Let us not speak of the tangled trifles within Xiao Manor.
Kanning Street in North City was brightly lit. Curfew had not yet begun, and talented scholars and beautiful ladies passed by in groups of three or five.
Some walked together, while others lingered beneath flowers and moonlight, taking advantage of the bright night to recite poetry and compose couplets in refined fashion.
Outside the Mounting Shop.
On the carriage bearing Xiao Manor's red banner, the driver leaned against the carriage compartment, arms folded as his eyes rolled restlessly about.
Now he looked at this one, now he glanced at that one, as though there was simply too much to take in.
Just then, a hand landed on his shoulder. "Old Luo, keep looking around like that, and be careful those young ladies don't notice."
The driver called Old Luo jumped. When he saw it was Liu Si'er, he immediately began to curse.
"Fourth Brother, why are you sneaking around like a ghost?"
"And how do you have the nerve to talk about me? The manor's been turned upside down today, yet I haven't seen hide nor hair of you."
Liu Si'er smiled, nudged him aside with his backside, and sat on the carriage shaft.
"I had some private matters to handle."
"You're one to talk. If the manor really was that busy, how did you get out?"
Old Luo raised a hand and pointed at the Mounting Shop in the distance. "I've got proper business. The second son-in-law wrote another piece that needs mounting, said he was giving it to..."
Before he finished, his eyes shifted toward Liu Si'er, and his tone turned suggestive.
"Hey, wait a minute. You came here... don't tell me you're meeting that girl who went to your room last time?"
That girl from last