The arrival was none other than Liu Hong, Liu Gongmo, the Left Provincial Administrator of Shu Provincial Administration.
As Chen Yi lifted the carriage curtain, he saw him stepping down from his carriage.
Beside him stood a scholar in a xiucai's long robe—it was Zhao Liuan.
What a coincidence.
When Liu Hong turned around, his gaze met Chen Yi's. The stern expression on his face instantly bloomed into a smile.
The two then exchanged greetings.
One nodded gently, while the other clasped his hands in apology.
Then the carriages passed one another.
Liu Hong watched the carriage turn into Zhennan Street before withdrawing his gaze. He sent another, older middle-aged man to deliver a Visit Card.
As for himself, he thoughtfully gathered his sleeves. "Chen Qingzhou..."
Hearing his voice, Zhao Liuan belatedly looked toward Zhennan Street and asked in a low voice:
"My lord, was Chen Yi sitting in that carriage just now?"
Liu Hong gave a slight nod. "It was him."
"Strange. Why would he choose to leave the Marquis's mansion at a time like this?"
Zhao Liuan raised his head slightly at those words, glanced at him, and answered cautiously:
"Perhaps he was going to Guiyun Academy to teach the Way of Calligraphy?"
It had been the most ordinary sort of agreement, yet Liu Hong unexpectedly shook his head outright. "Not today."
Zhao Liuan froze, nearly blurting out, "How do you know so clearly?"
After catching himself, he carefully chose his words. "This subordinate does not know."
Liu Hong hummed, turned his head toward the gates of Xiao Manor, and softly instructed:
"You may pay more attention to Chen Qingzhou in the future."
Just as Zhao Liuan was about to ask for the reason, Liu Hong continued with an explanation:
"The Chen Family of Jiangnan has received considerable