By the time Wen Ning and Lu Ming returned to the Southern Heavenly Gate,
there were hardly any people left at the Jade Pool, and the mess from the Peach Banquet had already been cleared away.
Lu Ming crept along behind Wen Ning. The bell on his head gave a soft chime as he lowered his voice and asked,
"Wen Ning, what do you think the Queen Mother will do with You Yan?"
Wen Ning looked down at the little grayish-brown swallow in his palm.
You Yan crouched quietly in his hand.
Wen Ning said,
"I don't know either."
But whatever the Queen Mother decided, he was already prepared to plead for You Yan.
They passed through several corridors and reached the entrance to the great hall deep within the Jade Pool.
The fairy guarding the door froze briefly at the sight of the swallow in Wen Ning's palm.
She had not expected Wen Ning to act so quickly.
She turned and went inside to announce his arrival.
A moment later, the fairy came out and said to Wen Ning,
"Her Majesty asks Heavenly Official Wen to come inside."
Wen Ning took a deep breath and stepped into the hall.
Lu Ming tried to follow, but the fairy stretched out a hand to stop him.
"Her Majesty only summoned Heavenly Official Wen."
Wen Ning could only give Lu Ming a look, telling him to wait there.
Once Wen Ning had entered,
The Queen Mother, seated on her phoenix throne, saw him approach.
She gently set the teacup in her hand down on the table.
Her gaze first settled on Wen Ning's face, then shifted to the grayish-brown swallow in his palm.
More precisely, it shifted to the swallow's tail.
It was bare, with nothing there.
Wen Ning then told her