The next morning, just after daybreak, Zheng Wanqing heard the sound of a car engine coming from outside the yard.

She opened the window, and in the dim morning mist, she could only see Zhou Lin's tall, pine-like figure standing in the center of the courtyard, carefully wiping the morning dew off the car door handle.

A maid knocked softly at the door: "Madam, Adjutant Zhou is waiting in the courtyard."

"I understand." Zheng Wanqing replied softly, her voice still lazily from just waking up.

She wrapped her silver-grey squirrel shawl tightly around her shoulders and walked slowly down the stairs. The sound of her footsteps startled Zhou Lin who was concentrating in the yard.

He suddenly turned around, took off his military cap and saluted, and a few strands of hair were still condensed with the morning dew.

"Good morning, Madam."

Zheng Wanqing nodded slightly: "Adjutant Zhou is here really early."

"The snow on the road has just melted," he leaned over slightly, "I'm afraid we'll be delayed." As he spoke, he bent over and opened the back door.

After the car door opened, Zheng Wanqing noticed the carefully arranged details of the back seat.

Her favorite jasmine tea was simmering in the stove, and the aroma of tea lingered in the carriage.

The seat was covered with a soft sheepskin blanket and there was a velvet pillow next to it.

She couldn't help but sigh inwardly that Adjutant Zhou was as meticulous as ever in his dealings with others.

Seeing her lingering gaze, Zhou Lin immediately explained, "I thought the road was bumpy..." He paused halfway through his words, his Adam's apple moved slightly, and he said in a nonchalant tone, "Madam, please get in the car. It will be safe along the way."

He deliberately avoided her gaze, but couldn't hide the slight blush on the tip of his ear.

"Adjutant Zhou, thank you for your hard work." Zheng Wanqing thanked him with a faint smile, her eyes and eyebrows were tinged with the tenderness of the morning light.

The car made a slight creaking sound as it rolled over the remaining snow that had not yet melted.

The scenery outside the car window slowly receded, and the morning light shone through the window, casting mottled light and shadows on Zhou Lin's well-defined profile.

He was extremely focused while driving, his broad hands holding the steering wheel steadily. Occasionally, he would glance at Zheng Wanqing in the rearview mirror, then quickly look away.

"How long has Adjutant Zhou been with the Young Marshal?" Zheng Wanqing asked casually, looking at the tender buds just blooming on the branches outside the window.

"Ten years and four months." Zhou Lin answered meticulously.

This number, accurate to the month, seems like a memory engraved in the bones.

Zheng Wanqing was slightly startled when she heard this and let out a low sigh: "It's been so long..." She stroked the soft fleece on her shawl and whispered: "Thank you for your hard work over the years." There was sincere concern in her words.

Zhou Lin replied in a deep voice: "It's my job." The voice was low and restrained, barely concealing the slight tremor in the last syllable.

As the car drove through the city's streets and passed by an antique bookstore, Zhou Lin suddenly remembered something and his eyes flickered in the rearview mirror.

"Oh, by the way, Madam. I have found a few rare miscellaneous notes and have wrapped them in brocade and placed them in the trunk."

As he spoke, an almost imperceptible smile unconsciously appeared on his lips. The smile was so light that it softened his brows.

"I'll give it to you when it arrives."

"Did the young marshal ask you to find it? Thank you so much for troubling you." Zheng Wanqing's voice was filled with unconcealed surprise, her almond-shaped eyes lit up slightly, and the corners of her lips rose unconsciously.

When Zhou Lin heard the word "Young Marshal", his expression suddenly froze.

He tightened his grip on Fang Qipan's hand, and his eyes darkened. But soon, he returned to his usual calm expression.

"Before, the young marshal asked me to find some miscellaneous notes to entertain you..." His voice gradually became lower, as if something was choking his throat, "I probably... also know the young lady's preferences, so when I saw them by chance..." The last few words almost dissipated in the hum of the engine.

Zheng Wanqing's heart suddenly trembled. She never expected that Zhou Lin would take the initiative to find books for her. This thoughtfulness came so suddenly and so naturally. Her thoughts could not help but drift to Zhou Lin's past silent thoughtfulness.

She always thought that these were just Zhou Lin's respect for the identity of "Young Marshal's Wife".