When Qi Yu left the Eastern Palace, his steps were considerably lighter than when he had arrived. He stopped in front of the spirit screen and carefully wiped the corners of his mouth with his sleeve, then lowered his head to check his lapels for stray grains of rice. Only after confirming that he had left no evidence of his crime did he walk steadily toward Yuning Hall. A Ping followed behind, holding a packet of Osmanthus Cake that Fu Shun had pressed into his arms. When Fu Shun saw them out, he had lowered his voice and said, "Take care, Your Highness," then glanced back toward the main hall, looking guilty yet utterly justified in his guilt.
Back at Yuning Hall, Qi Yu first went to the Side Hall to see the two rabbits. Gray Rabbit was gnawing on a carrot, while Light Gray Rabbit lay beside him, nudging his neck with his head. Qi Yu crouched down and stroked Gray Rabbit's ears. "You've had a pretty good day, haven't you? Not like me. I've been drinking congee for days." Gray Rabbit's ears twitched, and he continued gnawing on his carrot, apparently without the slightest sympathy for Qi Yu's plight. Qi Yu poked the rabbit's bottom, stood up, and returned to his bedchamber to change into his nightclothes. He washed his face, then wiped each finger clean with a damp cloth. He had picked up minced meat with his hands earlier, and a faint meaty scent still lingered beneath his nails. He sniffed his fingertips and, only after making sure the smell was gone, lay down in bed with his mind at ease.
When Chun He came in with his calming tea, she deliberately gave him a few extra looks. He usually cried hunger less than half an hour