By the time Lu Changfeng returned to the Princess's Residence with Luo Qingge and Bai Qianqian, night had fully fallen.
In early spring, most of the plum blossoms had already faded. Only a few clusters of lingering red remained on the branches, lending the twilight a distinct, chilly elegance.
Outside the Snow Listening Tower, Qing Dai was already waiting with six Plum Blossom Guards.
All seven wore fitted martial attire, short blades at their waists. The instant they saw Lu Changfeng, they bowed in unison.
"Greetings, sir!"
Qing Dai raised her head, her gaze flicking over Bai Qianqian and Luo Qingge behind Lu Changfeng. A subtle, complicated emotion flashed through her eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
She belonged to him. Whatever he ordered, she would do. Anything else was not hers to dwell on.
Lu Changfeng nodded slightly, signaling them to rise. His gaze swept over the roomful of beauties, and he suddenly felt that something was not quite right.
Qing Dai was his personal maid, so naturally she stayed by his side. Snow Robe fluttered down onto his shoulder, endlessly repeating, "Master's back! Master's back!" Mo Li lay lazily on the plush rug in a corner of the hall, lifting a tiger's head to glance at him and offering a yawn by way of greeting.
Luo Qingge and Bai Qianqian stood beside him, one in robes whiter than snow, aloof as an immortal, the other with hair cascading like a waterfall and beauty that could topple cities and kingdoms. Half a foot separated them. They could hardly be called close, but at least they were at peace.
And then there was the one currently nurturing a child in her womb...
An exceedingly peculiar impression suddenly came over Lu Changfeng.
He felt that his present treatment practically rivaled that