Little Willow Lane, the Yang Residence.
Amid the howling, biting wind, Yang Qing saw a slender figure standing at the gate.
Though she wore a heavy veiled hat, Yang Qing recognized her the moment she spoke.
He waved to the sedan bearers behind her. "Go on back. It's freezing out here. Get home early and warm yourselves up."
The sedan bearers carried the chair away from the gates of the Yang Residence.
Once Yang Qing had watched them leave, he immediately ushered Murong Qian inside while asking Bu Er, who remained hidden in the shadows, "Has the brazier in the room been lit?"
Bu Er had wanted to defend himself. He had spent the entire day running about outside—when had he even returned to this residence?
Since he had not returned, how could he have found the time to light a brazier?
But before he could speak, he felt Jiang Zhizhou tug twice at his sleeve. "The charcoal for the brazier is ready under the covered walkway. We'll have it going in no time."
With that, he pulled Bu Er away to light the brazier.
Meanwhile, Murong Qian followed Yang Qing into the room, which felt particularly cold and deserted.
Before she could even remove her veiled hat, she spoke again. "Brother Qing, since you already returned to the Capital City, why come back to this mire?"
Hearing Murong Qian call him "Brother Qing" made Yang Qing's back stiffen, but he soon relaxed again. In the end, he did not dwell on it.
"Where the heart finds peace is home. I think you understand those words well."
After motioning for Murong Qian to sit, Yang Qing slipped a hand into his sleeve and touched the piece of warm jade Jiang Zhizhou had found for him long ago.
His icy fingertips