"Your Highness, I went to the Ministry of Works, but today is not an open day, and ordinary people cannot enter."

"This servant went to see Lord Murong, who then summoned an official from the Ministry of Works. That official reviewed the list you wrote."

"That gentleman said that there is no stock available, and all orders are required."

Cherry lay prostrate on the ground, trembling with fear, ignoring the blood flowing from her knees.

She didn't lie, but she didn't tell the whole truth either.

She met that person at the main gate when she went to the Ministry of Works.

There was some chaos at the time because many people came to the Ministry of Works to place orders.

As soon as Cherry got close to that person, she became a little... infatuated and couldn't control herself.

The affection came out of nowhere.

Unfortunately, Cherry doesn't understand what physiological attraction is.

Otherwise, she wouldn't be so distressed.

"This young master..."

She simply couldn't control herself.

A voice inside her told her to be brave, go up to the other person, and talk to them.

Just this once, just this once, just be brave once.

Unfortunately, one act of courage resulted in a lifetime of introversion.

Yan Jiu only heard someone calling him, turned around and looked around, but where was the person?

"Young master."

He heard a meow-like sound coming from his chin. Looking down, he saw a woman who was barely up to his chest, staring at him with watery eyes.

It looks familiar.

I can't remember.

But it doesn't matter, it's irrelevant.

"What do you want from me?"

"I..." Cherry blushed instantly, barely managing to remain composed. "Young master, may I speak with you in private?"

She instantly forgot about the things Xiao Yuanshuang had told her.

Yan Jiu frowned. "Wait a moment."

Then he turned to the people from the Ministry of Works in front of him and said, "After the items on this list are made in this quantity, have them transported to the prefectural government office by a security escort agency."

"This is the deposit."

Of the five hundred taels of silver His Majesty bestowed upon him, four hundred taels were used by him to purchase goods for the Ministry of Works.

These items, once transported to Dazhou, will benefit countless ordinary people.

The official from the Ministry of Works chuckled as he took the order. “Lord Yan is about to take up his post in Suizhou, yet he still cares about the people of Dazhou. That’s truly remarkable.”

"I will make the decision to give you the lowest possible discount, so you can buy more things."

"Don't worry, the Minister won't blame you."

"It is a blessing for the people of Daqing to have an official like you."

"Yes, yes, the Minister of Works is such a good person."

"Lord Yan, you are a good person too."

Yan Jiuzhi had never been praised like this before, and her face flushed red.

It turned out to be the prefect of Suizhou, and an official who cared so much about the people.

Cherry's feelings of love intensified.

When Yan Jiu finally had a moment to spare, Cherry quickly stepped forward, her little face as red as a peach blossom.

"My lord...I..."

"What's the matter with your hesitant words?" Yan Jiu didn't have much patience.

Luckily, this isn't Dazhou. If my wife saw me arguing with another girl in the street, she'd be kneeling on the washboard until it broke when I got home.

Thinking that Yan Jiuzhi might soon leave the capital for Suizhou, and that they would never see each other again.

Cherry steeled her heart and asked the question that had been on her mind.

"Sir, do you have a wife at home?"

As soon as she said it, her face burned with pain.

She had never been so bold in her life, nor had she ever said such shameless things, but there was nothing she could do. She was in a foreign land, and no one could help her find a matchmaker or pass on her message.

Yan Jiu took two steps back, distancing herself from Yingtao.

What do you mean?

“I already have several children, and I have no intention of taking a concubine. I can’t afford to support one.”

"Girl, you should marry someone else."

Yan Jiu remained unmoved.

Someone glanced at her from the side, and Cherry felt utterly ashamed, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Ahhh, don't cry, I didn't do anything to you."

Waaaaahh ...

Cherry couldn't stand it and covered her face as she left. The guards waiting outside the Ministry of Works didn't know what had happened and quickly followed her.

This delay meant that once Cherry calmed down, she was too ashamed to return to the Ministry of Works.

He simply went to the Ministry of Rites and used Xiao Yuanshuang's name to seek help from Murong Anle.

Therefore, Cherry's reply to her master was not exactly a lie; at most, she simply didn't give a complete account.

This was the first time she had lied to Xiao Yuanshuang.

Because of a man I can't have.

Thinking of this, I was overcome with grief, and tears streamed down my face.

The pain in my knee is nothing compared to the pain in my heart.

Seeing her crying so sadly, Xiao Yuanshuang calmed down.

"You can't even do something this simple, why are you crying?"

"Get up and go treat your wound. Don't hang around me for the next couple of days."

“Yes,” Cherry stood up, bowed her head, and left.

Xiao Yuanshuang felt that nothing was going right.

There was no progress on Li Xuanji's side.

She tried every means possible, but she didn't even get a chance to be alone with him.

No, this can't go on.

After pacing around the room a few times, she had an idea.

Since the paths taken by Li Xuanji and Murong Yue are blocked, I'll find another way.

"Someone, bring the Second Prince here."

"yes."

The Imperial Music Bureau.

Ruan Xiangruyu.

Xiao Yuanche lay slumped on the bed, holding Ru Meng in one arm and a wine cup in the other.

The attendant lowered his head even further.

Previously, when he answered questions, he would just stand outside the door. But these past few days, the Second Prince has even gotten out of bed and actually let him into the room to answer questions.

Even so, he didn't dare to look up.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!