The fragrance of fresh grass drifted from the other end of the Spatial Passage.
Si Chen stepped through the gate of light onto a familiar path.
Black Mountain followed him out, his bear nose sniffing hard.
He drew a deep breath, his bear face turning exceptionally solemn.
Then, without another word, he turned and sprinted toward Third Uncle Granduncle's courtyard.
"Little Sheng is off to pay his respects to Third Uncle Granduncle-!"
The bear's silhouette vanished around the end of the corridor in a blink.
Red Wind had just stepped through the gate of light and stared blankly in the direction Black Mountain had disappeared.
"That damned bear..."
Red Bean also flapped off his shoulder, becoming a streak of red light that headed toward the courtyard where the inner residence's maids often gathered.
There were always Spirit Fruits and snacks ready there, and the little fellow remembered that perfectly.
Red Wind stretched, his bones cracking.
"I'm going to rest at my usual spot."
With that, he headed off on his own toward the bamboo grove to the west.
On his last visit to the Si Household, he had discovered a large slab of bluestone there that was especially comfortable to lie on while basking in the sun.
Si Chen watched them scatter without saying anything.
He followed the path onward.
The clan grounds looked the same as ever.
Here and there, he saw servants sweeping beside the path. At the sight of him, they stopped and bowed respectfully.
"You're back, young master."
A passing squad of patrolling guards also saluted him and said respectfully,
"Young lord."
Everything was just as it had been when he left.
Yet it also seemed different.
Si Chen could feel the gazes settling on him, more curious and more awed than before.
News of what