At dusk, Jia Huan left his office and returned home.
Water Skimmer and his party had reached Liaodong that morning. They would need at least several more days to pinpoint the Vicious Fiends of Goryeo.
He had to wait quietly.
Once the Carrier Pigeon Dispatch arrived, he would head east at once!
As soon as he returned to his courtyard, he found a breathtakingly beautiful woman in the Warm Chamber. She wore an embroidered pleated skirt, her skin snowy white and delicate, her eyes tender and enchanting. Her beauty was dazzling, enough to steal one's breath.
Concubine Zhao, her hair adorned with pearls and jade, said with a beaming smile:
"Huan'er, this is Qin Keqing, the daughter of Qin Ye, Construction Director of the Ministry of Works. The Construction Director Qin is overseeing the entire construction of the Dingguo Duke's residence. Ke Qing and I felt we had met far too late, so I invited her here as a guest."
Qin Keqing lowered her lovely head slightly. A timid smile rested on her palm-sized oval face. After dipping in a curtsey, she said softly:
"My respects, Lord Commanding Commissioner."
Jia Huan nodded lightly.
Wang Xifeng, Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, and the others exchanged glances. A single backward glance and smile from Qin Keqing could awaken a hundred charms. There could be no finer beauty beneath heaven.
The alluring young matron teased:
"Brother Huan, you owe Miss Qin quite a debt."
Wang Xifeng felt a sour pang of jealousy, but dared not show it before everyone.
"Then tell us about it," Concubine Zhao interjected.
Wang Xifeng lifted the corners of her eyes and spoke with the lilting cadence of an opera performer:
"The Eastern Mansion never dared send betrothal gifts, yet held Miss Qin up for three years. During that time,