After seeing off the sisters Leng Qing and Leng Lingling, Mo Xie had just stepped out of the Judgment Hall when he ran into a group of people.
He looked up, smiled, and called out.
"Well, if it isn't Councilor Zhu Meng. Where are you off to carry out your Threat Elimination Strategy today?"
Zhu Meng was leading the group. Hearing the jab, he gave Mo Xie a level look.
The Court Guards behind him exchanged glances, then turned to their leader.
One was the hero who had protected Hangzhou and ended the plague; the other was the councilor they respected. For a moment, they had no idea what to do.
Zhu Meng studied Mo Xie in silence. Then his lips curved, and he chuckled.
The laugh caught everyone off guard. They all stared at him strangely.
Mo Xie in particular felt his eye twitch. He fixed Zhu Meng with a wary stare and took a step back.
Wait. Did he actually enjoy being insulted?
Noticing the strange looks, Zhu Meng realized his reaction had been a little odd. He quickly wiped away his smile, cleared his throat, and asked Mo Xie.
"Are you leaving the Judgment Hall now?"
Mo Xie remained wary, but he nodded.
"Yeah."
"Good. I'm leaving too. Let's walk together. There's something I want to tell you."
With that, Zhu Meng turned and headed out first.
Mo Xie shrugged and followed at an easy pace.
The Court Guards had nothing to say, so they followed as well.
Mo Xie and Zhu Meng walked side by side without speaking. The silence soon grew awkward.
In the end, Zhu Meng was the first to break it.
"Mo Xie, I owe you an apology for everything I did before. And I owe you thanks for helping Hangzhou."
The Court