What a Pity, We Don't Fall for That

Zhou Qiubai rose from the rooftop and dusted the tile ash off his backside.

Yang Guyun did the same.

"Let's go." Zhou Qiubai smiled. "Let's head back and find Dugu Bo. The ceremony's over; there's nothing left for us to do."

The succession ceremony had just ended, yet the streets and alleys of Heaven Dou City still brimmed with the lingering festive mood.

"Let's go." Zhou Qiubai smiled. "Let's head back. The ceremony's over."

Yang Guyun nodded and followed behind Zhou Qiubai.

After all, their Emperor Qinghe had only just ascended the throne. He surely had countless matters to handle and no time to spare for them.

"Finished watching?" Dugu Bo asked blandly without looking up.

"Finished." Zhou Qiubai sat at the table, poured himself a cup of wine, and spoke casually. "I have to say, she put on quite a performance. Just what you'd expect from someone named Xue. If I hadn't known the truth, she almost moved me."

Yang Guyun sat down as well and said something—no, one word.

"Tired."

Dugu Bo snorted. "You two certainly had it easy. At an event as grand as a succession ceremony, with so many eyes watching and so many hands stirring things up in the shadows, you two actually climbed onto a roof to watch the show."

"The view was better from the roof." Zhou Qiubai took a sip of wine and answered with a smile. "But there's something I've never been able to figure out."

"What is it?"

"I didn't see anyone from the Strength Clan on the viewing platform today." Zhou Qiubai set down his cup, his brows knitting slightly. "The Strength Clan's residence is right here in Heaven Dou City. At an occasion like a succession ceremony, what prominent family wouldn't show its face? Even if the clan