The clingy concubine ran away, and the sickly prince lost control.

Luo Qingyan quickly followed, but her thoughts were still on Yan Ning.

Pei Shiyuan wanted to explain his relationship with Yan Ning, but she didn't want to listen, even if Pei Shiyuan and Yan Ning had nothing going on.

But how could there be a shortage of noble ladies as outstanding as Yan Ning in the capital? If it weren't for Yan Ning, there would be others; it wouldn't be her turn.

She shouldn't get caught up in Pei Shiyuan's fleeting tenderness; she should just focus on doing business well.

Now that she has two more shops, she needs to think carefully about what to do with them.

Pei Shiyuan stood at a distance of not too close to Shen Nanxun, preventing Yuan Qing from going forward to call for help.

"Respectfully seeing off Miss Cui."

Goodbye.

Outside the door, Shen Nanxun and Cui Hui bowed to each other in farewell.

Shen Nanxun paused in the cool autumn night breeze, and only prepared to get into his own carriage after watching Cui Hui's carriage drive away.

"Brother Shen."

Pei Shiyuan rolled forward in his wheelchair.

Luo Qingyan was standing next to Pei Shiyuan and could clearly sense that he was very anxious.

"Your Highness?" Shen Nanxun heard someone call him, and he withdrew his foot that was about to get onto the carriage and turned around.

"Brother Shen, it's been a long time. Would you like to visit Kangning Pavilion sometime?" Pei Shiyuan invited, his eyes fixed on Shen Nanxun.

"Alright! It's been many days since I've seen the young master, and I have some things to ask you." Shen Nanxun said with a smile.

Seeing Shen Nanxun smile, Pei Shiyuan finally felt relieved, thinking that Cui Hui probably hadn't said anything bad about him.

"Brother Shen, what does Miss Cui want with you?" Luo Qingyan asked. Pei Shiyuan just wanted to know what Cui Hui wanted with Shen Nanxun.

If he can't ask, then ask for him.

"Miss Cui!" Before Shen Nanxun could even finish his sentence, a smile already played on his lips as he mentioned her name. "She asked me to write the instruction manual for her improved weapon."

"What a waste of talent," Pei Shiyuan muttered.

Luo Qingyan's mouth gaped open in shock. How could you be like this? Cui Hui didn't say anything bad about you, yet you're gossiping about her.

"No, Your Highness, I think Miss Cui has a great understanding of military strategy and weaponry. I am unworthy to have gained Miss Cui's favor, and I am very honored." Shen Nanxun said earnestly, his eyes full of admiration.

"I've seen the weapons that Miss Cui improved; they're truly amazing," Luo Qingyan echoed with a smile, glancing at Pei Shiyuan. Cui Hui has the ability; you have to admit it.

Shen Nanxun nodded seriously. He admired a woman who could do many things that men could not, and faced even greater difficulties, yet still persisted and did not give up.

"Brother Shen, remember to visit Kangning Pavilion." Pei Shiyuan felt isolated and left in his wheelchair.

"Certainly, Your Highness." Shen Nanxun bowed and saw him off.

Inside the carriage, Pei Shiyuan's face darkened.

Luo Qingyan didn't care; Pei Shiyuan's actions regarding Cui Hui were unethical.

She wouldn't go along with his unreasonable behavior, so she pretended not to see it and started humming a little tune.

"Are you that happy?" Pei Shiyuan said coldly.

It's true that Cui Hui has some ability, and she hasn't slacked off in her martial arts.

But he didn't want Cui Hui to take this unstable path. He wanted her to marry someone decent; with the Cui family's resources, she could live a good life. Why suffer?

Luo Qingyan was busy with all sorts of things, all for the sake of a stable and secure life, and she was even willing to become his widow to carry on his lineage.

But Cui Huisheng had everything, yet she still insisted on causing trouble.

He shared the same idea as his mother: wait until Cui Hui encountered setbacks, and then give up on his own.

But Shen Nanxun and Luo Qingyan keep praising Cui Hui, so when will she ever back down?

