No longer forced to endure nights on a jostling carriage or a cold, unyielding carpet, Li Ce finally slept soundly and without dreams. As the morning bell tolled faintly, he awoke. Pushing open the door, a wave of chill surged toward him, and his hands instinctively sought refuge within his sleeves.
Winter had always been the season he found hardest to endure.
He turned back inside and took a sable cloak from the wardrobe, draping it over his shoulders. Spreading it out deliberately, he measured its width—satisfied that it could accommodate another person within its folds, he finally stepped outside.
In the courtyard, a servant approached, offering to serve breakfast. Li Ce waved him off.
"There's no need. I'll dine out today."
He meant to dine with Ye Jiao.
Ye Jiao typically reported to the Wuhou Bureau for roll call first, then went to stand guard at the Mingde Gate. Though not obligated to be present daily, today marked her return to duty—she would surely appear at the main gate.
Li Ce ventured to the West Market, purchasing tofu pudding from Qian County, fried dough sticks from the Deng family, and queued at Laisiweier for pig's feet. He added a few seasonal side dishes and packed everything into a heated food box, his mood lifted as he made his way to the city gate.
Ye Jiao was indeed there.
She had taken extra care with her appearance today. Her brows were finely arched, her slightly upturned, almond-shaped eyes held a dreamy allure even in focus. The fresh snow still clinging to the eaves of the gate accentuated the vivid flush on her cheeks and the rosy hue of her lips.
She was conversing with her subordinates, her breath forming little clouds in the air—each exhale somehow elegant and stirring.
Just as Li Ce lifted a foot to approach her, a swift steed galloped into view. Bai Xianyu leapt down with practiced ease, a food box in hand, heading toward Ye Jiao.
Li Ce called out to him.
Seeing Li Ce, Bai Xianyu's face lit up with delight. "My respects, Your Highness! I heard the news—thank heavens Your Highness returned in time yesterday, or our Commander might not have escaped unharmed."
His tone was warm, a touch ingratiating, quickly closing the distance between them.
Li Ce offered a faint smile. "She told you this herself?"
"Not exactly," Bai Xianyu leaned in, dropping his voice with a conspiratorial air. "I secretly opened a tavern and hired a storyteller. Word is, they're already rehearsing a new play based on Your Highness and the Commander."
Since the information hadn't come from Ye Jiao directly, Li Ce's interest waned.
He glanced at the food box in Bai's hands. "What did you bring?"
Bai Xianyu chuckled. "Didn't Your Highness instruct me before leaving? Our Commander often skips breakfast. You told me to take good care of her. So here it is—sour broth and meat stew, though I fear it might've cooled."
"Keep it for yourself," Li Ce replied, lifting his own food box. "Today, I shall deliver it."
"Of course, of course," Bai Xianyu said, stepping back politely. "Then I suppose I'll be lucky enough to share in whatever's left."
To disappear unnoticed, Bai Xianyu didn't even mount his horse—he simply melted into the crowd on Suzaku Avenue without a backward glance.
Only then did Li Ce turn around, pleased—until he realized Ye Jiao had vanished.
He hurried forward and finally spotted her seated inside a small rest hut beside the gate.
Entering with the food box, he saw a large table laid out with a veritable feast—over a dozen exquisite dishes. At a glance, he recognized delicate wontons in broth, shredded chicken with bird's nest, yam and cherry soup, braised pork slices, and pan-fried buns.
He stared at the man responsible for such a spread, momentarily suspecting he had raided the imperial kitchens. Was this really necessary? It was only breakfast, after all. How infuriating—he had gone to the trouble of driving Bai Xianyu away, only for this man to beat him to the punch.
Ye Jiao, seeing Li Ce arrive, feigned ignorance and turned to the man setting dishes. "Is that everything? I can't possibly eat all this."
With a smile, the man produced a final bowl of tofu pudding. "As it happens, I haven't eaten either. Why not share it with me?"
He noticed Li Ce standing in the doorway and greeted him with calm courtesy. "Prince of Chu, what a coincidence."
This was no coincidence. It was a clash of wills—both of them striving in the same direction.
Li Ce stared darkly at Yan Congzheng, then asked flatly, "Is the Deputy Commander not on duty today?"
"No," Yan replied smoothly. "Just like Your Highness—I happen to be quite free."
Irritation flickered in Li Ce's chest. That was the problem with promotions—they left one with far too much idle time. Still, he only said, "Even if I were busy, I'd make time to bring Jiao Jiao her breakfast."
The air in the room grew strained.
Yan Congzheng stood tall in military uniform, smiling, yet exuding an unyielding presence. Li Ce remained at the door, sable cloak fluttering in the wind, lips pressed into a thin line. He clearly had no intention of leaving.
It was Ye Jiao who broke the tension.
"You two talk. I still have things to do after I eat."
Yan promptly offered her chopsticks. Not to be outdone, Li Ce opened his own food box and began noisily setting out half a table of dishes, pushing Yan's offerings aside in the process.
Ye Jiao let him fuss, quickly finishing her meal. She dabbed her lips with a handkerchief and rose.
"You two enjoy. I'm off."
"Where are you going?" Li Ce followed closely behind.
"To conduct inspections," Ye Jiao replied with dry sarcasm. "Is this Your Highness's first time entering the city? Every merchant and traveler must be checked—crossbows, gunpowder, and the like are strictly forbidden."
She added, "I don't even know where Bai Xianyu disappeared to. Looks like I'll have to handle it myself today."
Li Ce, somewhat guilty, murmured, "Then… shall I assist the Commander with the inspections?"
He truly missed the days when she'd affectionately call him Si Si. Now, under her formal address of "Prince of Chu," he could only respond in kind.
Ye Jiao, already out the door, paused and looked at him with a touch of curiosity. "Did you forget what I said yesterday?"
She had clearly told him she wanted no part in his life—that he should stay far away. Yet here he was at dawn, practically throwing himself at her.
"I remember," Li Ce's gaze softened. "You said you weren't angry anymore."
Ye Jiao was speechless with frustration. He had remembered only half.
The city gates had opened. The Wuhou officers inspected civilians, merchants, emissaries, even foreign visitors, with orderly efficiency.
Ye Jiao could no longer delay. She turned to the side gate for livestock and said, "Then I'll trouble the Prince of Chu to inspect the cattle and horses."
Yan Congzheng stepped out and offered his help as well.
"Very well," Ye Jiao gestured to the adjacent gate. "Then I'll leave the carriage inspections to Deputy Commander Yan."
With both men dispatched, Ye Jiao finally enjoyed a moment of peace.
She made her way to the central gate, supervising the officers' inspections and occasionally glancing at Li Ce.
He was meticulous in his duties—unfastening every saddlebag, examining unfamiliar weapons, even helping herd a flock of sheep blocking the way.
When an elderly woman's sack came undone and two hens escaped, Li Ce darted after them—only to step squarely into a pile of dung.
Ye Jiao burst into laughter. When he glanced her way, she quickly composed herself—but the mirth lingered, shoulders trembling slightly.
Turning back, she saw him questioning a couple with a child. Whatever he said made the man blush with anger and raise his voice, gesturing toward the main gate.
Sensing trouble, Ye Jiao hurried over.
The woman, clutching her child, fell to her knees.
"I know you're the Commander, and I know we're supposed to pass through the main gate—but the lines were too long. The child couldn't wait…"
She looked to be in her thirties, wearing a rough blue cloth headscarf. Her clothing was thin, and the baby in her arms, no older than a year, slept soundly—his breath faint, but steady.
"Get up," Ye Jiao said gently, helping her to her feet...