Zheng'an Street, Prince's Manor.
In the early morning, fine rain drifted down. Maids in colorful robes came and went through the western residence's garden, carrying all manner of dishes into the little lakeside pavilion.
Coal Ball crouched beside the low table, a napkin embroidered with little dried fish tied around its neck, bobbing its head as it waited for breakfast to begin.
Linghu Qingmo had spent all last night watching at Ye Shirong's residence and had barely slept. Now he sat sideways beside Coal Ball, gazing toward the distant entrance to the covered walkway and thinking to himself:
You went straight to Doctor Lin's house after kissing me, and you still haven't come back this morning...
I said I wasn't angry, so you really just stopped bothering?
Once you've used up those three chances, I definitely won't speak to you...
Commandery Princess Changning leaned against the curved bench, a small bowl in her hand as she fed the brilliantly colored koi in the lake, worry lingering in her eyes:
"Xie Jinhuan fought until his robes were shredded last night. Instead of coming back afterward to let Duoduo help him wash up, he vanished. Where did he run off to all night?"
"Goo-ji~"
Coal Ball raised a wing, trying to swipe at Linghu Qingmo's neck, but unfortunately couldn't reach.
Linghu Qingmo gathered his wandering thoughts and stroked Coal Ball.
"He probably went to Doctor Lin's house to recuperate. He's been spending the past two nights there."
"Oh?"
Commandery Princess Changning turned her gaze toward him. "You mean you shamelessly followed Xie Jinhuan all the way to Capital City, only to spend the whole time investigating the case, without even being together at night?"
Linghu Qingmo had been with him on the first day, but Doctor Lin had arrived on the