The black cat remembered, the tabby cat remembered, and all the stray cats would remember too.
The Mayfly, remembered by so many people (and cats), had truly been here in this world.
Xiao Xiao smiled, opened the door, and stepped into the courtyard.
Sky Horse, lying near the corner by the courtyard gate, seemed to sense him and opened its eyes. Seeing Xiao Xiao, it closed them again and went back to sleep.
Xiao Xiao softened his footsteps.
Everyone in the courtyard had already drifted off to sleep.
Moonlight fell upon the pond, reflecting ripples of shimmering light.
The White Plum Blossoms stirred without a breeze, rustling softly. Each blossom seemed carved from white jade, glowing with a hazy radiance that echoed the bright moon above.
It was as if the moonlight particularly favored this courtyard.
"Plum Blossom Woman."
Xiao Xiao called softly, "Good night."
Plum Blossom Woman, floating before the White Plum Tree, dipped into a curtsy, her long black hair sliding over her shoulders.
"Good night, Lord Xiao Xiao."
As Xiao Xiao passed the Wutong Tree, he paused and glanced to the side. The mushroom folk were sleeping soundly atop the mushrooms.
He looked up at the Wutong Tree and saw Yue and Ying Shao resting among its branches, their heads bowed.
Everything was just as it had been before.
He shook his head with a smile and continued into the house.
It seemed a breeze had passed through. The Wutong Tree's branches and leaves swayed slightly behind him, rustling faintly.
Soon, the courtyard fell silent again.
The next day, Xiao Xiao was playing chess with Frog God beneath the White Plum Tree.
He had been quite surprised at first to learn that Frog God knew how to play chess.
But after