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A crack opened in the tall gates of the estate. Carrying a lantern, a page bent down before Li Danxin, who knelt on the steps.

"Miss, the Master asked me to tell you to find somewhere to stay for now. Please don't kneel here. It's bad for your health."

"Sorry for the trouble, but please tell Father I'm fine. I only ask that he spare a moment to see me."

"Miss, the Master said that if this concerns your father-in-law, General Wu, he will report it to His Majesty after attending court tomorrow. The court will decide what to do."

"I know Father is impartial. Of course he wouldn't bend the rules for me. I only want to tell him what truly happened in my husband's family. It's nothing like those treacherous wretches claimed in their reckless petitions. My father-in-law never intended to rebel with his troops." Her voice rose as she dragged her knees two steps forward and cried out toward the courtyard. "That doggerel was something he blurted out while enjoying himself. He meant no disloyalty to His Majesty, nor any dissatisfaction with the court. Father!"

Long Ang sighed deeply. He could bear to watch no longer and turned toward the rear courtyard of the Li Estate. To his surprise, someone was leaning beside the back gate, as though he had been waiting for him. Wei Chenmu looked at him knowingly. "Lord Long, you're here."

"You were... waiting for me?"

Wei Chenmu nodded and pushed the already unlatched back gate. "Please."

Long Ang smiled and gave Wei Chenmu, dressed in black with his sword never far from his side, another long look. "Then you know what I'm planning to do?"

"Ask the Young Master to save the miss."

"Half right." Long Ang raised a brow. "I'm not asking.