Yin Shu gave a wry smile. "Yes, the dean has always lived here!"
In truth, she found it puzzling too. How could a mature, beautiful woman like the dean endure such loneliness, living in seclusion here for over a decade without ever stepping outside?
Yin Shu didn't know, but Qian Ye did. Not only did he know, he understood Liu Erlong's reasons even better than Master Xiaogang did.
Inside the fenced courtyard grew all kinds of flowers and potted plants, now blooming in a riot of color, as though it were spring.
"Dean... are you there?" Yin Shu walked up to the fence. Seeing no sign of Liu Erlong, she called inside.
"Yin Shu, why have you come?"
Qian Ye heard a cold, somewhat impatient voice from within. Clearly, she was blaming Yin Shu for rashly disturbing her peace and quiet.
Yin Shu smiled bitterly. "Dean, the Crown Prince has come to visit you, so I brought him here to see you."
After hearing Yin Shu's words, there was no movement inside for a while. The two could only wait.
Taking advantage of the moment, Qian Ye carefully looked over the scenery by the lake again.
It had to be said that with its woods, water, and picturesque scenery, this truly was an excellent place for quiet cultivation. And just beyond the door lay the bustling imperial city—truly the best of both worlds.