When Pan Yun brought her Senior Brother and nephew-disciple back to the Capital City, it was already late at night, and the Emperor was still working overtime.
After tossing them into the Celestial Master's Mansion's residence in the Capital City, Pan Yun left them to their own devices. In the next instant, she entered the imperial palace.
The Emperor was bent over his work. Having finally finished reviewing the most urgent memorials, he saw another stack at the very edge of the desk and casually picked one up to open it.
As if sensing something, the Emperor looked up toward the hall doors.
The eunuch on duty at the Directorate of Ceremonial that night was named Liu Jin. He respectfully served the Emperor tea. "Your Majesty?"
The Emperor lowered his eyes, assuming it had merely been his imagination. He set down his brush and accepted the tea, but after taking only one sip, he felt the jade at his chest grow faintly hot, and a sense of closeness and familiarity washed over him.
The Emperor shot to his feet. The teacup swayed in his hand, spilling tea.
Liu Jin panicked. "Your Majesty, be careful! Your Majesty, what is..."
Impatiently, the Emperor shoved the teacup into his hands and waved him away. "All of you, withdraw."
The Emperor's prestige had steadily grown, and no one dared say another word. They all bowed and withdrew.
The hall doors opened and closed again. The vast imperial study was left with only the Emperor. He paced around the hall twice, then called out uncertainly, "Teacher, is that you?"
A soft laugh rang out. Pan Yun appeared in human form and smiled at him. "Your Majesty."
The Emperor was overjoyed and hurried forward, but seeing that she was only a phantom, he hesitated. "You are..."