Chapter 11: A Meeting at Dusk

During the meal, the two observed the good etiquette of “no talking while eating, no speaking in bed.” Luo Yunyao’s impression of the noble gentleman sitting opposite her deepened. His dining manners were nothing short of an art—every movement graceful and pleasing to the eye. Yet, this elegance also weighed heavily on Luo Yunyao, making the meal less enjoyable despite its deliciousness.

She stopped eating when she was about seventy percent full. Gracefully, she took out an embroidered handkerchief to dab her mouth, contemplating how best to bid farewell with proper courtesy.

At that moment, someone thoughtfully handed her a glass of water. Without much thought, Luo Yunyao thanked them and took a sip—only to immediately realize something was amiss. She flicked out her tongue and tasted it.

Sure enough, it was wine, and fairly strong. This meant the cold and aloof nobleman had a surprisingly good tolerance for alcohol, which came as a surprise to Luo Yunyao.

Looking up, she saw Xiao Limo propping his chin with his hand, watching her intently.

Feigning confusion, Luo Yunyao gazed back at Xiao Limo with a befuddled expression.

The Crown Prince spoke slowly, “According to Minister Luo, wine should come after the meal. Now that the wine is fine, the company pleasant, and the scenery beautiful, how can we not indulge ourselves in a good drink?” He lifted his gaze to admire the view; his sharply defined profile gleamed like jade under the moonlight. Xiao Limo continued gently, “Pavilions and forest scenes, clear lakes and fragrant willows. The moon rises above the willows—the moon itself like a fine brew.”

These words were exactly those Luo Yunyao had just used to coax him earlier.

She admired Xiao Limo’s memory.

“That might not be proper. I must return to my residence. There are still official matters awaiting me, as I need to meet Your Highness,” she replied.

“The emperor will pay respects to our ancestor tomorrow. Minister Luo need not attend court and there’s no rush for those affairs. As for returning home, since I invited you here, naturally I will see you safely back,” Xiao Limo said, casting a sidelong glance that was cool and deliberate. “Or perhaps, Minister Luo wishes to stay overnight at the Crown Prince’s mansion? I can have someone prepare a room at once.”

Reasoning was futile. How could this fresh graduate compare to the clever Crown Prince? Luo Yunyao looked at Xiao Limo with a pitiful expression, trying to move him: “Your Highness, please don’t trouble me.”

“Perhaps Minister Luo does not wish to grant me this honor,” he replied.

He was both firm and unyielding.

Moreover, Xiao Limo had already used the honorific “this palace” for himself and the word “grant” when referring to her acceptance. If she refused the drink now, it would truly be ungrateful.

“Your Highness, you flatter me. I am not well-versed in wine nor in drinking. If I offend in any way, I beg your forgiveness.” She raised her wrist and downed the glass, imitating the custom of turning the cup upside down to prove it was empty.

Xiao Limo’s earlier words were instinctive—an air of authority formed in the palace and court to deal with disobedience. He had no intention of deliberately troubling this young man he liked but did not yet know how to handle. In truth, Xiao Limo disliked seeing Luo Yunyao defy him. He preferred the delicate, helpless, and dependent side of him—obedient and compliant. This was both an emperor’s desire to control his subjects and a man’s possessiveness over his partner.

Seeing Luo Yunyao frown repeatedly while drinking, Xiao Limo already regretted his earlier remarks. Yet recalling her explanations, his curiosity was piqued.

Just how little could this young man drink? How poor was his tolerance? Xiao Limo told himself he sought to understand Luo Yunyao to protect him. In official circles, drinking was inevitable, but knowing Luo Yunyao’s limits would allow him to shield him from excess.

Xiao Limo refilled his glass. “As they say, today we celebrate Minister Luo’s rise. Here’s to your steady ascent, smooth career, and soaring success.”

Luo Yunyao no longer hesitated, filling her own glass and drinking it down directly. “I hope to always receive the Crown Prince’s auspicious words.”

After the first cup, Luo Yunyao found drinking less daunting than she had imagined. Since it was unavoidable, she might as well accept it with the boldness of a man. Perhaps her tolerance wasn’t so poor after all.

At that time, Luo Yunyao had not yet grasped why intoxicated people often claimed they were not drunk. When you think you’re not drunk, you’re nearly there.

As Xiao Limo poured himself another glass, with the words of his toast already rehearsed in his mind, Luo Yunyao suddenly bumped into him.

“Minister Luo?”

The young man’s earlier claim of poor alcohol tolerance was no modesty. Xiao Limo found it astonishingly low—most people could handle three cups before faltering, but Luo Yunyao couldn’t even manage two. From now on, in official settings, he’d have to insist on tea instead of wine. With a sigh, Xiao Limo set down the wine jug and gently draped his arm over Luo Yunyao’s shoulders, worried he might stumble drunk and hurt himself.

“Minister Luo, you’re drunk,” he said, secretly curious about how Luo Yunyao would behave in such a state.

Of course, Luo Yunyao would never give him a normal response. She swayed her head and insisted, “Nonsense, I’m not drunk at all. Don’t believe me? I’ll sing for you!”

