Baozhu's donkey had been struck by a dart and taken to the stables to have the poison drawn out and its wound treated. For now, it could not move. She hurried out of the reception hall and called for Steward Pang, asking for a mount so she could return to the inn for a surprise check. Steward Pang arranged it at once and sent four household servants along with her. Thirteenth Son also abandoned the sesame sweets on his plate and followed.
The others heard someone shouting curses on the far side of the wall, apparently because someone had forcibly taken his horse. Mocking smiles appeared on all their faces.
Only after those two had galloped off toward Lingbao County town, one after the other, did the members of the Setting Sun Courtyard finally breathe easy, free of the hateful feeling of being watched all day. At the thought of the Green-Robed Wanderer fleeing in a panic, they broke into laughter, high and low, some shrill, some sinister, some vicious, drawing many uneasy looks from those around them.
Once they had laughed their fill, Huo Qilang again urged the losers to hand over their gold and settle the wager. Xu Baozhen paid readily, but Tuoba Sanniang refused. After fiercely downing several cups of wine, she suddenly said, "If we extend the wager until tomorrow, I won't necessarily lose."
Knowing how fiercely competitive she was, unwilling to concede even over trifles, Huo Qilang smiled. "I doubt those two youngsters' relationship will make any great breakthrough in a single day and night."
Tuoba Sanniang said, "Of course it won't if we leave them alone. But that sick little kitten has been hit with four or five poisons in succession. Even if he can still fight while dragging around all those injuries and