Hearing footsteps, Fu Zichuan turned his head and saw a red figure slowly approaching along the lakeside, the golden hairpin swaying slightly.

In the deep winter cold, the heavy snow had dyed the high walls and tiles white, creating a desolate and bitter landscape, and she became the only speck of color amid it, as vibrant as blazing fire, with a lotus petal adorned on her forehead painted in vermillion.

Fu Zichuan was momentarily enthralled.

In that dazed moment, Wen Wan had already walked into the Waterside Pavilion and sat down.

She was always afraid of the cold, so when Dou Kou brought Fu Zichuan over, she had also arranged for a brazier and hot tea, and had hung bamboo curtains around the pavilion to block the wind.

Having met before, Wen Wan didn’t stand on ceremony with him, but directly took a seat after entering, warming her hands over the brazier, and spoke leisurely, "I heard the Young Master was looking for me?"

Fu Zichuan’s lips curved, "Since that night we parted, the Commandery Princess has given me days of lovesickness."

"Is that so?" Wen Wan looked up, her red lips curved in a smile, "If you missed me so, why didn’t you come to see me sooner?"

"The Commandery Princess has backing, how could I meet you just because I wanted to?" Fu Zichuan seemed somewhat indignant, "After making me stay overnight at the Marquis Mansion, you packed me off before dawn. You truly are cold-hearted."

Wen Wan raised an eyebrow, "Saying I’m cold-hearted because you didn’t get what you want, if you had, wouldn’t you call me a tramp?"

"With the Commandery Princess’s beauty, even if you were a tramp, many would still fight for you."

"Including you, Young Master?"

"Of course."

Wen Wan smiled, "Earlier, the maid said the Young Master came to have a heart-to-heart with me, I didn’t believe it, but now it seems true."

Fu Zichuan chuckled, "My sincerity is as clear as day."

Wen Wan nodded, poured two cups of hot tea herself, and handed one to him, "Since you said you wanted a heart-to-heart, go ahead and talk, I’ll quietly listen."

Fu Zichuan took the hot tea, his gaze lingering on Wen Wan’s slender fingers for a moment, "I have a question for you: did you choose Emperor Xuanjing for fame or fortune?"

Wen Wan chuckled lightly, "Only children make choices, I want both."

"Understood." Fu Zichuan nodded.

Wen Wan asked, "What do you understand?"

Fu Zichuan replied, "I am merely a Princely Heir, whether fame or fortune, I cannot satisfy the Commandery Princess like Emperor Chu can; if I wish to win you, it must be with a sincere heart."

...

Wen Wan thought Fu Zichuan was joking, but unexpectedly, he came to the Changning Marquis Mansion again the next day, doing nothing but looking to chat with her.

In fact, in the following days, he didn’t miss a single day, treating the Changning Marquis Mansion like his own home.

The Changning Marquis Mansion had no male master at home, and with Fu Zichuan visiting so openly, it wasn’t long before the neighbors noticed, rumors slowly spreading, saying that Wen Wan set aside Emperor Xuanjing for a new lover, even being too lazy to go to the palace anymore, with the new lover meeting her at the mansion every few days... oh no, every day.

Zhao Xunyin was very upset at what she heard, tried to suppress it for a few days, but rumors, once spread, are hard to contain, each retelling bringing new versions, leaving her no choice but to talk to Wen Wan, asking her if possible to stop Fu Zichuan from visiting the mansion.

Wen Wan just laughed, "Mother, he said he’s willing to marry me with a grand sedan as the Heir Consort."

Zhao Xunyin was speechless, "You believe that?"

"I do!" Wen Wan said, "I not only believe it, but I also agreed."