The Crown Prince's Mansion banquet was held at dusk.
By the time Di Yao arrived, the sky over Heaven Dou City had just darkened.
The Crown Prince's Mansion was brightly lit.
Glazed Lanterns hung along both sides of the corridor, their light gentle and not harsh, yet bright enough to leave everyone's expressions nowhere to hide.
When Hu Liena helped Di Yao from the carriage, her movements were entirely natural.
Di Yao glanced at her.
Hu Liena said coldly, "Don't overthink it. If you walk too fast right now, you'll cough up blood."
"I'm not overthinking it," Di Yao said.
Hu Liena snorted. "You'd better not be."
At the entrance to the Crown Prince's Mansion, Xue Qinghe was already waiting in person.
He wore a pale gold robe and bore a gentle smile, every bit the true heir of Heaven Dou—modest, steady, beyond reproach.
"Di Yao."
Xue Qinghe stepped forward, his gaze falling upon Di Yao's somewhat pale face. Concern colored his voice. "Are your injuries any better?"
Di Yao looked at him.
"Not dead."
Xue Qinghe paused slightly, then chuckled. "You're as direct as ever."
Hu Liena stood to one side with an indifferent expression.
She had already grown accustomed to Di Yao answering people like that.
Xue Qinghe was not offended. Turning sideways, he said, "Please, come in."
Di Yao stepped into the mansion.
As he passed through the corridor, he could sense quite a few eyes hidden in the darkness.
The Crown Prince's Mansion guards.
Spies from the Heaven Dou Nobles.
And several even cleaner, more concealed presences.
Di Yao's gaze shifted slightly.
Xue Qinghe walked at his side, his voice gentle. "It's only a small banquet today. There's no need to be so tense."
"You believe that?" Di Yao asked.
Xue Qinghe's smile deepened.
"At least