At dawn, when the first sliver of fish-belly white appeared along the eastern horizon, Dai Youheng stood beneath Star Luo City's towering gates.
He had deliberately chosen this quietest hour to return.
He stopped in the shadows of a secluded alley. Nana appeared as though she had coalesced from the darkness, silently taking her place beside him.
"Find an opportunity to give this to Ling Ya." Dai Youheng took a Jade Box from inside his robes. Its surface was smooth and lustrous, yet a faint icy chill seeped from it.
Inside lay the Immortal Herb, the Star Luo Spirit Pearl.
Nana accepted the Jade Box with both hands. Feeling the vast yet gentle energy it contained, she said, "Yes, young master. Brother Ling Ya and I will certainly live up to your expectations." She knew how precious this Immortal Herb was, and understood even more clearly the hopes entrusted with it.
Dai Youheng nodded slightly. Without another word, he turned and melted into the brightening morning light, heading toward the familiar Princess's Mansion.
Nana held the Jade Box as her figure dissolved into the shadows once more, as though she had never appeared.
The Princess's Mansion remained quiet, its maids not yet busy with their day's work. Dai Youheng went straight to the room Xu Jiujiu had arranged for him. All its furnishings were unchanged.
He shed his travel-worn outer robe and was about to sit down to regulate his breathing when hurried, light footsteps sounded outside, accompanied by a cry of barely restrained delight.
"Youheng!"
The door was flung open. Xu Jiujiu stood in the doorway in lavish court attire, the morning sunlight filtering through the window lattice to trace a soft golden outline around her.
She seemed to have been preparing to go out. Her hair was impeccably