"An informant sent word that Miss Cui might have secretly contacted that little dragon. At the time, I couldn't determine whether it was true, so I had Song Fuxiao make the trip personally."
"Is that person trustworthy?"
"Absolutely. He has followed me for many years and rendered great service time and again."
Song Gudú said no more. "Go. Take care of your own affairs. You needn't concern yourself with anything else for now."
"Yes." Song Yu acknowledged him and turned to walk out of the small courtyard.
Song Gudú stood alone in the courtyard, staring absently at the old plum tree.
As he gazed at it, he suddenly narrowed his eyes and smiled, as if something amusing had happened.
"It feels so familiar—like drinking with a kindred spirit or playing chess with an old friend."
Zhu Yuren had run into another troublesome matter.
He had been peacefully eating his millet porridge with some pickled vegetables while contemplating the recent developments in court when he suddenly heard a heavy thud from the courtyard.
The steward, Zhu Li, who had been attending him nearby, saw that his master's expression was grim. He shouted and rushed outside, intending to give the culprit a severe punishment.
After being gone for a while, he soon returned with a strange expression on his face.
"Master, someone has come to the residence."
"What sort of person?" Zhu Yuren asked sourly. Zhu Li was becoming more and more useless at handling affairs. If he hadn't been an old retainer, Zhu Yuren would have replaced him long ago.
"A red-faced man."
"A red-faced man? Who is he? Where did he come from?"
"He says his name is Hong Hai'er." Zhu Li pointed at the sky. "He fell from up there."
"..."
Zhu Yuren glared fiercely at Zhu Li. This