After Old Man Yan and Yu Sui finished talking, Shan Rong, who had been sitting in the pavilion, finally spoke. "We got word from Geng Hanfu. Xuan Kui's people have temporarily withdrawn from the imperial capital."
It was a precaution. Old Man Yan said, "Tell him to keep himself hidden for now."
After what happened, Qingkui would probably lie low for a while.
She had been recognized and brought back into the Nangong Family as a young lady of the mansion. With all eyes on her, people would scrutinize her every word and action from now on. She could no longer hide in the shadows and manipulate everything as she had before.
She also needed time to adjust to the changes this new identity brought.
"Have Wind Hall deal with everyone involved in today's events," Old Man Yan said impassively. "Leave a couple of people from the farming families for Su Xing, so she'll think Yan Manfeng was behind it."
Shan Rong nodded slightly.
The torrential rain had ravaged the imperial capital all night, only gradually letting up around dawn.
Lady Su had stayed by Qingkui's bedside all night, watching the physicians and Mister Zhou labor to save her. Burdened by worry, she looked considerably more haggard.
After the other physicians left, Mister Zhou turned to look at the woman seated beside the bed. The gauze curtains had been tied back on either side, their hanging red cords holding tassels adorned with brilliant gemstones. The tassels swayed gently in the morning breeze blowing into the room.
In Mister Zhou's eyes, Lady Su should have shone with beauty, like the gemstones on those tassels. She should not have looked as if nothing remained of her but sorrow.
The impulse he had held in his heart for so long could no longer