His voice was unusually patient and unconsciously gentle. They were very close. He was willing to take the time to understand Ding Huanhua.

For example, when Ding Huanhua watched the dragon dance with enthusiasm, he would watch her with quiet, gentle eyes, showing no impatience. 

In contrast, when he did anything with Lin Zhaoxue to foster their relationship, he found it troublesome and disruptive to his work. 

Now, he could keenly sense when she was tired from sightseeing, noticing she was overdressed in the heat but too engrossed to adjust.

He would use his handkerchief to gently wipe the sweat from her forehead. He had never shown such care for Lin Zhaoxue; he only learned of her chronic illness an hour before her death.

Lin Zhaoxue followed them.  Seeing Li Yanyong wipe Ding Huanhua’s sweat, she felt a pang of jealousy, her eyes welling up. 

She didn’t want to show weakness in front of her son or continue watching her husband and his wife.  She quickly wiped her tears, softly saying, “It’s getting cold. 

I’m not feeling well. I’ll go put on a coat and be right back.” It was an excuse; she needed time to compose herself.  She turned to leave but was surrounded by guards.

Two guards held her down.  Li Yanyong, who had been looking at Ding Huanhua with tender eyes, now stood protectively behind her, his gaze cold as he addressed the captured Lin Zhaoxue. “Who’s there?  Show yourself.”

Lin Zhaoxue felt embarrassed.  She was roughly handled by the guards, nearly falling to her knees. Her hair was disheveled. 

In contrast, Li Yanyong stood tall and composed, protectively shielding his wife.  He looked at Lin Zhaoxue with an emotionless gaze, like she was dead.

“You’ve been following us. What’s your purpose? I haven’t made any enemies recently; you’re not someone’s bodyguard.”  He had noticed she was following them.

“Lift your head.”  His voice was cold and wary.

Lin Zhaoxue refused.  She was making a futile last stand.  She didn’t want to appear pathetic in front of her husband and his wife.

Li Yanyong didn’t indulge her.  Seeing her refusal, he had a guard force her head up.  Their eyes met.  It was their reunion.  She appeared pathetic, while he was protective of his wife.

Lin Zhaoxue saw the usually calm indifference in Li Yanyong’s eyes, now filled with a sharp, cold intensity. The surrounding noise seemed to fade. They stared at each other.

After a moment, Lin Zhaoxue laughed—a bitter laugh.  She found her persistence in seeing him ridiculous.  The bitterness overwhelmed her. 

Her beliefs crumbled.  She knew him too well.  She had seen his genuine love for her, and she sensed the lack of it now.  That’s why she had to see him—to confirm his feelings.

Li Yanyong watched her, his silence betraying his turmoil.  A guard broke the silence, “Master, what should we do with this woman?”

Ding Huanhua tugged on Li Yanyong’s sleeve, uneasy.  A woman’s intuition told her something was wrong. 

Li Yanyong looked away from Lin Zhaoxue, regaining his composure.  Ding Huanhua pointed to Lin Zhaoxue, asking, “Does my husband know this woman? What should we do?”  Her voice trembled, fearing her husband might be like other men in the capital.

Li Yanyong patted her shoulder, “Go back. Don’t worry, I’ll explain and handle it.”

Ding Huanhua, raised in a humble family, asked, “But can I know her identity?”

Li Yanyong replied, “She and I… had some dealings.”  He spoke as if discussing a stranger.

Lin Zhaoxue’s heart ached.  She wanted to question him, but her mouth was covered to prevent suicide.  Li Yanyong then called for Li Hui. 

He put his arm around his son, telling Ding Huanhua, “Hui’er knows about this woman. Let him explain.”

Li Hui didn’t react immediately.  He went to Lin Zhaoxue, saying coldly, “Don’t be sad. You’ll get used to it. You’ll understand.” 

There was a hint of disappointment in his voice.  He then walked towards Ding Huanhua’s carriage, “Let’s go.”  He avoided Ding Huanhua’s attempt to take his hand.

“Father, someone’s still on the ground,” he said before getting into the carriage, leaving without Ding Huanhua.  It was Li Zong Heng’s carriage.

Ding Huanhua felt awkward.  Li Yanyong tried to scold his son, but the carriage was already gone.  Only dust remained.

Lin Zhaoxue was finally remembered.  She sighed, commenting on the strength of Li Yanyong’s new guards.  She took a deep breath. 

Trying to ease the tension, she said, “Li Yanyong, won’t you help me up? These guards are new; they’re quite strong.”

Li Yanyong simply gestured, and the guards helped her up.  She sighed.  Then, almost simultaneously, they both spoke:

“Lin Zhaoxue, the situation is complicated. We need to consider our interests.”

“Li Yanyong, this reunion is fortunate. I want to know about you and Hui’er. Have you suffered?”