"To answer Your Highness, this is the place."
Another voice answered, sounding like a guard or attendant.
"Mm."
The deep voice responded, "Open the door."
The shell door was slowly pushed open from outside, and an imposing middle-aged man strode in.
He was tall, dressed in a deep purple brocade robe, with a golden belt at his waist and cloud-patterned boots on his feet.
His hair was black, his features sharply defined, and there were no dragon horns on his forehead.
But several fine purple scales covered his temples on either side, gleaming faintly in the moonlight.
On closer inspection, his features bore some resemblance to Zi Yuner's.
Zi Tianya.
He stood at the courtyard entrance, his gaze passing over the courtyard to settle on Lin Shisan.
His eyes were bottomless, like two deep pools, their surfaces still and calm, yet with hidden currents surging beneath.
He looked at Lin Shisan as though examining prey, scrutinizing him, confirming something.
Lin Shisan walked over and cupped his hands. "Junior Lin Shisan pays his respects, Senior."
Zi Tianya stood there quietly, his gaze lingering on Lin Shisan for a full three or four breaths. "You're Lin Shisan?"
"Yes, I am Lin Shisan."
"Mm." Zi Tianya stepped into the courtyard, shifting his gaze from Lin Shisan to sweep over its furnishings. "That child Yun'er is far too thoughtless. You've come such a long way, yet she's put you in such humble quarters. If word got out, people would think our Dragon Palace knew nothing of hospitality."
"The princess has made very thoughtful arrangements. I'm already quite satisfied."
Lin Shisan's tone was courteous, but his bearing was neither servile nor overbearing.
Zi Tianya's gaze returned to Lin Shisan, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly.
"You certainly know what to say."
He sat