Qiuju smiled. "How would I know? I did ask him at the time—how could I tell Qiutong if I didn't even know his name? But that disciple said that as long as Qiutong read this letter, she would know. Thinking about it, I supposed he was right, so I didn't press him further."
"Is that so?" Zhang Xiaohua said with a grin. "Hehe, won't we find out if we look at it now?"
Qiuju shot Zhang Xiaohua a glare. "Xiaohua, you're not a child anymore. Why are you still saying such outlandish things? Never mind that this is Sister Qiutong's private matter and you can't open it without her permission. You also know that this might well be a final letter from a disciple who died for the sect. If you don't deliver it to Sister Qiutong and casually open it yourself, wouldn't that insult the spirit of the deceased?"
Zhang Xiaohua froze, his expression turning solemn. "Sister Qiuju's lesson is absolutely right. I was only joking just now, but I truly hadn't thought that far. Don't worry, I'll keep these two items safe and personally hand them to Sister Qiutong when I see her!"
As he spoke, Zhang Xiaohua carefully took the envelope and the little paper box, tucking them into his robes. "Sister Qiuju, it's getting late. I'm leaving."
Qiuju smiled. "Mm, go on. Be careful on the road. If possible, come back and tell me how they are doing."
"Alright, Sister Qiuju."
"Whatever you do, don't lose those things."
"I know. No problem."
With that, Zhang Xiaohua waved and plunged headfirst into the snowflakes drifting through the night.
Qiuju walked to the doorway and watched Zhang Xiaohua reach the entrance of the small courtyard, turn the corner, and disappear from sight. Only then did she close the