Lou Ling stared at his expressionless face, with joy shining in his eyes but also a hint of hidden concern.

After much hesitation, he finally spoke, "Recently... recently the young master has been staying in the Ping Le Pavilion. If the Emperor finds out, what will happen..."

"Tsk..."

He hadn't finished speaking when Huo Lin impatiently interrupted, "Little one, this master is here to find some joy."

He spoke while lifting his lower jaw slightly: "I thought you were a sensible person, why do you keep bringing up these unhappy things?"

Lou Ling immediately lowered her head and said, "It's my fault... I've angered the young master... but..."

"But what?" Huo Lin lightly swayed the folding fan, a hint of laziness in his expression.

But after the third day of March, Lou Ling was unaware whether the young master would continue to visit this Pingle Pavilion and show favor to Lou Ling.

He sounded despondent, tinged with a hint of sadness, but Huo Lin's expression darkened.

On the third day of the third lunar month, he entered the Ming Prefecture. This matter had always been a knot in his heart, and now, being mentioned by Lou Ling, he felt even more uneasy all over.

But seeing his tearful expression, Huo Lin still gently patted his back and slowed down his tone: "Don't worry, even if I become a magistrate in his jurisdiction, how many people in this world can control me?"

He picked up the dried fruits next to him and handed them to Luo Ling's mouth, saying, "Whichever one Master wants to spoil, he'll spoil. No one else can interfere."

Lou Ling obediently swallowed the preserved fruit and, after listening to his words, felt a sense of calmness in her heart. Therefore, she snuggled closer into Huo Lin's embrace and refrained from speaking any further words that would disturb him.

"May their love last forever, and may the affectionate couple grow old together, symbolizing true freedom through their close bond."＊

On the stage, a beautiful melody that exudes a strong sense of spring was being sung. Lou Linger carefully listened to the ethereal lyrics, leaning against Huo Lin's chest, showcasing a satisfied and joyful smile.

When Mingxi returned to the house, Xu Fu had already left. The empty and dilapidated room only had the hunched figure of Shen Xiang. Seeing this, Mingxi immediately put down the firewood in his hand and went forward to help Shen Xiang up.

"Madam Xiang... Xier has fetched some firewood... Madam Xiang won't feel cold anymore..."

Shen Xiang saw his bluish hands, and immediately felt heartache, gently caressing Ming Xi's face.

"They...did they give our young master a hard time?"

She originally asked Mingxi to go and fetch firewood, just to distract him from talking to Xu Fu. However, she didn't expect that he would actually bring back the firewood.

As soon as Shen Xiang saw his purple-red hands, she knew that those servants must have been causing trouble for him.

"He... No... It's not... not difficult..." Mingxi was afraid that she would worry, and shook her head repeatedly, saying, "They... didn't make things difficult for Xier..."

Shen Xiang saw how obedient and sensible he was, and felt a deep bitterness in her heart. She held his hand and said in a gentle voice, "On the third day of the third month, it's the day when the Sixth Prince enters the mansion... There are some things that this old body wants to discuss with the young master..."

Liu Wangye?

Mingxi wide-eyed, her gaze filled with confusion. She felt that this address was somewhat familiar, but she couldn't recall where she had heard it before. It slipped from her memory completely.

Shen Xiang did not notice his expression and continued to speak to himself, "The Sixth Prince is the most beloved grandson of the Empress Dowager, superior to thousands of others and of distinguished status..."

After the young master sees the Sixth Prince, he must listen to the prince's words obediently... Do not provoke the prince's displeasure... Understood?

She asked in a slow voice, looking at Mingxi with an earnest gaze.

Mingxi pondered for a moment upon hearing this, remaining silent for a while before responding, "If Xier obeys, will the Sixth Prince treat Xier well?"

"Will you treat Xian'er as well as Xiang Granny and Ming Ge did?"

"Of course he will..." Shen Xiang gently patted his hand. "Our young master is so outstanding in appearance and has a gentle temperament. The Sixth Prince... will definitely be good to our young master."

"Uhm..."

Mingxi raised her hand to wipe the dirt from her face, recalling the people she had seen on the stage, and shook her head again. "Xier is not pretty... Xier is not as good-looking as the people on the stage."

Note: *The selected drama excerpt is from "The Peach Blossom Fan".