Old Ying Lake, in the outer city of the Great Li Capital City, was destined to receive a passage written in bold strokes by historians of later generations.
The Earthly Branches lineage returned there first. Song Xu went to the Imperial Study and gave the Emperor a rough account of what had brought about Heaven and Earth Connection. But he also said that his cultivation was too low and that he knew only a little of its surface.
As for the truth of it, they could only ask National Teacher Chen himself. The Emperor shook his head and said with a smile, "Of course I'm curious about all those strange things atop the mountains and even up in the heavens. But I care more about where the Great Li imperial court goes tomorrow."
The moment Chen Ping'an reappeared, everyone in the garden reacted differently. Some finally breathed a sigh of relief; some had their hearts in their throats; some looked as though they had lost their parents; and some smiled like flowers in bloom.
At the entrance to Courtyard A, Rong Yu said softly, "Prince Luo waited a long time, then went inside to sit and rest."
Chen Ping'an smiled. "He's been like that since he was little. If he can lie down, he won't sit; if he can sit, he won't stand."
Rong Yu said, "Chen Xi is still at the waterside pavilion. Han Yi and Wei Bi are both there. Nothing will happen to her."
Chen Ping'an nodded and asked, "Since Fu Qing has gone south, why not have Chen Xi enter the National Teacher's Manor?"
Rong Yu asked tentatively, "Does the National Teacher intend for Chen Xi to become someone like Fu Qing, or are you just finding her a place to settle?"
"The latter, of course,"