"Them? Who?"
Yi Chengxin lowered her head with a smile and said softly, "Whatever you're investigating, Sister, stop investigating them. Otherwise, by the time you can't get away, it will already be too late."
Li Piaoqing looked at the young woman who was about to be forced into marriage far from home. Just as she was about to speak, an attendant came over from the front hall, interrupting their conversation.
"Miss Yi, the carriages are here."
Yi Chengxin nodded, then inclined her head to Li Piaoqing. "Then this is goodbye, Sister."
Li Piaoqing stared. "Where are you going?"
Yi Chengxin smiled. "The betrothal gifts have been counted. Naturally, I'm going home."
"..."
Yi Chengxin inclined her head again and turned, only for Li Piaoqing's clear voice to sound behind her. "May I come with you?"
Yi Chengxin looked back in mild surprise.
"We've only just met, but it feels as though we're old friends. I'd like to talk with you some more, little sister-since it's a wedding... surely there's room for one more at the table."
Yi Chengxin smiled with pursed lips. "I'd be honored."
Li Piaoqing followed her outside. The street was level and open, and three carriages stood in a neat line before the entrance. A silent young man sat on the driver's seat of the middle carriage. Once the two had climbed aboard and settled in, he flicked his whip lightly, and hooves and wheels rolled forward.
He had not spoken a single word the entire time.
"...As long as you're all right." Though she could not see him, the boy's lingering fright seemed to come through in his voice.
"Xifang Tian fell in love with a woman of the Yi Family back then. His abrupt journey into the mountains most likely had something to do with