The night at the Marquis Residence was deeper and quieter than at Clear River Estate.
Chen Lingxi was also more familiar with the Marquis Residence.
He made his way with ease into the bounds of the South Courtyard.
The South Courtyard was Lin Suri's residence. Unlike the other courtyards of the Marquis Residence, it had very few servants, and after nightfall, one could scarcely see anyone.
Only a few wind lanterns were lit in the courtyard. Their dim yellow halos swayed faintly in the night wind, casting the shadows of the covered walkways across the ground—long and short, bright and dark by turns.
Chen Lingxi concealed himself in the shadows and gazed from afar toward East Hall.
The lights in East Hall were still on.
"Lin Suri..."
He drew a deep breath and stepped forward.
With that step, he no longer concealed his tracks.
He let his boots ring crisply against the bluestone ground. Every step was unhurried and composed, as though a true general were inspecting his own camp.
The layer of azure radiance on East Hall's window paper abruptly withdrew.
The candle flame brightened anew. Warm yellow light passed through the cicada-wing gauze and cast a person's shadow upon the window paper.
That shadow sat upright and motionless, only tilting its head slightly, as though listening to the sounds outside.
Chen Lingxi walked before East Hall's main chamber and stopped beneath the paulownia tree.
He stood beneath the tree with his hands behind his back, raising his eyes toward the tightly shut doors without saying a word.
A few breaths later, the doors opened soundlessly.
Lin Suri stepped out through them.
Today, he wore a black brocade robe, a jade belt at his waist, and his hair crown was immaculate.
He stood just inside the threshold, hands behind