The Time Had Come

She Long knew Zhou Qiubai had already guessed Xue Qinghe's identity, so there was no need for empty formalities.

Zhou Qiubai smiled. "Interesting. When?"

"Tomorrow night," She Long replied.

Zhou Qiubai tucked the invitation into his sleeve and said without hesitation, "All right. I'll go."

She Long had clearly not expected him to agree so readily. After a brief pause, he asked, "Does the City Lord not wish to ask about anything else?"

"What is there to ask?" Zhou Qiubai said casually. "He's the emperor, and I'm a city lord. The emperor invites me to dinner, so I go."

His frankness only made She Long more unable to fathom him.

She Long could not stay any longer. He cupped his fist in farewell. "Then I will wait outside the palace gates tomorrow night."

With that, he took his leave. From beneath the corridor, Dugu Bo said lazily, "You agreed quite readily."

Zhou Qiubai said, "They even stamped it with the jade seal. If I don't go, people will be saying tomorrow that Canglan City disrespects the royal family. I don't want to wear that label just yet."

Yang Guyun looked at him. "As long as you understand."

Zhou Qiubai patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. Xue Qinghe isn't foolish enough to make a move in the palace. Besides, even if he does, I might not necessarily be unable to get out."

After She Long left, Yang Guyun glanced back, his brows knitting slightly as a rare contemplative look appeared on his face.

"You agreed rather quickly," Yang Guyun said, half-jokingly.

Zhou Qiubai pulled out the gilded invitation from his sleeve and smiled.

"The emperor is treating me to dinner. How could I not go? I'm a city lord making a living on someone else's turf. If I refuse even a meal,