Xuan Zi's throat bobbed. In the end, he answered gruffly:
"Understood."
The meeting dispersed, and everyone returned to their quarters to pack.
On the evening before their departure, Bei Bei came alone to the Sea God Pavilion and stopped Xuan Zi and Zhang Lexuan just as they emerged.
"Elder Xuan, Eldest Senior Sister, I want to go to the Ming Capital with you this time." Bei Bei stood below the steps, noticeably thinner than he had been half a month ago.
Zhang Lexuan looked at Bei Bei, knowing full well what he could not let go of, and asked softly:
"The Ming Capital is so vast, and they've probably already taken precautions. Even if you come along, how do you plan to find her?"
Bei Bei clenched his hands at his sides. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke:
"I won't act recklessly. I just want to see her with my own eyes in the Ming Capital. Even if we still can't bring her back this time, at least... at least let me know she's still alive, and what she's become."
Listening beside them, Xuan Zi felt a bitter pang. After all, Zhongli Wu had taken Tang Ya back right under his nose.
Xuan Zi averted his gaze from Bei Bei's reddened eyes and tucked the wine gourd in his hand behind his waist.
"Come along if you want. But let me make the unpleasant part clear first: once we reach the Ming Capital, you follow Shaozhe and Lexuan's arrangements. You are absolutely forbidden to act on your own!"
"Thank you, Elder Xuan!" Bei Bei bent deeply in a bow.
Zhang Lexuan sighed, glanced at Bei Bei, and took out the blue folder she carried with her. Picking up a pen, she added Bei Bei's name to the end