Late spring was warm without being stifling. After days of tension, Shen Wan finally relaxed, sinking into a deep, satisfying sleep and not waking until dinnertime. Liu Mu had left at some point without her noticing, and lamps had already been lit in the room. Shen Wan lifted the thin blanket draped over her and sat up from the chaise.
"When did Miss Liu leave?" Shen Wan paused for a moment before remembering what had happened before she fell asleep.
Zhichu handed her a damp cloth. Hearing the question, she glanced at the sky. "She left nearly an hour ago. Miss Liu said she'll come again tomorrow."
The cloth was cool from the evening breeze. Shen Wan pressed it briefly to her eyes, then wiped her hands, feeling much more awake. She stood up and had Zhichu put the chaise away, then lightly tapped her own head.
She had dreamed a long dream—of Liu Mu confessing her feelings to Lu Zhan, of the two of them happily together. Shen Wan even remembered Liu Mu praising him before her wedding, saying how handsome he was, how good his character was… She had been overjoyed in the dream. Only upon waking and seeing the moonlit shadows of branches overhead did she realize it had all been an illusion.
A faint sense of regret surfaced in her heart, and it showed on her face.
Zhichu, having finished putting the chaise away, looked up just in time to see Shen Wan's less‑than‑cheerful expression. She asked with concern, "Did you not sleep well? Have dinner first, then sleep again. Otherwise you'll be hungry in the middle of the night."
As soon as she finished speaking, Mu Su entered carrying a food box. Afraid Shen Wan might act spoiled and refuse to eat like before, Zhichu immediately opened it and said with exaggerated delight, "There's crab roe pastry—your favorite!"
One glance was enough for Shen Wan to see through Zhichu's thoughts. She shook her head, half amused, half helpless. "It's not that I didn't sleep well. I dreamed about a girl being with the one she loves. When I woke up and realized it was only a dream, I felt a little regretful."
Mu Su abruptly looked up, her eyes unusually bright in the lamplight.
Zhichu reacted much the same, eyes widening in disbelief.
Shen Wan was telling the truth, but she had misjudged how these young maids would interpret it. Both Mu Su and Zhichu assumed she had someone she admired but was too shy to admit it aloud.
Thinking of how Shen Wan had recently praised Lu Zhan in front of Liu Mu at every opportunity, Zhichu felt she had figured it out. She comforted her gently, "Miss, there's no need to worry. If it's fate, you'll naturally end up together."
Leaving aside the fact that both the master and the young master supported Prince Yong, just the fact that Miss had once saved Prince Yong at Huguo Temple was proof enough of how deep that karmic bond ran. No wonder—no wonder Miss had specifically instructed them earlier to make things clear in front of Hebai, saying she admired Prince Yong. So it was true—she had truly fallen for him.
Zhichu felt she had grasped the key point and suddenly felt enlightened.
Shen Wan didn't notice her change at all, but Zhichu's words did comfort her. She softly repeated, "You're right… those with fate will naturally be together."
Mu Su's ears twitched slightly. She lowered her head again, returning to her usual taciturn, wooden demeanor.
That night, an unremarkable little brown bird landed on a window in the inner courtyard of Prince Yong's residence. It chirped twice, then used its tiny beak to preen feathers still carrying a hint of dampness. Seeing no one come out, it blinked its shiny black‑bean eyes and pecked at the window.
In the stillness of night, the sound was unusually clear. Qing Su, who was on night duty, quickly rose and pushed the window open. Before he could react, a dark blur darted inside, mercilessly flinging a faceful of moisture at him.
When Qing Su looked again, the shadow was gone, having cleverly slipped into the inner chamber.
Thinking of Prince Yong's temper when woken from sleep, Qing Su felt a slight chill on his scalp. He quietly pushed open the inner door and glanced around by moonlight, only to find that Lu Zhan was already awake, half‑sitting on the bed. A small dark shape was hopping excitedly back and forth on the brocade quilt, affectionately rubbing its little head against his palm.
"Light the lamp," Lu Zhan said.
Qing Su immediately took out a fire striker and lit the candle near the bed. The flame flickered briefly before stabilizing. He instinctively looked toward the bed again, and upon recognizing the dark shape, shock surfaced on his usually impassive face. "This is… one of the little skylarks from the southwest tribute? Weren't they bestowed upon Her Majesty the Empress?"
Having slept poorly, Lu Zhan had no patience for the overly enthusiastic little creature. He spread his hand to let the skylark hop onto it, casually untied the bamboo tube from its tiny leg, and tossed it toward Qing Su.
Qing Su fumbled to catch it, only to be pecked several times for no apparent reason.
Lu Zhan pretended not to see it. With a trace of irritation from being awakened lingering in his eyes, he calmly unfolded the letter in his hand. As expected, it was from Mu Su.
Without even thinking, Lu Zhan knew this was the Empress's arrangement. This exceptionally well‑trained skylark must also have been deliberately bestowed upon Mu Su by the Empress.