"Yes! Of course I'm happy to know such an outstanding young lady from the Marquis's mansion as Yan Ning."

Pei Shiyuan didn't give her a friendly look, so Luo Qingyan's mind raced. She raised the corners of her mouth, but her tone was sarcastic. She wanted to tease Pei Shiyuan and make him suffer too.

Sure enough, Pei Shiyuan's face softened, no longer gloomy.

Luo Qingyan minded Yan Ning.

"Yan Ning is the only female student at the Imperial Academy, and she is exceptionally talented. We are not familiar with each other, we just know each other and exchange greetings when we meet," Pei Shiyuan explained quickly.

"Just kidding. I'm happy because I ate Wanfulou's food and packed so much to take home for Granny Liu and Caihong to have as a late-night snack." Luo Qingyan smiled. It was impossible for her not to mind at all; she felt inferior in front of Yan Ning.

She knew very well that Pei Shiyuan would not be anyone's husband in the future, and she was prepared for that, so she wouldn't get involved.

Pei Shiyuan gave him a cold glance. If he cared, he cared. Just like when he hated Shen Nanxun, he was familiar with that feeling.

"I have nothing to do with Yan Ning."

"I know! I was just kidding, Your Highness. Otherwise, with the carriage swaying, I might fall asleep." Luo Qingyan smiled to ease the awkwardness; she and Yan Ning were from completely different worlds.

The presence of such a matriarch created a sense of distance that made it impossible for her to approach her.

Fortunately, there was Kangning Pavilion, and she was busy with business. Having been given a second chance at life, she felt that fate had already been kind to her, and she didn't want to ask for anything more.

The next day.

Pei Shiyuan hadn't seen Luo Qingyan since early morning, nor at noon, nor at dinner, and now the city lights were just coming on.

Yuan Qing noticed that the master's expression changed from morning to night, like a sunny day gradually turning into a cloudy one.

"Where did Luo Qingyan go?" Pei Shiyuan looked at the dinner table, then at the empty chair next to him, a look of loneliness flashing in his eyes, and finally asked.

He guessed that Luo Qingyan had figured out his thoughts. She hadn't accompanied him back yesterday, so he had indulged her. Today, she deliberately disappeared to keep him hanging.

So Pei Shiyuan persisted until evening, and only asked when he could no longer hold on.

Yuan Qing shook his head. The young master's meaning was written all over his face from morning till night. He had already asked Granny Liu about it.

They all said they didn't know.

Liu Yue also disappeared.

Pei Shiyuan lost his appetite, put down his chopsticks, lowered his eyes, and rubbed his thumb. Luo Qingyan was deliberately disappearing so that he would have to go find her.

He's not going; it's already evening, and he should be back by now.

I didn't realize that Luo Qingyan would become so spoiled and arrogant. This kind of behavior should not be encouraged.

Why play cat-and-mouse games with him when you clearly have a talent for business?

The incense sticks in the room burned out one by one and fell down, and another hour passed.

Granny Liu and Rainbow closed the door, and Kangning Pavilion closed for the day. After a busy day, they yawned and prepared to rest.

Pei Shiyuan sat there, fuming.

Everyone else acted as if nothing had happened.

"Granny Liu, where do you think Aunt Luo will go?" Yuan Qing called out loudly as Granny Liu walked away.

He also sensed that the others were acting strangely. Aunt Luo was avoiding the young master, so they must know something. He had to ask the young master in front of him.

"Guard Yuan, I really don't know. The young lady only said she was going out for a stroll, maybe she ran into someone she knew." Before Granny Liu could finish speaking, Pei Shiyuan rolled down the slide in his wheelchair.

Yuan Qing chased after him: "Master, do you know where Aunt Luo went?"

Pei Shiyuan ignored him, but his aura of hostility intensified. Acquaintances? How many acquaintances could he possibly have?

Yuan Qing quickly shut up. When the master was angry, they had to speak less and just follow behind.

Who is Aunt Luo's acquaintance? The young master is so angry, could it be his lover?