Royal Capital.
Before Marquis Dongling's Residence.
Jiang Ning halted, lifted his head to gaze at the lofty plaque above the Marquis's Residence, his thoughts still drifting.
The battle at Chenggan Palace today seemed to have settled the dust, but he knew the undercurrents had not ceased.
Ji Xuan had been forced into seclusion, while the Northern Azure King had departed with his son—and his son had been injured by Jiang Ning.
He could also tell that the Northern Azure King was not a broad-minded man.
Moreover, he had noticed something amiss in Divine Might King's attitude.
Although Ji Minghao had been established as the new Emperor, his foundations were weak. Only Shen Xiao, as the future Empress's faction, would offer him support.
"Time..." Jiang Ning murmured, stepping forward to knock on the residence gates.
Knock, knock, knock—
Three knocks in succession carried far through the quiet morning.
A moment later.
"Who is it?!" A crisp young girl's voice called from behind the gates.
"It's me!" Jiang Ning said.
"It's... Young Master!!" The voice behind the gate immediately turned delighted.
Jiang Ning knew that voice well. It was Lü Yi's.
After a brief silence, footsteps approached the gate.
Then the bolt fell, and the girl in green appeared before Jiang Ning.
Bathed in the warm morning sunlight, a faint warm glow seemed to envelop her head.
"It really is Young Master!!" Lü Yi's eyes brightened at the sight of him beyond the gate.
"Of course it is." Jiang Ning smiled.
Then he stepped over the threshold and casually rubbed Lü Yi's head.
"Nothing happened at home these past few days, right?"
"No!" Lü Yi shook her head, then added, "Everything has been very good!"
"That's good." Jiang Ning nodded.
He headed toward the front courtyard.
Just as before.
Behind him, Lü