Morning.
After breakfast.
"Your Excellencies, this way, please!" Lü Yi led Zhao Yulong and Bai Luoyu toward Jiang Ning's courtyard.
The two passed through the round moon gate and saw Jiang Ning seated in the pavilion by the lake.
Jiang Ning was scattering fish food into the lake. Waves rippled across the surface as ornamental fish of every color rushed to feed.
Jiang Ning rose to his feet as well.
"Prefect Lord, Brother Bai!" he greeted them.
"Inspector Jiang, you certainly know how to enjoy life!" Zhao Yulong said with a smile.
"Brother Jiang!" With a swish, Bai Luoyu closed the folding fan in his hand and clasped his fists toward Jiang Ning from afar.
A moment later.
The three sat down in the pavilion.
"Inspector Jiang, Miss Zhong Ling has moved in here. She hasn't inconvenienced you, has she?" Zhao Yulong asked with a smile.
"Not at all. There's plenty of room here," Jiang Ning said.
"Then why not let nature take its course, Inspector Jiang? You're at the age to start a family as well!" Zhao Yulong said cheerfully.
"Prefect Lord, those were probably the intentions Prefect Envoy Zhong left behind a few days ago, weren't they?" Jiang Ning pushed the tea before him toward Zhao Yulong and Bai Luoyu.
"Prefect Envoy Zhong indeed has such thoughts." Zhao Yulong nodded.
Then he looked at Linglong, who was quietly holding her tea and taking tiny sips beside them. "And this young lady is?"
Seeing Zhao Yulong ask about Linglong's identity, Jiang Ning immediately felt a headache coming on.
After taking human form, Linglong had clearly found everything fascinating and was rather unwilling to return to the lake.
"I'm my master's pet!" Linglong raised her head and said.
"Pet?" Zhao Yulong froze. Bai Luoyu looked utterly aghast, his mouth slightly