Helping Her Down from the Carriage

"Lingdang, look, isn't that Mrs. Tang and her son Zhang Zhaocai over there?" Su Li said, eyeing two figures on the distant path, one tall and one short.

Lingdang leaned over for a closer look and sure enough, it was Mrs. Tang and her son.

Mrs. Tang carried a shoulder pole, with a vegetable basket hanging from each end.

Zhang Zhaocai lagged a few steps behind Mrs. Tang, holding a basket filled with vegetables.

"Wow, Zhang Zhaocai usually does no work and just causes trouble. Why is he selling vegetables with his mother today?" Su Li wondered.

"Who knows," Lingdang shrugged. As a top female spy ranked in the Xiao family, she had no interest in the thoughts of a country bumpkin like Zhang Zhaocai.

Over there, Zhang Zhaocai’s heart pounded when he heard the sound of a carriage.

At this time, the only carriage heading to Qingmiao City was from Su Li’s family. And Lingdang was with Su Li!

Zhang Zhaocai turned to look at the carriage and saw Lingdang stick her head out, looking in his direction.

His mind buzzed with excitement, and he was so flustered he almost forgot how to walk. Then he quickly straightened his chest and raised his head, carrying his basket proudly, thinking, "If Lingdang sees me like this, will she think I’m better than a bumpkin?"

He was selling vegetables with his mother, not being lazy or scolding her anymore. Would Lingdang think he wasn’t so bad?

Zhang Zhaocai was full of thoughts, sneaking glances at the carriage, but saw the curtain had already been lowered. Lingdang had only glanced once and then stopped paying attention to him.

Zhang Zhaocai felt disappointed but also a little sweet inside.

Serenity Vegetarian Bistro.

The carriage arrived at the entrance of the vegetarian bistro, where the staff had already opened up early. Because it was still early, there weren’t many customers, only the busy servants preparing for another full day.

Lingdang was the first to jump down from the carriage and froze for a moment when she saw someone standing at the door.

Prince Ling today wore a red fox fur cloak, standing at the door with a bright smile. His shimmering, narrow eyes looked toward the carriage, and when he saw Lingdang get off, he smiled slightly at her.

Lingdang’s heart skipped a beat, thinking: Oh my goodness, why is this guy here again!?

Lingdang wished she could stuff Su Li into her pocket and leave quickly, but she couldn’t. Su Li had already lifted the carriage curtain and was about to get down.

"Boss Su!" Prince Ling’s eyes lit up when he saw Su Li. He immediately stepped forward, extending his arm with a bright smile toward her.

Su Li stared at his outstretched arm, wondering what he meant. Was he offering to help her down from the carriage?

Lingdang next to her was completely unsettled. Prince Ling helping someone down from a carriage?

Prince Ling, as far as she knew, had only ever helped his own father and mother—the current Emperor and Empress—down from a carriage!

Su Li stood on the carriage, glanced at Prince Ling’s arm, her eyes flickering. Her smile faded significantly, no longer the friendly, money-making smile from yesterday, but one with a hint of distance: "No need to trouble you, young lord. Let my apprentice help me down instead."

Lingdang quickly stepped forward and helped Su Li down from the carriage.

Prince Ling’s arm hung in midair for a moment, then he withdrew it, his face slightly flushed. He said, "Ah, Boss Su, I just saw the snow piled at the carriage’s foot and worried you might slip, so... please don’t take offense. I meant no disrespect."

Su Li turned to look at Prince Ling, her smile returning to the friendly, money-making one: "Young lord, you’re very thoughtful, but my husband isn’t here today. If he were, he would surely protect me from slipping on the snow."

Su Li looked into Prince Ling’s eyes, her gaze sharp and insightful, emphasizing the word "husband" clearly and heavily.