A bank of dark clouds swept over, once again hiding the moon that had only just emerged. The ox cart made its unhurried way back to the Luo Residence in the south of the city. A servant climbed down first and called, "Master!"
Only then did Luo Pei stir from his thoughts inside the cart. He lifted the curtain and stepped down.
The gates of the Luo Residence were tightly shut. The servant went forward to call for them to be opened, and moments later, Luo Pei's wife, Mo, and his eldest son, Luo Zhengqi, came out to welcome him.
Aside from these members of the Luo Family, there were only two maids, a few serving women, and a handful of manservants. These were all people who had stayed after Luo Pei was imprisoned.
Luo Pei had been in prison for only half a year, yet the stewards and managers with any standing or wealth had all left. Only those of low status with nowhere else to go remained.
After Luo Pei's release, some of those stewards and managers had indeed wept bitterly and begged to return. But they had left so heartlessly back then that it was mercy enough for Luo Pei not to pursue the matter. As for coming back, that was utterly out of the question!
And so the sprawling Luo Residence now seemed far too quiet and deserted.
"My dear, I'm fine."
He entered the residence accompanied by his wife and son, and the gates closed behind them. Holding his wife's hand, Luo Pei reassured her gently, "It was only a farewell banquet. What could possibly happen? Look at you, still waiting up for me."
For her to remain awake so late, she had clearly been waiting out of worry.
Mo sighed at his words. "How