Back at the temporary lodgings, Liu E helped Li Ping'an clean the room again.
Dinner was fish broth noodles, a dish that demanded precise knife work and careful control of the heat.
The noodles were thin and silky, the broth white as milk, and every strand had fully absorbed the broth's rich flavor.
After finishing the noodles, they busied themselves for a while longer.
"Sir, I won't trouble you any further."
Seeing that everything had been taken care of, Liu E prepared to leave, as she also needed to return to the palace to report to His Highness.
"It's dark. Unless there's something particularly urgent, Miss Liu, why not stay here for the night?"
"Rest assured, sir. I grew up in Capital City. I won't be in any danger. Farewell."
Li Ping'an did not stop her again. He picked up his tea and took a sip.
Even with the moon high overhead, the capital was still bustling.
In Capital City, a curfew was generally only imposed in an emergency.
Liu E chose a slightly longer side route. Though it was a detour, it let her leap across rooftops and scale walls.
It was much more convenient than taking the crowded shortcut.
Though she occasionally encountered one or two fools who did not know better, they were no real trouble.
Mr. Li had only just arrived in Capital City. Seeing that she was a woman, he naturally worried about her traveling at night. His intentions were kind.
This improved Liu E's opinion of him somewhat-unless, of course, he had some less innocent purpose in wanting her to stay overnight.
In truth, Liu E's initial impression of Mr. Li had not been particularly good.
Liu E could not imagine the lands beyond Qi Province.
In Liu E's understanding of the world,