It was a sunny afternoon, and the market buzzed with life. Li Wei stood behind her stall, carefully arranging fresh steamed buns and herbal snacks. After recent events, her stall felt like a treasure. Each customer was precious, each coin earned a small victory for her struggling family.
Xiao Mei waved from her fruit stand, calling cheerfully, "Li Wei, your buns smell amazing today! Save me two!"
Li Wei smiled, nodding warmly. "Of course, Mei!"
As the busy crowd moved along, a young man dressed in servant's clothes stopped near Li Wei's stall. He glanced curiously at the steaming buns, inhaled deeply, then finally approached her.
"Excuse me," he said politely. "These buns smell very good. Can you recommend one?"
Li Wei smiled warmly, pointing at the freshest batch. "Try these. They're filled with herbs and vegetables. Delicious and good for health."
The servant purchased several buns and left, giving her a bright smile. Li Wei quickly forgot him among her busy afternoon rush.
Yet the next day, the same servant returned. He smiled shyly, "Those buns yesterday were wonderful. May I have a few more?"
"Of course," Li Wei replied happily. "Glad you enjoyed them."
He soon became a familiar face, regularly appearing to buy buns and chatting briefly about trivial market news. Li Wei never learned his name, but he was polite and friendly, and she appreciated his business.
One day, the servant arrived again, this time looking slightly nervous.
"My master waits outside," he whispered excitedly, glancing back at the elegant carriage parked nearby. "He heard how much I enjoy your buns. Today he wishes to try them himself."
Li Wei blinked, slightly surprised. A nobleman interested in her humble stall? She nodded quickly. "Of course. I'd be honored."
Moments later, the servant guided a finely dressed young man from the carriage toward Li Wei's stall. He moved gracefully, his robes embroidered with golden threads, clearly indicating noble status. He looked around briefly, then met Li Wei's curious eyes.
"Are you the one who makes the famous buns?" he asked, his voice gentle and charming.
Li Wei bowed politely, feeling suddenly shy. "Yes, my lord. I make them myself."
He smiled warmly, genuinely interested. "May I try one?"
"Certainly," Li Wei replied softly, handing him a fresh bun. She carefully avoided meeting his eyes, focusing instead on her busy hands.
He took a bite, his expression changing immediately to surprise and pleasure. "Delicious," he declared enthusiastically. "I understand why my servant kept coming back."
Li Wei blushed modestly. "Thank you, my lord. I'm glad you like them."
"Please, call me Shen," he said softly, eyes twinkling with amusement. "My father is Minister Gao. But you don't need to worry about titles. Your cooking deserves far more praise than mine."
Li Wei bowed again, slightly flustered. "You're too kind."
After Shen left, the servant lingered behind. Leaning closer, he whispered excitedly, "Young master Shen rarely praises anyone. You made quite an impression!"
Li Wei smiled nervously, watching the carriage disappear down the street. She felt pleased but strangely unsettled. It was the first time a noble had complimented her cooking. She shook away her thoughts, returning to her customers, though a quiet unease lingered.
Meanwhile, at General Yan Chen's residence, Feng stood respectfully before the masked general, carefully reporting his latest observations.
"The young lady is doing much better, General," Feng explained quietly. "She received your gift anonymously. Her stall is thriving again."
Yan Chen nodded slowly, showing no emotion. "Good. Anything else?"
Feng hesitated briefly, then added carefully, "Actually… there is something unusual. Recently, a servant from Minister Gao's family started frequenting her stall. Today, Minister Gao's youngest son, Shen, visited personally."
Yan Chen lifted his gaze sharply, eyes narrowed slightly behind his mask. "Minister Gao's son?"
Feng nodded respectfully. "Yes. He openly complimented Li Wei's cooking and showed obvious interest. Shall I continue observing?"
Yan Chen paused, a strange tension tightening in his chest. He quickly dismissed it, forcing himself to remain calm. "Continue your watch, Feng. But be discreet."
Feng bowed low, leaving Yan Chen alone in thoughtful silence.
The general rose from his chair, walking slowly to the window. Why should he care who visited her stall? He had helped her purely from kindness, nothing more. Yet the thought of another man—especially a charming young nobleman—taking interest in Li Wei troubled him deeply.
Days passed quickly, and Shen returned several more times. Each visit became more frequent, always buying buns and lingering longer to chat pleasantly with Li Wei.
One afternoon, Shen finally asked openly, "Li Wei, would you be willing to provide your buns for my family's banquet? It would help spread your reputation."
Li Wei hesitated, her hands nervously twisting a small cloth. "I'm honored, my lord… I mean, Shen. But I'm unsure if my humble cooking suits such an important occasion."
Shen smiled reassuringly. "Trust me, your food will charm everyone. Let me help you. It's a small favor for someone who works so hard."
Li Wei felt conflicted. She knew Shen genuinely wanted to help, and such patronage would greatly benefit her family. Yet something about his kindness made her uncomfortable, as if accepting it would lead somewhere she didn't want to go.
Still, thinking of her family's difficult situation, Li Wei nodded gently. "Then I'll gladly do my best."
Shen left delighted, promising to send details soon.
Xiao Mei approached as Shen departed, grinning mischievously. "Oh, Li Wei! Did a handsome noble just invite you personally?"
Li Wei blushed deeply, avoiding Xiao Mei's teasing gaze. "It's just business. Don't tease me, Mei."
"Business?" Xiao Mei giggled. "It looks more like he's interested in more than just buns!"
Li Wei sighed, shaking her head shyly. "Stop it. I have enough worries without your wild imagination."
Yet deep inside, Li Wei sensed Xiao Mei might be right. Shen's gentle manner clearly implied more than friendship. What did that mean for her? And why did it bother her so much?
Far away, in his study lit by lanterns, Yan Chen quietly reviewed the military plans again. Yet tonight, he struggled to focus. Thoughts of Li Wei and Shen irritated him, pulling his attention away.
He stood abruptly, pacing restlessly. Why couldn't he dismiss her from his mind? Why should he care who she befriended?
Frustrated, he called Feng back urgently. "Prepare my horse. I wish to ride."
"Now, General?" Feng asked, surprised.
"Yes," Yan Chen replied sharply, eyes intense. "I need fresh air."
Minutes later, Yan Chen rode swiftly through the empty streets under the night sky. The cool wind stung his face, clearing his mind.
Without thinking, he found himself nearing Li Wei's modest home. Slowing his horse, he gazed silently at her simple courtyard. A soft light flickered gently behind the window, warm and welcoming.
He sighed deeply. His heart felt unusually heavy.
"I should stay away," he whispered to himself bitterly. "She deserves happiness. What right do I have to interfere?"
Yet deep inside, he already knew. Something about Li Wei drew him irresistibly. He couldn't deny it, despite every logical reason.
Turning his horse sharply, Yan Chen rode away swiftly into darkness, determined to bury these troubling thoughts. Yet they clung stubbornly, refusing to fade.
Inside her room, Li Wei sat quietly by candlelight, unable to sleep. Thoughts of Shen's kindness and gentle attention mixed uneasily with memories of another presence, a mysterious figure hidden behind a mask.
She sighed softly, confused by her feelings. Shen offered her family security and respect. Yet somewhere deep in her heart, she wished the gentle stranger from her past—the masked general who had quietly helped her—would return once more.
But she quickly pushed that thought aside. Reality rarely granted simple wishes, especially for someone like her.
Slowly, Li Wei lay down, drifting into troubled sleep, unaware of the masked figure far away riding alone through the dark, tormented by similar restless thoughts.
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