"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
The heavy knocking echoed down the silent corridor.
"Who is it?"
Xiao Lian's voice came from inside.
As she opened the door, she said, "Sister Sun said Miss Qingmei isn't seeing anyone tonight..."
"Guard Luo?"
When she recognized the visitor, she froze.
Luo Qingchen glanced into the room. "May I come in and speak with Miss Qingmei for a few minutes?"
Xiao Lian didn't dare decide for herself, so she turned to look inside.
Qingmei sat at the table, staring into space.
A lamp burned on the table. Its dim, yellow light fell across her pale cheeks, her expression dazed and vacant.
She still seemed to be in shock.
Xiao Lian had no choice but to go over and ask quietly, "Miss, Guard Luo says he'd like to come in and speak with you. Should I let him in?"
Qingmei's lashes trembled. She seemed to come back to herself and turned toward the door.
Luo Qingchen was watching her from outside.
Qingmei suddenly sneered. "You turned down my invitation time and again before. Now Zhao Yun is dead and you've got no one to talk to, so you've come looking for me?"
Luo Qingchen didn't reply.
Qingmei gave him another cold stare, then said, "Come in. If you've changed your mind, I'll forgive you."
Luo Qingchen entered the room and looked at the maid. "Could Xiao Lian step out for a while?"
Xiao Lian said nothing. She looked toward her mistress.
A mocking smile tugged at Qingmei's lips. "Guard Luo, are you sure a little while will be enough? So weak, are you?"
Luo Qingchen said nothing more.
Qingmei looked at him a few more times, then said to the maid beside her, "Xiao Lian, go on out. I won't need you to attend me tonight."
"Yes,