Shi Zanxue smiled wordlessly, then turned, veering away from the Garden toward the depths of the Secluded Path, gradually leaving the voices in the Garden behind.
This was probably the Heavenly Mountain Private Domain. They walked along the Lotus Pond until they reached a little pavilion facing the wind, gauze curtains gently fluttering on all four sides.
Shi Zanxue stopped then and turned to smile gently at He Yaoyao, who had been following in a daze. "True Disciple He, I have a few things to discuss with Young Hero Pei alone. You can rest here for a while. Someone will bring tea and refreshments."
He Yaoyao blinked. "Oh."
She stopped and, at Shi Zanxue's invitation, sat on a stone stool in the pavilion. Then she watched the woman in white lead Pei Ye out of the pavilion and into the waterside pavilion beside it, turn around, and close the door.
He Yaoyao sat dazed for a moment, then took her little Sword Manual notebook from her side, spread it on the table, and began reading.
Shi Zanxue and Pei Ye entered. The waterside pavilion overlooking the pond was quiet, cool breezes and spring sunshine flowing in together from the terrace. Shi Zanxue's footsteps were light as well. She went to the terrace by the pond, untied and raised a gauze curtain, and set the wine jug on the table with a tap.
Turning, she drew aside the gauze covering a cupboard and took out two delicate cups, rinsed them with a dipper of clear water, and set them before Pei Ye.
"The attendants are all busy in the front courtyard. Please forgive me, Young Hero Pei." Shi Zanxue smiled faintly, gathered back her sleeve, and poured the young man some wine before sitting down.
"With Miss Shi as my host,