The morning light poured into the courtyard, bringing a touch of warmth to the desolate yard.
The ginkgo trees of this season had completely shed their green, their branches blazing with golden yellow as if set alight.
Golden leaves fluttered across the ground, mingling with the blue bricks in a mottled pattern.
A square-faced guard stood watch outside the gate, his eyes like a falcon's as he warily surveyed his surroundings.
Just then, the courtyard gate suddenly swung open. A yellow skirt, nearly indistinguishable from the fallen leaves covering the ground, fluttered in. The young woman, her hair in a high bun and clad in a purple jacket, stepped over the threshold, her icy eyes swiftly taking in her surroundings.
Seeing Miss Xiang'e arrive, the guard hurriedly bowed in respect. "Miss!"
The Crimson Powder Bride gave a slight nod, then instructed him, "Xiao Zheng is bedridden. I came especially to visit him. You may leave."
Before the guard could answer, a faint glimmer of Black Light flashed through her eyes.
The guard opened his mouth, about to reply, but froze. Then, without the slightest hesitation, he nodded. "Yes!"
The guard bowed, then strode out without delay, leaving the courtyard.
Seeing that she was now alone in the secluded courtyard, the Crimson Powder Bride flipped her wrist. The gleaming dagger with which she had sacrificed a maid appeared in her palm.
She strode to the room and raised a hand to knock.
"Knock, knock, knock."
There was no response from inside. It seemed as if no one was in there at all.
The Crimson Powder Bride was unmoved. When no one answered, she simply pushed the door open and entered.
Creak.
The door opened, and the morning light and cold wind rushed inside. Yet the room's dimness and warmth seemed frozen