Hundred Flowers Hall.
The table was laden with fine food and wine.
"What? You're saying Third Brother suddenly left?" Xiu Xiu asked in surprise.
Qin Xiaolou nodded, looking troubled. "That's right. He seemed to be in a hurry. He left immediately without having time to say much to me."
Wan Er said worriedly, "What on earth is going on? Master looked very anxious when she left, and now Third Brother is the same. What happened?"
They exchanged glances, all feeling uneasy.
The table was full of delicious food, but no one touched a bite.
Qing Rou sighed inwardly, composed herself, then suddenly smiled.
"Hm?"
They all turned to look at her.
"Junior Sister, what are you smiling about?" Qin Xiaolou couldn't help asking.
Qing Rou smiled. "I'm laughing at you all for worrying over nothing."
"Worrying over nothing? What do you mean?" Wan Er asked.
Qing Rou said, "Don't you know how powerful Master is? What is there to worry about? As for Third Brother, that's a different matter. Ahem, I can't really explain it to you."
Xiu Xiu slid off her chair, ran up to Qing Rou, and tugged on her arm, shaking it incessantly as she begged, "Sister Qing Rou, my dear sister, what's going on with Third Brother? Just tell me, please!"
Qing Rou let her wait a moment, then spoke in an affected tone. "All right. Since even you're so worried, I'll tell you—"
"Your Third Brother went to find Blade Saint Ning."
"What?!"
Qin Xiaolou, Wan Er, and Xiu Xiu cried out in unison.
"How do you know?" Wan Er pressed.
Qing Rou remained composed and continued making things up. "Obviously! He just asked me what kind of gift he should give a girl. I asked who it was for, and he said Ning Yuechan.