linyuan's heart started racing, because at this moment, he realized with absolute clarity that the "A Yuan" Si Jin spoke of was himself, and could only be himself.

My doubts vanished, as if a huge stone that had been hanging over me for a long time had been lifted to the ground, leaving me feeling relaxed and joyful.

He reached out and wrapped his arms around Si Jin's waist, about to kiss her, but she beat him to it by sticking out her index finger and pressing it against his lips.

"Shh—" Si Jin moved closer to him, her smile both alluring and mischievous.

"There's a patrol of guards ahead, don't get spotted!"

Upon hearing that outsiders had arrived, Sheng Linyuan's eyes lit up instantly, and he replied, "Okay."

But when the guards approached, he turned around and picked up Jinjin, kissing her without saying a word.

The boy didn't react for a moment, and hurriedly hooked his arms around his neck, letting out a muffled groan like a cat.

Along with the snowflakes on the trees, another layer fell.

Upon hearing the commotion, the commander of the guards turned his head instantly, staring warily at the plum tree that Si Jin was leaning against.

After a brief pause, they approached step by step.

The steel boots attached to the armor pounded on the snow with every step, making one's heart beat faster.

Seeing that the guard was still five steps away, Sheng Linyuan finally released Si Jin.

She leaned close to his ear and warned him harshly, "What should we do, Jinjin? He's coming over, I'm so scared~"

Seeing that Si Jin did not move, she reached out and tugged at his sleeve, pleading in a low voice, "Husband, save me."

Finally, Si Jin reluctantly opened her mouth: "Meow~"

The captain of the guards stopped in his tracks, listening to his companion behind him remind him: "It seems to be the Empress Dowager's cat; it always likes to come here to play."

"Let's hurry up, we still have other places to visit, otherwise we'll be late."

The commander of the guards wanted to continue forward, but as soon as he took a step, he saw Sheng Linyuan's official boots that he had "accidentally" revealed.

The Grand Secretary's official boots are decorated with eagle patterns, representing soaring through the sky and supreme power.

Upon seeing this, the commander turned and left.

Sheng Linyuan continued to kiss the person in his arms with great joy.

Jinjin had finally managed to learn to act like a cat, and he wouldn't allow anyone to disturb him.

The two embraced and lingered in the plum grove for a while before returning to the carriage together.

Sheng Linyuan asked, "Going home?"

Si Jin shook his head: "Today is the fifteenth, we need to go to Manjiang Tower first to find a woman."

Manjianglou? Looking for a woman?

Sheng Linyuan couldn't help but recall the memorials he had once burned.

It clearly states: "On the first and fifteenth of every month, Mu Sijin would go to Manjianglou to find a courtesan, bring her some snacks and money, and chat for a while."

Her jealousy flared up again at the worst possible time: "Oh, then I'll go with you so as not to bother you?"

"I won't bother you." Si Jin teased him, "It's nice for the three of us to chat together."

Sheng Linyuan felt even more aggrieved. He let out a "woof" and said defiantly, "Then I'll go bite her to death!"

“That was the wife of a… deceased friend of mine,” Si Jin said. “Their family was raided, the men were exiled, and the women were forced into prostitution, never to be redeemed. So I visited them twice a month to help take care of them.”

"Oh." Sheng Linyuan nodded, holding Jinjin tightly and refusing to let go: "That's more like it."

The two continued on their way, but unexpectedly, as soon as they stepped into the gate of Manjianglou, they saw Mo Qi drunkenly huddled in a corner, clinging to Sheng Yu and refusing to let go.

"Young Master Yue, you must believe me, I will definitely redeem you. Please don't go with that rich merchant QAQ"