Chapter 446: Facts Speak Louder Than Words

Hiding behind Zhu Ping’an, Li Shu spoke in a voice as tiny and delicate as a mosquito’s, barely audible yet firm enough to reach him.

Out of both sentiment and reason, Zhu Ping’an couldn’t refuse. Besides, they were already in too deep—this was a ride he couldn’t just step off at will. So, without another thought, he simply nodded in agreement.

“I think you should leave willingly. You’re not worthy,” the handsome scholar said, approaching Zhu Ping’an with an air of tragic benevolence, as if pitying both him and the world.

“Why?” Zhu Ping’an asked, calm and composed.

“Why?” The scholar’s mocking smile deepened. He stared at Zhu Ping’an, his tone dripping with condescension. “What merit, what talent do you possess to deserve such a beauty? Moreover, your looks are lacking.”

As soon as the scholar spoke, those nearby began to jeer and snicker in unison. They were the kind who thrived on chaos, always ready to mock but never taking any real risk—after all, their words harmed no one.

“Big equipment, good performance,”

Zhu Ping’an smiled faintly, delivering the remark with a playful, teasing tone that left everyone around utterly bewildered. Then, without another word, he took Li Shu’s hand and walked away naturally. He had no intention of getting entangled in their petty insults; words were pointless, and actions spoke louder than any argument.

“Big equipment, good performance?” The onlookers exchanged confused glances. The four words made no sense to them at all. Yet the sight of Zhu Ping’an holding Li Shu’s hand was unmistakably clear to everyone present.

Li Shu, flushed with shyness, let out a coquettish, playful rebuke: “Oh, you naughty man…” She lowered her head, following Zhu Ping’an obediently.

At times like this, words were unnecessary—actions said everything. They were holding hands, and the way she had just addressed him as “official” was visible to all. Watching Zhu Ping’an take her away with such composure, no one dared intervene. After all, they were either sons of noble families or of high-ranking officials; they could not stoop to crude behavior in public.

The handsome scholar and his companions seethed with frustration, helpless to stop them. They had hoped to outshine Zhu Ping’an in their realm of letters and intellect, but he hadn’t even given them a chance.

After all, this was a married couple now—what could an outsider possibly say?

Zhu Ping’an led Li Shu and the little maid, Baozi, through the crowd toward a quieter place. Once out of sight, he finally released the warmth of her hand.

“You’re such a scoundrel, always taking advantage of people…”

Li Shu feigned annoyance, shaking her small hand as if to scold him, though her voice betrayed amusement.

“It was a matter of expedience,” Zhu Ping’an replied casually.

“Expedience? You could have written a poem or used some clever trick to make him back down, but no—you just wanted to take advantage of me! You rogue!” Li Shu rolled her eyes, feigning exasperation.

“And… what did you mean by ‘big equipment, good performance’ just now?” Her curiosity could not be contained.

“Great potential, good life,” Zhu Ping’an said with a shrug. ‘Big equipment, good performance.’ Haha, could I really tell her the true meaning?

“You really don’t seem like you’re telling the full truth,” Li Shu said, fixing him with a skeptical stare for several seconds.

Meanwhile, little maid Baozi dutifully played the role of the obedient follower, carrying a small flower basket and keeping a respectful distance.

They hadn’t gone far when someone from the Linhuai Marquis’ estate appeared, announcing that it was time for the boys to begin the hunt.

No wonder the surrounding crowd had thinned so much—it turned out most had gone hunting.

The main event of the spring outing was, of course, hunting. Organized by noble families, it was naturally replete with archery and horseback riding. The boys hunted, while the girls watched—a simple, yet vivid snapshot of a traditional spring excursion.

According to the entrance order from the earlier horse race, Zhu Ping’an and Zhou Pangzi were slated to enter last. By the time Zhu Ping’an and Li Shu arrived, many had already ventured into the hunting grounds. The area was a stretch of forested hills, stocked in advance with rabbits and other game, ready for the riders.

Everyone, including Zhou Pangzi, had entered. Zhu Ping’an, however, strolled slowly, leading his horse but showing no intention of joining the hunt. It wasn’t mandatory—one could enter if one wished, or abstain if one preferred. Zhu Ping’an had no real interest in hunting, and he knew his limitations. Archery might be manageable, but his aim would be off by miles. Better not to waste effort at all.

Li Shu and little maid Baozi, on the other hand, had their sights on a valley brimming with blooming flowers, glimpsed from afar while collecting flowers earlier. Seeing that Zhu Ping’an would not join the hunt, Li Shu insisted he act as their guardian, accompanying them to pick flowers.

Earlier, the girls had been pestered by some boys. With Zhu Ping’an present, such trouble would have been avoided.

The valley was not close, and Li Shu, accustomed to being pampered, refused to walk. Reluctantly, Zhu Ping’an assumed the role of coachman, driving the carriage he had used to bring Li Shu to the valley. Along the way, he also led Zhou Pangzi’s borrowed horse, allowing it to graze on the tender grass of the valley—a small consolation for the animal’s journey.

Li Shu had packed plenty in the carriage: candied fruit, dried delicacies, and fine wine. She never allowed herself to go wanting.

After roughly the time it took to burn an incense stick, they arrived at the valley. The scenery was enchanting—lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and scattered wildflowers that painted the landscape in a riot of colors. Sunlight caressed the meadow, making the grass even greener, the flowers even redder, giving the valley an almost otherworldly aura.

The U-shaped valley was divided into two areas: one lush with water and grass, the other ablaze with bright blossoms.

Zhu Ping’an tied his horse in the verdant area, letting it graze, then guided the carriage to the floral side so Li Shu and Baozi could collect flowers.

The girls leapt from the carriage, immediately drawn to the vibrant blooms. For them, resistance to flowers was impossible, and they became completely absorbed in gathering the blossoms.

When they finally moved on to another section of the valley, Zhu Ping’an realized the horse he had left tied in the grassy area was gone.

He inspected the tree where he had secured it and observed the tracks. There were no signs of a struggle—no deep scrapes or anything to suggest the horse had broken free on its own. The rope had been tied using a technique taught by his father in his youth; a horse could not untie it alone. Only a person could have.

Since the horse was borrowed from Zhou Pangzi, losing it would have been disastrous. As soon as he discovered its disappearance, Zhu Ping’an immediately began searching the valley for it.