“What song?” Luo Yunyao’s antics only deepened Xiao Limo’s interest, drawing him closer as he gently led her.

Luo Yunyao laughed three times and touched Xiao Limo’s nose, teasing, “You dare listen to me sing?” Those familiar with Luo Yunyao knew that while others sang for money, he sang for his life.

But in this world, and certainly not to Xiao Limo, this was unknown. “Why wouldn’t you want me to listen?” he asked.

That fool. Luo Yunyao thought, then kindly explained, “My father said if I sing, he’d definitely lock me up.”

“Locked up?”

Luo Yunyao’s father in her previous life had been head of the criminal investigation department. To be precise, Luo Yunyao was someone who had crossed over from another world.

In this world, where countless transmigration stories ran rampant, she had few special feelings or surprises. Since arriving, she remained calm.

What has come, let it be.

Though she felt nostalgic for her old world, she was mostly disappointed.

Her father was a principled man, but as an incorruptible force in a corrupt court, he was naturally not tolerated.

Her father was imprisoned and died unjustly. Her mother, unable to bear the blow, passed away soon after.

Luo Yunyao’s official career was a continuation of her father’s legacy. She vowed to be a good official like him.

Xiao Limo noticed the long pause when the boy mentioned “father.” He made a mental note to have someone inquire about the boy’s background the next day.

“Minister Luo?”

That gentle voice whispered softly in Luo Yunyao’s ear, like her father’s warm call in childhood.

Luo Yunyao was deeply intoxicated. Since the incident, she had been quiet to the point of calmness. After holding herself together for so long, now drunk, she let go completely.

Father dead, mother lost, life shattered.

Reborn, country fallen, family destroyed. The nation reduced to a vassal state. Alone in a foreign land, seeking to restore her kingdom.

She slid down Xiao Limo’s shoulder and collapsed into his arms, bursting into tears.

Xiao Limo was caught off guard. He reached out to support her, but Luo Yunyao kept trying to bury himself deeper into his embrace.

His hands met softness.

Xiao Limo sensed something amiss and steadied Luo Yunyao. As his hand slipped, her loose hair ribbon came undone.

The night was as dark as ink, silencing the lake and pond. Slender willow leaves swayed gently, as if afraid to disturb the tender moment.

Beneath the gentle moonlight, her features were like a painting. Three thousand strands of black hair entwined around Xiao Limo’s fingers.

His hand rested on Luo Yunyao’s chest, which should have been firm but was soft. He quietly watched her face.

Everything was unspoken.

“You,” he sighed softly. Lowering his head, he kissed her brow.

The questions troubling Xiao Limo moments before vanished. His female prodigy was a gift from heaven.

All was well.

Xiao Limo’s heart was filled with contentment. Once the initial excitement faded, he seriously considered Luo Yunyao’s cross-dressing to claim the top scholar title and deceive the throne.

Risking life to achieve the highest academic honor and secure an official position—what was Luo Yunyao’s true purpose? Was it as she appeared—to plead the people’s cause?

If not, then this person in front of him was a hidden danger: unknown origins, unclear motives, and ill intentions.

According to years of royal education, such a person could not be allowed to remain.

Yet, Xiao Limo could not bring himself to act. He did not believe someone who could speak of the mutual dependence of ruler and people could do harm.

How to deal with her?

Further investigation into Luo Yunyao’s background was needed before deciding.

Instinctively, Xiao Limo wanted to protect her. In his mind, he would not reveal Luo Yunyao’s cross-dressing secret to his father—or anyone else.

Luo Yunyao was his, regardless of gender.

Xiao Limo gently nestled Luo Yunyao’s head back into his embrace, patting her softly.

Luo Yunyao, exhausted from crying, soon fell asleep in his arms, still sniffling occasionally.

Moonlight danced softly, the two sat side by side, seemingly at peace.

“How is it?” Qin Jinghao set down his brush, leaning back in his chair as he watched the black-clad messenger who had just returned from inquiry.

The messenger knelt and reported, “General, Lord Luo has not yet returned to his residence.”

After speaking, the messenger looked up in puzzlement, waiting for Qin Jinghao’s response.

The general’s expression remained calm, his gaze fixed on the characters he had written, as if scrutinizing them for flaws.

Suddenly, Qin Jinghao raised his eyelids and met the messenger’s eyes. The messenger quickly bowed, sensing the general’s displeasure.

“Dismiss. No need for further surveillance today,” came the order, voice as calm and steady as ever.

The messenger reasoned that since the general had assigned him to follow Lord Luo, it meant Lord Luo was important to the general. Now, with the task withdrawn, though curious, he obeyed and withdrew.

Not returning home so late likely meant he would not return at all. Qin Jinghao’s gaze returned to his writing—a character meaning “willow,” soft yet upright and vigorous.

Qin Jinghao knew Lord Luo had declined the previous Prime Minister Lu’s proposal. While skillful, it was ambiguous and unclear in stance. This only gave Xiao Limo another chance.