"..."
Princess Taiping's slender fingers paused slightly as she played with the Jade Ruyi.
She sat upright, her gaze fixed on Lu Changfeng. His expression remained composed as he raised his eyes to meet hers.
"You have powerful enemies outside, Minister Lu. The Prince of Liang's Residence and the Great Vehicle Sect watch you like tigers eyeing their prey, yet in these troubled times, you wish to leave to gather herbs..." Her voice was gentle, but carried an inscrutable undertone. "Has someone in my residence slighted you or made you feel wronged? Or... have I done something amiss that has made you... wish to leave?"
"Your Highness worries needlessly."
Lu Changfeng bowed slightly. "Everyone in the residence has treated me generously, and Your Highness has shown me exceptional favor. I am deeply grateful."
At his words, Princess Taiping's tense expression eased a little, and a smile returned to her lips. "Then why abandon what is close at hand to seek it far away? This Palace has already appointed you steward of the Hundred Herbs Garden. Its rare medicinal herbs are yours to use freely. If those are insufficient, the treasury also holds heavenly materials and earthly treasures offered from across the land... why would you say such a thing, Minister Lu?"
Lu Changfeng fell silent for a moment. "No reward without merit. Your Highness's generosity leaves me ashamed to accept it."
The atmosphere in the hall instantly froze.
The smile slowly faded from Princess Taiping's face.
At last, she understood. It was not that Lu Changfeng could not stay, but that he was tactfully rejecting her attempts to draw closer.
A flicker of hurt crossed her bright, phoenix-shaped eyes, but pride swiftly replaced it.
She slowly leaned back against the cushioned couch, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the patterns on the