When Chen Cang knocked outside the courtyard, Xun'er had yet to go to bed.
She came out of the house, saw Chen Cang standing at the courtyard gate, and immediately hurried over with a sweet smile.
"Brother Chen Cang, you finished so quickly?"
He knew she meant the situation with Xiao Yan, but the question still sounded a little off.
So Chen Cang simply left that question unanswered, shot her a look, and turned toward the shadows in the corner.
"Xun'er, I'd like to talk to you about something private. Could this elderly gentleman give us a moment?"
Xun'er froze for an instant, then quickly recovered her smile. She nodded toward the shadows. "Elder Ling, go to the back mountain and see whether the flowers I planted have bloomed."
The shadows stirred, and Ling Ying emerged in his black robes. He studied Chen Cang carefully for a few moments before bowing and leaving.
There were no flowers. It was merely an excuse.
Ling Ying was not worried about Xun'er's safety. From beginning to end, he had been little more than an errand runner. Dealing with ordinary scoundrels was no problem, but threats above Dou Zong...
Those were not his concern.
Besides, he believed that even if his young lady's attitude toward Chen Cang was somewhat subtle, she would not do anything that crossed the line.
"Brother Chen Cang, you knew Elder Ling was there long ago, didn't you?"
Only after watching Ling Ying leave did Xun'er come to Chen Cang's side, staying half a step behind him. As she spoke, she clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forward, tilting her head to study his expression with a rare touch of playful charm.
This was clearly her courtyard, yet she willingly accompanied him as though Chen Cang were its