The next day, a fine drizzle brought a measure of coolness to midsummer, and the uneven peaks of Wu Prefecture revealed the beauty of an ink-wash painting amid the veiling clouds and mist.
Near the winding mountain road not far from Iron River Manor, three horses stood in the woods. Niao Niao perched on a treetop, surveying the surroundings on lookout duty, with a green leaf balanced on the bird's head. It seemed meant to keep off the rain, but that overly round body could not possibly hide beneath it; it offered only psychological comfort.
Beneath a large tree, Luo Ning opened an oil-paper umbrella and held it over Ye Jingtang's head.
Pei Xiangjun stood behind him, draping a robe over his shoulders and helping him change as she said softly:
"You've changed identities three times in a row to investigate Bai Siming. If he still can't tell, there must be something wrong with his eyes."
Standing between the two women like the character "嫐," Ye Jingtang smiled and said:
"We're not sure whether Bai Siming is at Iron River Manor. Going as someone from the Black Bureau would beat the grass and startle the snake, and going as someone from the Sky-Pacifying Sect wouldn't make sense. This is our only option. We'll let your Niao Niao scout things out first, then show ourselves if we can't find Bai Siming."
Pei Xiangjun sighed, then turned toward Luo Ning beside them:
"If something goes wrong at Iron River Manor, there'll definitely be a fight. While we have time, aren't you going to give Jingtang a little treatment?"
Luo Ning frowned slightly and gestured at the surrounding woods. "Out in this rainy wilderness? How am I supposed to treat him?"
Pei Xiangjun gave a soft huff. Remembering how she had been forced