Xie Huaian waited, but no one showed up.

He wanted to search for Tao Sheng in the crowd, but he didn’t want to miss her if she returned after he left. After thinking it over, he decided to stay where he was, so she’d see him first when she came back.

Time passed slowly, and the night deepened. Just as Xie Huaian was about to lose patience, he saw Ji Yanming walking toward him, holding Tao Sheng’s hand.

Xie Huaian’s gaze fixed on their clasped hands, unable to look away.

“You…” 

Could they have done this secretly without his knowledge?

With Ji Yanming’s guidance, Tao Sheng found a shortcut and successfully released the river lanterns. The way back through the crowd was much harder.

Ji Yanming held her hand: “This way.”

Though Tao Sheng felt overwhelmed by the crowd, Ji Yanming’s presence made her feel safe, and she finally got to the shore.

Though Ji Yanming was a civil servant, he was a top student at the academy and had mastered archery and charioteering, two of the six arts of a gentleman. He quickly led her out of the crowd with his height advantage.

Tao Sheng didn’t think there was anything wrong at the time, but when Xie Huaian looked at her, she felt uneasy.

Tao Sheng pulled her hand away and fanned herself awkwardly: “It was just crowded, and my cousin was worried I’d get lost… Luckily, I’m out now.”

Xie Huaian looked at Ji Yanming with a serious expression.

Was it really an emergency?

No matter how you look at it, it seemed like he had planned this for a while.

Tao Sheng finally found a moment to ask Ji Yanming, “What important matter did the government have today that made you come so late?”

Ji Yanming replied, “The Xuanzheng Palace just issued an edict, downgrading Prince Rui from a prince to a county prince, and now he is not allowed to leave the palace without being summoned. Then, the Ministry of Justice issued an edict to investigate all people connected to Prince Rui, so I got delayed.”

Tao Sheng was shocked. She never expected the emperor had issued such an important decree.

Even when the emperor had sentenced the King of Chu to death in a fit of anger, he only confined him to the palace and didn’t strip him of his title. Now, Prince Rui was in an even worse position. Not only was he punished again, but he was also demoted to a county prince.

It seems Ji Yanming was right—Prince Rui was in trouble.

_

Two days later, Grand Master Luo specially sent an invitation, asking Tao Sheng to his house for tea and music.

After the musician finished playing, Grand Master Luo smiled and said to Tao Sheng, “You are already an expert in this field. It would be a shame for me to invite you to listen to the music now.”

“This piece of music is well-written, with a grand melody and broad feeling, especially the last two parts, which make you feel like ‘standing on the top of a mountain and looking down on all the other mountains.’ It’s refreshing.”

“I liked this piece when I was younger. I composed it myself, so it’s quite old now.” Grand Master Luo said with a smile. “But later my family went through some changes, and my grandfather had high expectations of me. Even though I liked this music, I let it go to satisfy my family. When your aunt asked you something the other day, you didn’t respond. I wondered if you, like me back then, felt that living in a big family with too many rules might feel restricting, making you reluctant to return?”

“I can’t hide anything from you.” Tao Sheng smiled awkwardly. “I did have some such concerns.”

“Your concerns are valid,” Grand Master Luo said. “In families like ours, there are many rules and duties, but I’ve experienced it before. I know that children have their own dreams, and they can’t always be forced. I will try to avoid these things and not restrict you young people.”

“Though I have some selfish reasons for wanting you to return, you are my grandchild, and blood is thicker than water. Naturally, I want the best for you. Your mother, uncle, and I have discussed it and decided not to ask you to return to the Luo family mansion. Your former adoptive parents can still be respected as your godparents and treated as relatives.”

“I know you have a strong bond with your cousin. Lord Ji is now at the critical point of being promoted from the fifth rank to the fourth rank. You are my grandchild, and he is your cousin. I’m willing to treat Yan Ming like my own child. What do you think?”

Tao Sheng gripped the handkerchief in her hand.

It must be said that Grand Master Luo’s last words truly touched her.

She knew that with Ji Yanming’s ability and character, as long as he wasn’t misled by someone like King Rui, he would achieve his goals.

But she also knew that this path wouldn’t be easy. It was full of uncertainties and challenges. She hoped Ji Yanming could be safe, happy, and find success without always struggling.

If the Luo family hadn’t stepped in and asked the Dali Temple to take care of Ji Yanming, he would have suffered more.

With the Luo family’s support, Ji Yanming could avoid many hardships and make fewer mistakes.

Both sides were clever, so it was better to know when to stop.

“You are right.” Tao Sheng smiled and nodded to Grand Master Luo. “Then I will trouble Grandfather to take care of me in the future.”