On the western side of the parade ground, in a section of the Spectator Seats.
Pale purple gauze curtains enclosed the area, creating a tranquil little world of its own.
When the dignitaries of Yuhe County nearby saw the Lu Family banner beside the curtains, a trace of wariness flickered in their eyes.
Behind the pale purple curtains.
Miss Jin Lian reclined in a cushioned Grand Preceptor's Chair. Her lotus-pink silk dress set off skin whiter than snow, and a lotus fashioned from pearls adorned her hair, swaying gently whenever she raised her hand.
The maid beside her carefully refilled her tea. The Biluochun Tea in the Celadon Teacup was clear and bright, its curling steam obscuring the look in her eyes.
She had been watching the grounds casually, idly toying with the lid of her cup, when her gaze suddenly fell on the group walking toward the enclosure.
At first, she paid them little attention. But when she recognized one figure among them, the hand holding her cup paused slightly, and the lid struck the rim with a clear clink.
"Him?"
Surprise flashed in Miss Jin Lian's eyes. She straightened involuntarily and took a closer look.
The figure wore a clean black martial outfit. Tall and straight-backed, with steady steps, he was the young man she had previously met at the Liu Family Medical Hall.
Jin Lian still remembered his name: Yang Jing. He was a junior fellow disciple of Liu Maolin, the young master of the Liu Family Medical Hall, and a Hidden Strength expert.
At the time, she had taken him for an ordinary Hidden Strength martial artist. Liu Maolin had said Yang Jing probably had not reached Hidden Strength long ago, yet she had never expected...
Watching him enter the enclosure and stand alongside the other