Zhao Shu trusted Wei Tingsi, but she really didn't know how to get close to him. It was like not speaking for a long time; her language skills would gradually deteriorate until she could no longer communicate with others.

That's how she is now. In her previous life in Dayong, she had no close friends or a husband who loved her deeply. In modern times, she only has Ajiu. Sun Yun is like Ajiu, and she really can't find anyone else to take Wei Tingsi as her.

Or rather, it's inappropriate to treat someone as someone else; it's more like a feeling of being out of place. After being a lone wolf for a long time, it's inevitable that one won't want to develop deep relationships with others.

However, she had just been saved by Wei Tingsi, and now she needed his help again. It was just a matter of addressing him, and she felt awkward about being so pretentious. Just as Wei Tingsi was about to give her a way out in disappointment...

She gritted her teeth and said, "Brother Wei." She still couldn't bring herself to call him "Brother Chang'an" in a childish way. Calling Zhao Yi "Crown Prince Brother" was a habit she had developed since childhood, and it would be inappropriate to change it.

Wei Tingsi looked at her in surprise, only to see her turn her head away shyly and look out the window. The window was open, and a cold wind was blowing in. She pulled her cloak tighter around herself, and the lights were off, so he couldn't see her face. Wei Tingsi thought she must be shy.

However, he was inexperienced in guessing a woman's thoughts and guessed wrong. Zhao Shu was not shy, but was thinking that if Sun Yunru sided with the other party, she would have to find a friend to be a friend.

However, he didn't know he was wrong. In fact, sometimes, the relationships between people are not that complicated. Wei Tingsi was indifferent to Zhao Shu at first, then gradually became curious, and finally his curiosity turned into appreciation.

He couldn't tell if there was anything else behind this appreciation, but that day Wang Jiyang said, "How exactly did this girl come up with these things?"

He immediately said, "Don't even think about it." Perhaps it was simply a desire to protect a member of the imperial family who understood politics, or perhaps there was more to it than that. She was just too young, and every time he saw her still so small and growing so slowly, he felt very anxious.

He would worry if she had a bad reputation, and he would also worry if she had a good reputation. He would worry if she didn't grow up for a long time, and he would worry if she grew a little taller.

Sometimes, it's just a friend's joking glance or ambiguous words that can cause many thoughts in your mind to take countless turns and become unrecognizable.

"Shushu." Although it was different from what he had expected, at least it wasn't Lord Wei anymore. Wei Tingsi was so happy that he forgot that Zhao Shu hadn't agreed to him calling her that.

Zhao Shu stared at the ceiling. She actually refused to hear those two words. When Ajiu called her that, she refused; and now she still refused. Shushu, Uncle…

With a pained expression, he forced a couple of dry laughs. "Shouldn't we go to Jiahan Palace now? If we don't go soon, it'll be dawn."

Wei Tingsi was delighted. Was this a tacit agreement? He wanted to confirm, but seeing Zhao Shu's indifferent expression, he was afraid of being rejected again. However, he had already made up his mind to just assume that Zhao Shu had agreed.

"Alright." He reached out and pulled the person out of the embroidered building. With a few leaps, they arrived at Jiahan Palace, the main hall that was still brightly lit.

Moving aside a glazed tile, Zhao Shu lay on it and looked down. Inside the main hall, Sun Yunduan sat there with an aloof expression, as if Hao Shumei opposite him was nothing more than an ant, not worthy of even a glance from her.

In contrast, Hao Shumei lay pale and weak on the chaise longue, with Huamei gently massaging her legs. She was clearly only fifteen or sixteen years old, but she acted as if she were old and listless, without any vitality. That would have been bad enough, but she kept conveying extremely pessimistic thoughts.

“Miss Sun, you’ve stayed here for so long. After you go back, will Zhao Shu still treat you the same as before? Her suspicion is far greater than yours or mine. I’m afraid it will only be a facade of harmony. Why don’t you go all the way? As long as you agree to what I just said, not only will you get what you want, but your mother will also be able to hold her head high, won’t she?”

Sun Yun gave a mocking smile and ignored him.

Hao Shumei was not discouraged. She closed her eyes as if she were asleep, and after a long while, she continued, "Everyone is out for themselves. Miss Sun, think it over carefully."

Sun Yun remained silent. One could imagine that the situation was extremely unfavorable for her. The more she spoke, the more flaws she would reveal. Silence was the wisest course of action.

Zhao Shu slowly stood up, and Wei Tingsi helped her up. "Let's go." She sighed. Hao Shumei was right. She was suspicious, which was why she had Wei Tingsi bring her here. Even if she had come, there was nothing she could have done.

Wei Tingsi didn't ask any questions. He simply wrapped Zhao Shu in his cloak as usual and took her back to the embroidered pavilion of Jinlan Palace.

Back in the embroidered chamber, Zhao Shu asked in a low voice, "When are you leaving?"

Wei Tingsi was inexplicably disappointed. He turned his head away to hide the disappointment in his eyes and said, "I'll be leaving soon."

“If you’re not in a hurry to leave, I’ll make you dumplings later. By the way, do you prefer dumplings or rice cakes?” Back in modern times, A-Jiu would go to the South every year for the Lunar New Year. In her words, rice cakes only tasted good in the South.

Wei Tingsi looked at her and asked in confusion, "Why do you ask that?"

Zhao Shu suddenly realized, "That's right. Wei Tingsi was born and raised in the capital. Although he studied outside the capital during those years, he was always in the capital. As the leader of the Shadow Division, Qin Ji could not have left the capital. Therefore, Wei Tingsi must have always lived in the capital."

However, she chuckled lightly, "I heard that you, elder brother, were studying away from home until you were sixteen, so I asked you this question. It just so happens that Father brought a lot of cooks from abroad, who can cook both southern and northern dishes."

"I'm fine with either, I'm not picky," he said dryly. After thinking for a moment, he added, "I want both."

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