After making contact with the Azure Dragon Society, Ye Jingtang went to the Wang Family residence. But the guards told him that Wang Jiwen never came home unless he had caused trouble and usually stayed at the prince's residence, so he delivered the painting there instead.
By the time he finished everything and returned to the Eastern Suburbs with the five-spice rabbit heads, the roads were full of carriages and horses heading back into the city, and Evening Rosy Clouds Temple was ablaze with lamplight.
Ye Jingtang reined in outside Ten-Li Slope Town and first surveyed the distance. A large contingent of constables had just wrapped up and was carrying five corpses back toward the city.
The Hua Residence's carriage followed behind them. Hua Junchen was talking to Xue, Hundred-Household Commander, while Hua Qingzhi sat in the carriage behind him, lifting the curtain to look back at Evening Rosy Clouds Temple. There was no telling what she was looking at.
Ye Jingtang needed to investigate Jade Water Forest. If he joined them now, finding an excuse to go out again would be difficult, so he stayed away and quietly circled back to Evening Rosy Clouds Temple from the side.
Among the lodgings for visiting worshippers, Niao Niao was diligently keeping watch. Spotting Ye Jingtang sneaking over from the shadows, the bird poked out its head.
"Chirp~"
Ye Jingtang made a shushing gesture and placed the oilpaper-wrapped rabbit heads on the wall for Niao Niao to eat before approaching the door.
Since they were hiding here, no lamps had been lit inside.
Just as Ye Jingtang approached, Qinghe, who had noticed Niao Niao's movement, opened the door.
Ye Jingtang glanced through the gap. Little Yunli was still lying on her pillow. Her cheeks had returned to normal, but she had yet