Lu Changfeng followed Ink Jade southeast.
The sun sank in the west, staining the clouds on the horizon gold and crimson.
Beyond Chang'an City and across the Chan River, the terrain gradually opened up.
Ink Jade flew ahead at an unhurried pace, sometimes circling, sometimes accelerating, as though leading the way-or checking for a tail.
Lu Changfeng was in no hurry.
He strode through the dusk, his robes fluttering, following leisurely behind Ink Jade.
After a little under an hour, Ink Jade flew toward a small hill.
The hill was low and thickly wooded. A stream trickled down through it to join the river at its foot. Beside the stream stood a small courtyard nestled between hill and water, its surroundings serene. Its low walls were built of blue bricks and covered in vines. A few osmanthus branches reached over the wall, their faint fragrance drifting on the evening breeze.
This was one of Luo Qingge's retreats outside the city.
The scenery was as beautiful as ever.
Ink Jade landed on the osmanthus tree in the courtyard and turned to wink at Lu Changfeng.
Lu Changfeng pushed open the courtyard gate, crossed the bluestone path, and entered the wooden house.
The house was small and simply furnished: a zither table, a bookcase, a bed, and a window.
The window stood open. The last rays of the setting sun streamed inside, bathing the entire room in warm orange light.
Luo Qingge sat behind the zither table, her fingers resting on the strings as she tuned them.
Today she wore a pale blue-green dress, her hair loosely pinned up, a few stray locks hanging beside her ears. The sunset fell across her face, gilding her gentle features.
At the sound of footsteps, she looked up and smiled.
Her smile was soft and