Even the horses could not take it anymore.

After traveling for so many days in a row, both the humans and the horses were already exhausted.

Long Yang and Lu Liangwei decided to stay the night at the West Water Frontier so that everyone could get some much-needed rest.

Long Yang did not want to startle the frontier town’s soldiers, so he took Lu Liangwei to an inn as discreetly as he could.

When they arrived at the West Water Frontier, it was already dusk.

The West Water Frontier bordered the Yan Kingdom. Due to the trade relationship between the two kingdoms, many merchants would gather at the West Water Frontier, hence the teeming streets.

After having dinner and resting for a while, Lu Liangwei dragged Long Yang out of the inn to explore the town with her.

Lu Liangwei did not wear any hair ornaments for the convenience of traveling. Her long hair was put up in a bun, and she wore a simple dress, which made her appear even younger than she was.

Moreover, because of the height difference between her and Long Yang, no one would imagine that they were husband and wife.

It was not because Long Yang looked old; in fact, he still looked young even though he was already thirty-one. However, his strapping figure and intimidating aura only further highlighted Lu Liangwei’s youthfulness.

They strolled along the streets hand in hand, just like any ordinary couple.

“Would you like to buy a jade ornament, little girl?” Seeing them walk over, the vendor of a jade ornament stall seized the opportunity to solicit business.

Lu Liangwei smiled and waved a hand to reject him.

She was already a mother of three, not some little girl.

Instead of feeling disheartened, the vendor—a young fellow—turned to Long Yang eagerly. “Sir, you can’t let your beautiful sister go about without a single hair ornament, can you? Won’t you buy her a jade hair stick?”

Lu Liangwei was taken aback by his words, and sure enough, she saw the man’s face darken right away.

Oblivious, the vendor continued to promote his items enthusiastically.

“This was made by the best craftsman…”

“She’s my wife,” Long Yang suddenly growled at the vendor.

Lu Liangwei could tell that he was gritting his teeth.

Clearly, the Emperor was furious!

The vendor was stunned for a moment. Scratching his head, he looked at Long Yang, then at Lu Liangwei in disbelief. “But she looks so young… How come…”

Long Yang’s scowl deepened. Grabbing Lu Liangwei’s hand, he turned and stalked off.

Lu Liangwei wanted to laugh at the man’s enraged expression, but she stifled her laughter and pretended to complain indignantly, “Is that vendor blind or what? We don’t look alike at all! Seriously—he needs to check his eyes!”

Long Yang paused in his walk and lowered his gaze to look at her. “But you look pretty happy to me.”

Lu Liangwei frowned innocently. “I’m not!”

Looking at her youthful face, Long Yang narrowed his eyes, but his expression abruptly softened when a thought came to him. He lifted his hand and squeezed her cheek, saying gently, “I guess I should be thankful that he didn’t say we were father and daughter.”

Lu Liangwei paused, knowing that he had always been bothered by their age gap. She could not help leaning close to him and catching his sleeve. “Of course he wouldn’t! You’re so young, no one would be that blind.”

Long Yang pulled her into his embrace cheerfully. “Even if you’re lying, I believe you.”

Lu Liangwei hurriedly said, “I’m not lying! It’s true that you’re young. Besides, I like how mature and dependable you are.”

Her anxious explanation dispelled the gloom in his heart, and the corners of his mouth turned up. “Let’s go.”

After walking for a while, Lu Liangwei spotted a stall selling candied roasted chestnuts. Her eyes lit up, and she tugged on Long Yang’s sleeve. “I want to eat that.”

Long Yang looked in the direction she pointed and was relieved to see that she was not referring to stinky tofu. “All right.” He took her hand and walked toward the stall.

A short while later, Lu Liangwei walked away happily with a bag of candied roasted chestnuts in her arms.

She peeled a chestnut and popped it into her mouth. Finding the taste rather decent, she peeled another one for Long Yang.

Long Yang had never eaten food on the streets, and he turned his head away. “No thank you.”

“Come on! It tastes pretty good.” Refusing to give up, Lu Liangwei lifted her hand to stuff the peeled candied roasted chestnut into his mouth.