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Little did he expect that the order would be for him to go down and pay the bill.

Not only was he not allowed to disturb Madam, but he was expected to return immediately after settling the payment. He didn't even have the chance to savor the lingering scent.

Upon arriving at Gu Changjin's residence, Gu Changjin made his way directly to his study without pause.

Chang Ji was about to follow when he heard Gu Changjin say, "Leave. Close the door."

His foot, already in mid-step, retreated hesitantly.

After Chang Ji's footsteps faded away, Gu Changjin picked up the cold tea on the desk and drank it in one swift gulp.

When she had choked earlier, he had instinctively alighted from the carriage. If not for Chang Ji calling out to him, he might not have realized that he had already left the carriage.

Confused, Chang Ji asked if there was anything else he needed to do.

In a near-delusional manner, he had instructed Chang Ji to pay the bill, as if his descent was solely for that purpose.

Gu Changjin closed his eyes.

Despite his reluctance to admit it, he was well aware that he had developed feelings for Rong Shu.

As he left Minglu Yard, he stood before those four paintings for a long while, his mind repeatedly replaying the scene in his dream where she looked up at him and asked if they were pleasing to the eye.

His heart pounded rapidly.

What was this sensation called being moved by love, or falling in love without knowing how it started?

He had truly tasted the depths of these emotions.

Perhaps it wasn't that he didn't know where his affection originated.

Gu Changjin opened his eyes, somewhat resigned, and began to recall their moments together like watching a shadow puppet show.

In the six months since their marriage, they had shared very few words and experiences together.

Yet, every word she had spoken, every action she had taken—when he deliberately recollected them—appeared vividly as if they happened just yesterday.

Subconsciously, he had been meticulously memorizing her every gesture, her every smile.

And this was not merely due to his distrust of her.

Gu Changjin raised his hand to press against his pounding chest, recalling that New Year's Eve when she had presented him with the divorce papers with such resolution and liberation.

She must have liked him at some point.

Was it when she inquired about the Mid-Autumn Festival night of Jia You nineteen years ago that it all began?

Then when did she...stop being fond of him?

"Knock, knock."

The sound of the knocking startled the man in the room, as if surprised that he could be so deeply lost in contemplation and troubled thoughts.

It was as if he were an inexperienced young man freshly fallen in love.

Gu Changjin slowly lowered his hand, pursing his lips. Only after the chaos in his mind subsided did he step forward to open the door.

The moment the door opened, the young lady standing in the corridor looked up at him with a warm smile. Upon entering the room, she bowed in greeting, "Lord Gu."

Every gesture and movement of hers was composed, as if the flush that had momentarily stained her cheeks from the surprise was not hers.

Gu Changjin's gaze lingered on her slightly reddened eyes before he replied, "Miss Rong."

"I came to inform you that Mother will be returning to the Marquis Manor in early February to prepare for Rong Wan's wedding. At that time, I'll have to assist her."

In truth, Rong Wan's marriage arrangements were already being taken care of by Madam Rong and Aunt Pei. There was no need for Madam Shen to concern herself, nor was it necessary for Rong Shu to lend a hand.

However, Rong Shu could not bear to leave her mother alone in the Marquis Manor. Thus, she planned to return when her mother did. After all, for Gu Changjin, her departure would mean a quieter life at the Gu residence. It was a mutually beneficial situation – why not take advantage of it?

Gu Changjin initially assumed that she had come to repay the silver for those soup pancakes. To his surprise, it was actually about her return to the Marquis Manor.

As meticulous as he was, how could he not perceive that this young lady did not wish to remain in Phoenix Avenue?

No, it should be said, she did not wish to stay at the Gu Manor, nor by his side.

A slight constriction gripped his heart. Lowering his gaze, Gu Changjin acknowledged her with a faint "Mm-hmm." "Thank you for informing me, Miss."

Rong Shu had only come to the study to give him this heads-up. After speaking, she left promptly and efficiently.

The moment she left, Gu Changjin picked up a document to read, but after a long while, his gaze remained fixated on the first character, unyielding.

His mind was blank, his thoughts moving at a sluggish pace, while his heart ached with a heavy oppression.

Yet, that heart continued to pound wildly.

After sitting motionless for a good half-hour, Gu Changjin finally put down the document, grabbed his cloak, and headed for the door.

Knowing that Gu Changjin was about to return to the Ministry of Punishments, Chang Ji was taken aback.

His master had clearly asked for half a day off from the Left Vice Minister to come back to Wutong Lane; why was he going back now?

Chang Ji opened his mouth to inquire but stopped when he saw the expression on Gu Changjin's face.

Master didn't look... well.

Chang Ji didn't say anything further and immediately set about preparing the horse.

Not long after escorting Gu Changjin to the Ministry of Punishments, Heng Ping arrived at the main street.

"The second miss from the Cheng'an Marquis Estate has come to Phoenix Lane," someone reported.

Chang Ji furrowed his brow, his hands folded in his sleeves. "Miss Rong Hui and Madam are not on good terms. Why would she come looking for Madam?"

Recalling Rong Hui's furious expression, Heng Ping responded neutrally, "She must be here to cause trouble for Madam. Should I inform the master?"

Chang Ji hesitated, his lips moving slightly. "Forget it. The master is in a rather bad mood today and just rushed back to the Ministry of Justice. There must be something urgent. Let's wait until the master finishes his duties before mentioning Madam's matter. Keep a close eye on Songsi Courtyard and ensure nothing unexpected happens to Madam."

Unaware of this conversation, Gu Changjin was busy until three quarters past the seventh hour of the day.

By the time Gu Changjin left the Ministry of Punishment and returned to Wutong Lane, darkness had descended, and large snowflakes were falling gently. However, the usually well-lit Songsi Courtyard was unusually dark.

Stopping in his tracks, Gu Changjin gazed at the Moon Cave Gate of the courtyard without uttering a word.

Was she going back to the Cheng'an Marquis Estate today?

Chang Ji, standing nearby, followed his gaze and, recalling what Heng Ping had mentioned, quickly said, "Young Miss's younger stepsister visited Songsi Courtyard today, and Young Mistress went out with her. My Lord, please rest assured; Heng Ping has been keeping a close eye on them, ensuring nothing untoward will happen to Young Mistress."

Ever since he learned from Heng Ping that his Master had taken Young Mistress to the Qiu Mountain Retreat, Chang Ji knew that Master held a great deal of trust in Young Mistress.