Chapter 217

Xu Jiawei said nothing more. He merely turned slightly and gestured for the attendant leading the way to see them out.

Xu Jiujiu did not follow them to the door. She stood beside the row of storage shelves, watching Xue Lingyun and Wang Yan walk back along the passage. As Xue Lingyun passed her, she said something softly. Her voice was quiet and her tone was light, more like an offhand remark.

She said she would not be going to the city gate to see them off tomorrow, since there would probably be too many people and it would be inconvenient. Xue Lingyun nodded after hearing that, gave a quiet acknowledgment without saying anything else, and continued out.

By the time the two of them left through the side gate of the imperial palace, the sun was already slanting westward. Wang Yan walked ahead without looking back or rushing to speak. They followed the same route back to the Star Emperor Hotel. As they crossed the lobby, they ran into He Caitou, who was coming from the dining hall with a cup of water in hand. When he saw Xue Lingyun and Wang Yan return, he did not ask any questions. He merely greeted them and went upstairs.

Dinner that night was much quieter than the celebration banquet. The Shrek group sat around a table in the dining hall, with several simple dishes laid out before them and no wine served. Xuan Zi sat farther inside the table. He was not holding a chicken leg, and his teacup contained some unknown leaves, with tiny specks of light floating on the surface of the water. He had not taken a sip. He only spoke after most of them had settled into their seats, his tone much the same as usual. "We