Just as they reached the end of the corridor, footsteps sounded behind them, followed by Sikong Hongyue's voice. "Young Master Su, please wait."
The two stopped and turned to look.
Sikong Hongyue emerged from the corridor at an unhurried pace and stopped before them. She glanced at Nie Li first and smiled.
"Young Master Lei, you're heading out to gather herbs tomorrow. You must still have plenty to prepare. I won't keep you." She then turned to Shen Fei, her gaze settling on his face. Her tone was courteous, yet carried a hint that brooked no refusal. "Young Master Su, do you have time to take a walk with me? There are a few things about the outside world I'd like to ask you."
She stood before Shen Fei, neither too close nor too far away, with just the right amount of warmth in her smile, as though she genuinely wanted to invite him for a walk.
Shen Fei sensed Nie Li's steps falter ahead of him. Although Nie Li did not turn back, he had clearly heard her invitation too.
Shen Fei glanced over Sikong Hongyue's shoulder toward the courtyard wall. A slender figure stood in a small patch of darkness at its base, then retreated two steps into the shadow of a pillar. It was Xiao Ning'er.
From where she stood, she could not hear what they were saying, but she could see the direction they had come from and Sikong Hongyue standing before Shen Fei.
Shen Fei withdrew his gaze and smiled at Sikong Hongyue, his tone polite but distant. "I'm sorry, but I still have some matters concerning the Teleportation Array to discuss with Young Master Lei. I'm afraid I won't have any free time tonight. I'll seek your advice another day, if the opportunity arises,