Looking at the two densely written pages, Lu Zhan almost laughed in exasperation.
Mu Su's report perfectly reflected her personality—meticulous and exhaustive. She even recorded Shen Wan's expressions and tone when speaking, exactly in line with her serious, rigorous nature.
However, while Lu Zhan had been away on assignment, he had been reading Hebai's letters instead. In contrast, Hebai summarized things concisely, which made Mu Su's style feel particularly overwhelming. Combined with his poor sleep from pretending to be weak, the last of his patience had been worn thin.
Decisively, he shoved the letter under his pillow and waved his hand irritably, signaling Qing Su to leave.
It wasn't until the next morning, when news arrived from the palace, that Lu Zhan returned to his usual lazy demeanor.
"…The assassin confessed that Prince Shun was behind it. The Ministry of Justice reported this at court, and His Majesty reprimanded Prince Shun on the spot. Prince Shun refused to admit it and accused others of framing him," Qing Su reported. "A group of officials led by Censor Qin pleaded on Prince Shun's behalf. His Majesty ordered further investigation. Following our original plan, Shen Chuan successfully submitted the evidence. When the assassin saw it, he committed suicide… Prince Ping has now been detained, and Prince Shun and Prince Cheng should be suspicious of each other now."
Lu Zhan tapped the table lightly, smiling as if he had never been injured. "The main goal this time was to eliminate Prince Ping. Undermining their relationship was secondary. Even if the second and fourth truly fall out, we still can't let our guard down."
Qing Su straightened and nodded solemnly.
"That little skylark from yesterday—was it released?" Lu Zhan asked.
"Yes, it's already been released," Qing Su replied immediately.
Lu Zhan nodded and took two sheets of paper from his robe, tossing them to Qing Su. "Read them. Let me hear what Mu Su wrote."
"Yes." Qing Su opened the neatly folded pages and began to read aloud, "Recently, Miss Shen has often mentioned Your Highness, saying that you are… cough…"
Lu Zhan raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
Suppressing laughter, Qing Su continued, "That Your Highness is graceful as jade, dashing and unrestrained, virtuous and talented, devoted to the people…"
"Stop." Lu Zhan interrupted, the faint smile spreading from his eyes into his voice. "I'll read it myself. Go attend to your duties."
Qing Su respectfully returned the letter, stifling laughter as he hurried out.
In high spirits, Lu Zhan narrowed his eyes slightly, hooking the letter between his fingers and savoring the running‑account‑like record word by word, as though appreciating poetry.
"Where did she even come up with so many phrases… and not a single one repeated…" Lu Zhan murmured, entirely missing the fact that in Mu Su's records, Liu Mu was present every time Shen Wan praised him.
Shaking his head, he finally finished and continued reading.
"After Lord Shen returned home and mentioned Your Highness's injury, Miss Shen was extremely anxious and firmly insisted that you are blessed by fortune and would absolutely be fine…"
It had merely been a calculated setup. Of course he would be fine. Lu Zhan thought to himself. Yet his heart felt as if it were wrapped in a perfectly warm spring, radiating comfort and delight.
"Miss Liu said she wished to see Your Highness in order to have the promise fulfilled… Miss Shen also seemed eager to see you and helped Miss Liu question Lord Shen. Since Your Highness had been summoned to the palace, Lord Shen had no choice but to reveal that you go to Huguo Temple to repay vows after each return to the capital… Miss Shen has already persuaded Madam Shen, who agreed to let her and Miss Liu go to Huguo Temple together…"
Lu Zhan's brow suddenly furrowed. He scolded the letter in a low voice, "Utter nonsense!"
"Someone, prepare a horse!" Folding the letter, Lu Zhan shed his lazy demeanor and stood up. He moved to put the letter away, but caught sight of writing on the back and unfolded it again.
The handwriting at the edge was messy, as if written in haste.
—"Miss Shen dreamed of a young woman being with the one she loves. After waking and realizing it was only a dream, her mood seemed rather low."
Lu Zhan read that final line several times. His brow relaxed, and he calmly sat back down. Yet his fingers seemed to move of their own accord, tapping lightly and cheerfully on the tabletop.
"Your Highness, where are you planning to go?" Qing Su rushed back upon hearing the order. His question died in his throat when he saw the genuine smile at the corner of Lu Zhan's lips.
Lu Zhan looked at him and said something entirely unexpected, "Go inform Abbot Xuánjìng to prepare my usual courtyard for Miss Shen of the Shen family. Also deploy a group of covert guards to Huguo Temple—keep an eye on her."
Author's Note:
Wanwan: I can finally let Lu Zhan and Liu Mu meet! Can't wait! [rubbing hands eagerly.jpg]
Lu Zhan: Three‑panel reaction—[seeing through but not exposing it.jpg][I'm such a gentleman, I'll never call out Wanwan's excuse.jpg][holding the letter and smiling silently.jpg]
PS: Minor personal setting—trained skylarks in this story are very clever and can deliver letters.
TL: Girl's getting cooked fr