She refused to marry.

When Su Wanwan returned to the mansion, her younger siblings came one by one to inquire about her whereabouts.

Where did she and that Mr. Lu go these past few days?

Annoyed by the noise, Su Wanwan simply shut herself in and refused to see anyone.

"Squeak"

The window was pried open.

Su Xian opened the window. "Sister Wan, there's nothing shameful about being a merchant. Just speak frankly. But why hasn't Young Master Lu proposed marriage yet?"

"How many times do I have to say it? There's nothing between him and me!" Su Wanwan said angrily. She had explained it hundreds of times already.

"Oh, if it's nothing, then why did Young Master Lu come to visit again today?" Su Xian asked with a smile.

Su Wanwan stood up. "He's here?"

"You're here." Su Xian said jokingly as she saw her reach the door. "You've left again."

Su Wanwan lowered her hand from the door latch. "What's he doing here?"

Su Xian picked up a food box from the ground and said, "I sent a serving of dumplings to everyone in our household."

Su Wanwan opened the door. "Come in."

"Yes!" Su Xian squeezed through the doorway, went inside, and placed the food box on the table.

Su Wanwan took out the dumplings, and the aroma of Linjianglou wafted out.

He picked up the chopsticks and swallowed one in one gulp; the second one had just entered his mouth.

Su Xian leaned closer and said, "Sister Wan, someone from Fengchenjun told me privately that they want you to go to the East Garden tomorrow."

Su Wanwan spat out the dumplings she had just put in. "What...what did you just say?"

She finally escaped the clutches of evil.

I would never fall into the tiger's mouth again.

"The guard who follows Lord Fengchen stopped me when school ended today and asked you to go to the East Garden tomorrow," Su Xian said in a low voice.

"And then? What did you say?" Su Wanwan pressed.

Su Xian scratched his head. "I agree."

Su Wanwan was furious. "Couldn't you have made up an excuse? I'm sick..."

Su Xian scratched his head. "I dare not disobey Lord Fengchen's words."

Su Wanwan suddenly felt that the dumplings in her mouth had lost their flavor.

The next day.

Su Wanwan appeared at the Princess's residence, dressed neatly.

The guards led the way, passing through corridors and around artificial hills. After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they finally met Lord Fengchen by a small pond deep in the East Garden.

The emperor sat on a bamboo chair, wearing a moon-white undergarment and a black outer robe casually draped over his shoulders, which hung to the ground and was covered in mud.

Her hair was loosely tied up with a ribbon, with a few stray strands falling across her forehead.

He held a fishing rod in his hand, completely still.

Su Wanwan stood three steps away and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty."

Xiao Xuanjing turned around, his gaze meaningful, and said in a calm voice, "You've arrived?"

Su Wanwan hummed in agreement.

"Sit down." Xiao Xuanjing gestured with his chin to the small stool next to him.

Su Wanwan straightened her pale yellow dress and sat down.

"What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

"I've been feeling quite lonely fishing these past few days. You and I have been through thick and thin together, so I invited you here to experience what true friendship is." Xiao Xuanjing stared calmly at the lake.

Su Wanwan didn't react for a moment.

Want to be friends with Feng Chen?

Xiao Xuanjing pointed to the fishing rod beside him. "Do you know how to fish?"

Su Wanwan nodded.

"Do it yourself."

Su Wanwan took the bait from the side and baited it.

He awkwardly cast the fishing line out.

"Your Majesty," she couldn't help but ask, "you summoned me here just to go fishing with you?"

Xiao Xuanjing shook the fishing rod. "Miss Su is unwilling?"

Su Wanwan opened her mouth, wanting to say "This humble woman is very busy," but swallowed the words back.

If you tell too many lies, you'll need even more lies to cover them up.

It was quiet by the pond, with the rustling of lotus leaves in the wind and the gentle swaying of fishing floats on the water.

For the first time, Su Wanwan experienced the feeling of comfort at the Princess's residence.

"Your Majesty, is your wound any better?" Su Wanwan stared at the carp that had stolen the bait but refused to take the bait.

"I won't die." He paused, considered his words carefully, and then asked, "What kind of person am I in Miss Su's eyes?"

Su Wanwan paused slightly, then turned to look at Feng Chenjun.

His expression was calm, not the usual suppressed and restrained one.

Like the surface of a lake, calm as it sways in the wind.

He lowered his eyes and thought for a moment: "Does Your Majesty wish to hear the truth or a lie?"

"The truth." Xiao Xuanjing stared at the lake.

"I'm afraid the Emperor will be angry if I tell the truth," Su Wanwan said in a low voice.

Xiao Xuanjing glanced at her: "I'm already a little unhappy about it..."

"Actually, Your Majesty isn't that bad..." Su Wanwan stammered.

"I would like to hear Miss Su's thoughts." Xiao Xuanjing moved the lever.

Su Wanwan gritted her teeth, "Incomprehensible, domineering, tyrannical, calculating, ruthless in achieving her goals, capricious, unpredictable, cold as an icebox, fierce as the King of Hell, smiling while hiding a knife, using people as pawns and still acting self-righteous..."

She stole a glance at Feng Chenjun; she had said a lot, and he seemed to be enjoying it very much, quite content.

"Also, they are inhumane."

"You speak more eloquently than they do..." Xiao Xuanjing slightly curled the corners of his mouth.

"Who?" Su Wanwan asked curiously.

"Those people in the court," Xiao Xuanjing stared at the lake, his tone indifferent, "They say I am a wolf in sheep's clothing, a scourge to the country and its people, deserving of a thousand cuts, utterly disloyal and unfilial, a traitor to the emperor, and that my achievements are too great to threaten his rule, and that I will rebel sooner or later... Do you think they are right?"

Su Wanwan pursed her lips. "That's indeed an exaggeration. With His Majesty's power, he would have rebelled long ago if he wanted to."

Su Wanwan quickly covered her mouth, and the fishing rod slipped from her hand, startling the leisurely carp at her feet.

"Your Majesty, I was wrong," Su Wanwan pleaded.

"What are you afraid of? You're right." Xiao Xuanjing's lips curved slightly.

Su Wanwan picked up her fishing rod again, letting it dangle over the water, and said nothing more.

"You saved me this time, what reward do you want?" Xiao Xuanjing asked.

"As long as I have hands and feet, can eat, drink, and sleep, that's enough. I wouldn't dare ask for any rewards," Su Wanwan said in a low voice.

She made herself very clear.

Just being alive is enough.

"As long as I am alive, I will ensure your safety."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

There was a moment of silence by the pond.

Xiao Xuanjing's fishing rod stirred. He lifted the rod and saw a crucian carp on the hook, splashing its tail in the sunlight.

He took the fish off the lake and threw it back in.

"I have investigated all the salt merchants in the capital, big and small, and there is no one with the surname Lu," Xiao Xuanjing said in a low voice.

Su Wanwan turned her head to look at Feng Chenjun.

"Why is Your Majesty investigating him? He is my friend, not your prisoner," Su Wanwan said with a hint of displeasure.

"A friend?" Xiao Xuanjing's lips curled slightly, his tone tinged with disdain. "Miss Su, do you know who he is?"