The rebuilding of Dyeing Street had progressed quickly. In four or five days, most of the road had already been paved with large bluestone slabs, though the streetsides were still all but deserted.
Ye Jingtang rode back to Twin Osmanthus Alley. Luo Ning jumped down first and kept her distance from him, lest Little Yunli discover Master’s Wife was sneaking around with a man.
Ye Jingtang arrived outside the courtyard and glanced around. There were actually still lights burning inside. On the paper window of the main room was the silhouette of a girl, a brush in each hand, writing furiously...
Having been through it himself, Ye Jingtang naturally understood why-before leaving, Heroine Luo had assigned Yunli homework and said she would return in about five days. Little Yunli had probably gotten carried away playing and only stayed up to catch up on her homework when doom was upon her.
Luo Ning vaulted over the courtyard wall. At the sight, her expression darkened slightly, just like any mother's.
"Yunli!"
"Huh? Master’s Wife, why are you back now? I'm studying hard by my cold window..."
Luo Ning turned and fetched a little wooden stick from outside the kitchen, ready to go inside and discipline her girl.
Ye Jingtang felt considerable sympathy for Little Yunli and hurried forward to smooth things over.
"Don't stay up late again. Look, you've made Master’s Wife angry."
Creak-
The main room's door opened. Dressed like a pampered young lady, Zhe Yunli ran out with a saber hanging behind her waist, her little face rather apprehensive. Only when she saw Ye Jingtang helping hold Luo Ning back did she breathe a sigh of relief. She shot him a look that said, "You're a true friend!" then took out a little bamboo tube.
"Master’s Wife, a message arrived