The bright moon hung overhead, behind the Walled Settlement.
In the room where Ye Jingtang was staying, Perfected Person Xuanji's Veil Hat had been turned upside down on the table and lined with a soft cushion, becoming a temporary bird's nest.
Niao Niao lay in the Bamboo Hat with its head tilted. Having slept its fill, it flipped upright, looked around, then hopped onto the window to search the courtyard:
"Chirp chirp?"
Unfortunately, its three wet nurses and Tangtang were all absent. The courtyard was empty and silent.
Utterly bewildered, Niao Niao flew onto the roof to search. After only a few glances, it spotted a group of four returning from the mountains behind the stockade.
Niao Niao had intended to fly over and act cute, but halfway there, it noticed something was amiss.
On the mountain path behind the Walled Settlement, Dongfang Liren walked at the front, head high and chest out. Her expression was quite stern, and she said nothing, looking imposing without being angry.
Three paces behind her, Perfected Person Xuanji followed with her sword. Her expression was as breezy as ever, but her face was red. Whenever Dongfang Liren turned around, she promptly lowered her head, the words "guilty conscience" practically written across her face.
A few paces farther back, the young couple walked together.
Fan Qinghe carried a basket containing wooden lots and other sundries, while Ye Jingtang held the blanket. No one supported him now. Several times, he tried to speak, only to stop short.
Seeing this, Niao Niao reckoned Tangtang had caused serious trouble. Afraid hatred of the house might extend to its bird, it decisively landed back on the roof and spread its wings in greeting from a considerable distance:
"Chirp~"
At the sight of Niao Niao, some of the chill left