Ryan Bennett had a bit to drink and was probably a little tipsy, so he answered offhandedly:

“These are all tests of physical strength. The imperial son-in-law can’t hold any important office; his only duty is to serve the princess. As the saying goes: ‘There are only oxen worked to death, never fields... ruined... ru... ruined...’”

At this point, Ryan Bennett suddenly realized he was getting carried away. He picked up his wine bowl and took a small sip to cover his embarrassment.

Emily Foster, who ran a tavern in the bustling Linhe District, had naturally heard this saying before and understood its meaning.

This kid really knows a lot...

She furrowed her brows slightly, her eyes showing both surprise and amusement. She turned around, facing away from Ryan Bennett as she fiddled with the stove, and asked knowingly:

“What does that mean?”

“Uh, nothing much. Just that the imperial son-in-law needs to be in good health, so the princess won’t become a widow too soon.”

Ryan Bennett explained casually, not daring to ramble further, and turned to gaze out at the rain beyond the window.

After this little episode, Emily Foster didn’t say anything more either. She stared at the stove in a daze, lost in her own thoughts.

Night had deepened, and the two of them fell silent again, the tavern returning to its quiet state.

At first, Emily Foster was leaning against the wine table by the stove. Gradually, her head began to nod, and eventually she lay down on the table.

Ryan Bennett wasn’t some sleepless sage either. Sitting by the window, thinking about going to Qihuang Valley tomorrow, he didn’t know when drowsiness overtook him, and he too lay down on the wine table.

In a daze, it felt like he had just closed his eyes when the sounds of people outside began to drift in.

“Steamed buns...”

“Coal for sale...”

“Hey? Are you done yet...”

Ryan Bennett woke with a start and looked toward the window, only to realize that dawn was already breaking in the east.

Turning his head, he saw Emily Foster still fast asleep on the small table by the stove.

Perhaps feeling uncomfortable, Emily Foster had shifted positions in her sleep, turning her back to him. From behind, her narrow shoulders and rounded hips, with her hips wider than her shoulders, made for quite an evocative scene.

“……”

As the saying goes, ‘A gentleman does not take advantage in the dark,’ so Ryan Bennett quickly averted his unintentional gaze.

He didn’t wake Emily Foster. He placed the silver notes under the wine bowl, stood up quietly, closed the window, and then gently shut the main door from the outside.

It was now February. The rain had stopped, and though it wasn’t fully bright yet, there were already a few pedestrians on the small street.

After closing the tavern door, Ryan Bennett straightened his clothes a bit, turned, and prepared to leave.

But he had only taken a few steps when he suddenly noticed a middle-aged woman standing outside a steamed bun shop at the end of the street, holding a steaming basket and staring at him intently.

Sensing something, Ryan Bennett looked up, and the woman turned and went back into the shop.

Ryan Bennett looked puzzled, but since he was quite good-looking, it wasn’t unusual for people to stare at him on the street. He didn’t think much of it and quickly left Linhe District, heading for Qihuang Valley, thirty li outside the capital.

Chapter 9: The Stingy Bun

After the rain, the sky cleared and the wind rustled the willows. The grand and varied Danhuang City gleamed brilliantly under the spring sun.

After morning court, officials in robes of various colors filed out of the Zhengyuan Hall.

The Vice Minister of Rites, Ethan Bennett, stood alone at the foot of the white stone steps outside the hall, head bowed, blankly watching a colorful butterfly fluttering around the purple-robed officials.

Colleagues passing by would glance at him—some with teasing looks of mischievous friends, some with the sympathy of true companions. But most officials, like Ethan Bennett, were bewildered, not knowing why he was standing there, or rather, why he was being punished by Her Highness the Princess.

Early this morning, Ethan Bennett had entered the palace for court as usual, before dawn.

Confident in his nephew, Ethan Bennett even hummed a little tune on the way, already pondering what gift to prepare for his future niece-in-law.

Upon arriving at the imperial city, Ethan Bennett entered Zhengyuan Hall with the other officials, only to find that Princess Longli had not appeared in the hall as usual.

Princess Longli had been presiding over state affairs behind the curtain for nearly four years. Her governing ability was hard to judge, but she was certainly diligent. Normally, she was the first to arrive at Zhengyuan Hall, waiting for the officials and the young emperor.

But today was different. Even the young emperor, who was usually the last to arrive, was already sitting properly on the dragon throne, while the seat behind the beaded curtain remained empty.

The entire court, officials and emperor alike, were left in an awkward silence.

If they started the court session, they feared Princess Longli would think the officials were being disrespectful—no one dared to take the lead.

But if they kept waiting, with the emperor already seated on the throne, wouldn’t that be a breach of protocol?

Fortunately, Princess Longli hadn’t forgotten about the morning court. Though she was a bit late, she eventually arrived.

Ethan Bennett had breathed a sigh of relief at the time, but to his utter shock, as soon as Princess Longli entered Zhengyuan Hall—before the eunuch could even announce the start of court—she sternly declared:

“A son’s misdeeds are the father’s fault. Ethan Bennett, go stand outside for me.”

And so, Vice Minister Ethan Bennett was left standing outside the hall, right up to now.

Ethan Bennett had been an official for many years, known for his tact and smooth handling of affairs. He was considered a gentleman in court, held a respectable position, had a clean background, and wasn’t entangled in any complicated factions—he was regarded as one of the princess’s closer allies among the officials.

Princess Longli’s sudden move left the entire court speculating about her true intentions.

Of course, no one could figure out what it all meant.