Marquis Dongling's Residence entrance.
As the black-and-white rainbow light faded, Jiang Ning's figure had just landed.
The man leaning against a tree to one side immediately opened his eyes and looked up.
Then his body jolted, and he hurried forward, bowing in salute.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
Jiang Ning glanced sideways. From the man's attire, he knew that this person waiting beneath the tree was an inner guard from the imperial palace.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Reporting to Your Highness, His Majesty arrived at Lishui Palace this afternoon and has been waiting for Your Highness ever since. He has yet to leave."
At this, Jiang Ning's steps paused slightly, and he turned his gaze toward the inner guard. "His Majesty is waiting for me at Lishui Palace?"
"Precisely." The inner guard hurriedly nodded. "Upon hearing that Your Highness had returned, His Majesty ordered this lowly one to wait at Marquis Dongling's Residence and report the moment Your Highness returned. His Majesty has waited at Lishui Palace for most of the day. I hope Your Highness will make the trip at once and not keep His Majesty waiting too long."
Jiang Ning nodded slightly.
He looked once more at the Marquis's Residence ahead, then said, "Wait a moment. I'll return home first."
"Your Highness, His Majesty has already waited a long time!" The inner guard bowed again, his tone respectful.
"I know." Jiang Ning nodded.
With that said.
He stepped forward, climbed the stairs, and knocked open the gates of the Marquis's Residence.
"Young Master!!" The moment Lü Yi pushed open the gates and saw Jiang Ning, her eyes immediately lit up. "Young Master went to Five Peaks Prefecture and came back so quickly!!"
Jiang Ning smiled and nodded. Then, carrying the pastries he had bought from the Celestial City marketplace,