As Dyeing Street underwent renovations, merchants and shop assistants moved in, and the houses behind the shops naturally no longer stood empty. Scattered lights dotted the once-deserted neighborhood.
Luo Ning led her horse down Dyeing Street, looking around at the changes. Niao Niao perched on the horse's head, eyeing the snacks in Luo Ning's hand and occasionally letting out a "Coo-coo, cheep-cheep~" to cozy up to her.
When they reached the entrance to Twin Osmanthus Alley, Luo Ning raised a hand for silence and left Niao Niao to watch the horse. She tiptoed into the alley, looking like a young mother coming home from work at night and sneaking in to check whether her daughter had behaved.
When Luo Ning arrived at Southern Skies Mountain, Yunli had only been three or four. It was no exaggeration to say she had watched her grow up, and she knew Yunli's temperament well.
By Luo Ning's reckoning, with her away for so long, Yunli must have been playing herself wild. At this hour, she would either be out or frantically copying books to make up her assignments.
But as she approached the gate, Luo Ning unexpectedly heard voices in the courtyard.
"No, I can't help you copy books..."
"There's a restaurant at Dragon Roar Tower whose head chef calls himself the 'Chef Immortal.' His vinegar fish is one of the Capital City's finest dishes. Copy ten pages for me, and I'll take you there in a bit..."
"I have money. I'll go eat there myself later."
"Hey! You... remember to bring me a portion too..."
??
Hearing Ping'er's voice, Luo Ning stopped dead. The pleasure of returning to her little home vanished, replaced by the panic of an adulterous wife whose husband had come knocking.
Her first impulse was to turn and