As for his hands behind his back, it was wrong to keep them there and wrong to lower them.
At the pavilion window, Yun Ji stood sideways with half her face exposed, holding her breath as she secretly watched the scene by the pool below. Her gaze flickered.
Though Yuan Gang stood guard, Yun Ji was the one truly protecting Niu Youdao. That was one reason Niu Youdao had stayed at Yun Ji's side.
Under the current circumstances, most people at Thatched Cottage Estate did not know Niu Youdao's identity, including Wu Zhaoxing. They would not consider Niu Youdao someone to protect. As someone in the know, Yun Ji was the best person to protect him.
The two by the pool stood very close. The man stared motionlessly at the moon's reflection in the water, while the woman stood behind him, looking at his back. Only two steps lay between them.
"Sir!" Shang Shuqing called out tentatively, her tone carrying a hint of unease. In the end, she was the first to break the silence.
Niu Youdao slowly drew a breath and turned around, looking surprised as he cupped his hands in salute. "Greetings, County Princess." Then he asked in puzzlement, "Why has the County Princess come here in the dead of night instead of feasting in the front hall?"
Shang Shuqing dipped into a half-curtsy. After straightening, she gazed into Niu Youdao's eyes and said softly, "There is something Qing'er does not understand and wishes to ask of you, sir."
Niu Youdao smiled bitterly. "County Princess, I am from Cloud-Crossing Mountain and truly know little of Thatched Cottage Estate's affairs. You have come to the wrong person. Whatever you wish to ask, Matchmaker would be the best person to ask."
"Sir does not even know what Qing'er wishes to