When the food box was opened, the fragrance of osmanthus mixed with the smell of honey hit her face. Shen Weiwan picked up a piece of cake and took a bite, and asked vaguely: "Your Highness, how did you have time to come?"
Xiao Yu pulled out a piece of mulberry paper from his sleeve. It was stamped with the purple seal of the Ministry of Personnel. "Liu's case is closed. Her imperial decree has been revoked and she has been sold into slavery. As for your good cousin..." He paused deliberately, looked into Shen Weiwan's sparkling eyes and smiled, "The emperor has specially allowed her to go to Ciyun Temple to practice Buddhism and never return to the capital."
"Great!" Chen Weiwan clapped her hands, and cake crumbs fell on her skirt. "She should have been allowed to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures long ago, so she wouldn't cause trouble in Beijing!"
Xiao Yu reached out to brush away the crumbs for her, his fingertips brushing against the back of her hand with a slight coolness. "But this prince has heard that someone has come up with something new these days? Not only is he using chili powder to lock the holes, but he's also using a fake account book to fish?"
Shen Weiwan stuck out her tongue, but the tips of her ears turned red quietly: "It's all because of Liu's pressure! Who made her always thinking about the things in the warehouse?"
"Good job." Xiao Yu suddenly leaned in, the scent of cedar wrapped in a faint smell of alcohol hitting her face. "Next time you encounter something like this, remember to call me." He stared into her eyes, his tone suddenly serious. "After all, protecting you is my responsibility."
Shen Weiwan's heart skipped a beat, and just as she was about to reply, a loud "boom" suddenly came from outside. The two rushed out of the courtyard and saw thick smoke billowing from the direction of the warehouse, sparks shooting straight into the sky, and several servants stumbling as they ran with buckets of water.
"Not good!" Shen Weiwan lifted her skirt and ran to the warehouse, her heels tapping quickly on the bluestone slabs. When she got closer, she found that the newly replaced tung oil lock had been ignited by the sparks from the lantern. The flames climbed up along the crack of the door, making the door panel sizzle.
"It's all my fault! I was so focused on guarding against people that I forgot that tung oil would catch fire!" Shen Weiwan stamped her feet anxiously, watching as the flames were about to reach the door lintel.
Xiao Yu pulled her behind him, took off his coat, and threw it onto the fire. "What are you panicking about?" He shouted to the guards who had followed him, "Go and get the sandbags from the east wing, and find a few wet quilts!" The firelight reflected on his face, and the lines of his profile were as hard as if they were carved by a knife. "This prince knows a locksmith. I'll have him install a fireproof lock tomorrow."
Shen Weiwan looked at his calm demeanor and suddenly felt at ease. When the fire was put out, both of them were reduced to dusty, harlequin cats, and several holes were burned on Xiao Yu's moon-white gown.
"Thank you, Your Highness..." Shen Weiwan looked at his embarrassed appearance and couldn't help laughing.
Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow and wiped his face, his fingertips rubbing against the coal dust. "What are you laughing at? Do I look ridiculous?" He suddenly leaned close to her ear, his hot breath tickling her neck. "As an apology, how about accompanying me to the night market tonight? I heard there's a new lantern riddle shop there."
Shen Weiwan's eyes lit up, and she was about to agree when she remembered something: "But I've never been far away..."
"With this prince here, what are you afraid of?" Xiao Yu took her hand, the warmth of his palm coming through his fingertips. "Put on men's clothes, and this prince will take you to eat the most authentic candied haws."
As night fell, Shen Weiwan slipped out the back door, wrapped in Xiao Yu's dark-colored cloak. The bay horse at the entrance of the alley saw her and rubbed the back of her hand affectionately. Xiao Yu bent down and lifted her onto the horse's back. He flicked the reins, and the sound of horse hooves shattered the moonlight on the ground.
"Hold on tight." His voice came from behind her, his chest pressed against her back. "The sugar painting stall is up ahead. Do you want to buy a phoenix?"
Shen Weiwan watched the revolving lanterns swaying in the night market, the aroma of roasted lamb lingering in her nose, and suddenly felt that she had never been so happy in her life. She leaned in Xiao Yu's arms, listening to him talk about interesting things in the palace, and occasionally looking up to see the silhouette of his jawline.
At that moment, in the General's Mansion, Shen Ruorou was weeping over an empty dressing table. Only a half-broken jade hairpin remained in the box, and the coarse cloth skirt she wore rubbed her skin, making it itchy. She recalled Shen Weiwan standing in front of the storehouse, and the gentle look Xiao Yu had given her. Regret gnawed at her heart like a venomous snake, yet there was no going back.
In a teahouse at the top of the night market, Shen Weiwan bit into a candied haws and looked at the bustling crowd below. Xiao Yu waved his folding fan in front of her: "What are you thinking about?"
She turned to look at him, the moonlight falling into his eyes like broken diamonds: "I wonder who should I deal with next?"
Xiao Yu chuckled and stuffed a bunch of sugared peanuts into her hands. "No matter who it is, this prince will accompany you. But now..." He held up the rabbit lantern he had just won, "Win this lantern first!"
Shen Weiwan looked at the dancing candlelight on the lantern and suddenly realized that the meaning of rebirth was never revenge. It was to be like this moment, biting on a sweet and sour candied haws, with a close friend standing by her side, and living out those days that she had wronged herself with passion.
The victory in defending the warehouse was only the beginning of her wonderful life. As for the next chapter? Naturally, she would throw all those fish that slipped through the net into the boiling oil pan and fry them until they were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside!
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