I traveled back to ancient times, but I was able to lie down and relax.

The top scholar has an ordinary name, Li Zhe, and he is currently in his forties.

"Lord Xiao Liu, I am a few years older than you, so I will take the liberty of calling you Xiao Liu."

"Lord Li, you're too kind. I should be calling you senior." Liu Yanxi was very polite.

After several rounds of drinks, Li Zhe patted Liu Yanxi's shoulder in a seemingly affectionate manner:

"Alas, to be honest, like you, Xiao Liu, I also come from a poor background. All my knowledge comes from my own hard work. Back then, I was young and arrogant, and many people said that my writing style was too sharp and not suitable for the imperial examinations. But I didn't believe it. I always felt that I didn't need to cater to anyone, and that someone would have the discerning eye to recognize my talent."

At this point, Li Zhe gave a bitter smile: "You've seen the result. After wasting so many years, I have no choice but to admit defeat. I'm already forty years old. How many more years do I have left? You are much younger than me, but if you don't choose a wise ruler soon, who knows how many more years you'll be stuck in this position as an editor in the Hanlin Academy?"

“Prince Li has always been known for his respect for the virtuous and his appreciation for talent. He is a wise choice for a ruler. Lord Xiao Liu should consider this carefully.”

Liu Yanxi attended many such dinner parties, and sometimes even the Prince of Li would "coincidentally" be there.

Prince Li lived up to his title even when he was away from home, displaying the demeanor of a humble gentleman, exactly the type that scholars admired.

After several attempts, Liu Yanxi reluctantly agreed and joined Prince Li's camp.

Liu Yanxi was on this side, engaging in feigned politeness with the Prince of Li's men.

Meanwhile, Liu Nanjia and Song Chen's relationship was also progressing smoothly, and the young couple took this opportunity to date openly.

"The pastries here are delicious. When I was little, my mother was afraid that I would get bad teeth from eating them, so she would only buy them for me when I behaved well. But later, my older brother would often secretly bring them to me."

Song Chen pointed to a shop by the roadside and told Liu Nanjia about his childhood.

"Let's buy some, so I can try some too." Liu Nanjia pulled the person into the store.

After buying it, Song Chen took a bite, but his brows furrowed:

"What's wrong? It doesn't taste as good as before? Did they change the manager? No wonder business isn't as good as it used to be. I remember there was always a queue to buy it back then."

Liu Nanjia also took a bite, and it was actually not bad, but for her taste, it was a little too sweet.

"It's not necessarily that the food has gotten worse; it could be that your tastes have changed. Plus, you might have memories that make you feel that everything from the past was wonderful."

"Possibly." Song Chen nodded. "Right now, I just feel that it doesn't taste as good as what you used to make casually."

"Really?" Liu Nanjia was skeptical, taking it as a compliment.

But Song Chen's expression was too serious. "Of course it's true."

"Okay, I believe it."

Afterwards, the two of them wandered around the streets and visited many of the shops that Song Chen had visited when he was a child.

"It's still here. My older brother used to bring me here often."

"This restaurant... has actually been converted into a tailor shop."

"The owner of this bookstore was a very nice person. I wonder if he's still there. If I see him, it's him!"

Before they knew it, they had walked through the bustling main street and arrived at a secluded courtyard.

“We’ve reached the end, let’s head back.” Liu Nanjia was about to turn and leave when she saw Song Chen standing motionless, seemingly frozen in place.

Sensing something was wrong, Liu Nanjia looked towards the gate of the house again.

Beside the wide gate stood two majestic stone lions.

It looked neglected, with weeds growing around it and covered in dust and moss.

The only living creature was a spider spinning its web in the corner.

Thinking of a possibility, Liu Nanjia quickly walked to Song Chen's side and took Song Chen's slightly trembling hand.

Feeling the texture in his hand, Song Chen came back to his senses: "That's right, this used to be called the Marquis of Anping's residence. No one took care of it, and it ended up like this."

Liu Nanjia leaned closer to Song Chen and whispered, "You came here today because you wanted to take a look?"

"No, I just found myself here without realizing it. I had completely forgotten that I used to take this road home all the time."

Seven years have passed, and many shops on the street are still there, but the people here will never come back.

Liu Nanjia squeezed Song Chen's hand tighter, hoping to offer him some comfort.

But the next moment she felt her hand being gripped again. Looking up, she saw that Song Chen's expression was indifferent, without the pain she had expected.

Seeing Liu Nanjia looking over, he even had a moment to curl the corners of his mouth into a smile:

"It's alright, let's go, it's not convenient for us to stay here any longer."

Although Song Chen appeared calm, Liu Nanjia was still a little worried and pulled him back home: "Are you really alright?"

"I could also have something to do. How about you cook something for me? It's been a long time since I've had your cooking."

Liu Nanjia slapped Song Chen's hand away. He can still make demands, so it seems he's really alright.

However, that evening Liu Nanjia still fulfilled Song Chen's wish and personally cooked dinner.

After he finished all the food, they sent him back to his own place.

Did Song Chen really not feel anything at all?

of course not.

A few years earlier, he probably would have collapsed on the spot, but now that he has hope of clearing his family's name, he naturally won't wallow in grief anymore.

'Father, Mother, please bless us so we can succeed.'