A party of several dozen followed Her Highness the Eldest Princess's empty carriage back into the city.
Linghu Qingmo walked along the street with his sword in hand, accompanied by the older and younger women of the Lin Household, Jing Wuniang, and the others.
After the incident at the Altar of Heaven and Earth at noon, Linghu Qingmo had led Yang Dabiao and the others in pursuit toward Cangyan Mountain. Along the way, they had run into Coal Ball, who had come back for help. The group had searched all afternoon without finding any trace of Xie Jinhuan. Only after word arrived from the city that the Eldest Princess had returned safely did everyone march back.
Lin Wanyi had not been with the group during the day. Instead, she had accompanied Academy Vice Principal Li Jing and the others to Yanjing Academy for an academic exchange. A poetry gathering had been held there, chiefly for talented young men and women from the north and south to compete. Zisu had even gone up and recited an "Autumn Thoughts," something along the lines of:
The rosy face within the mirror changed with passing years; before the window, the bright moon shone upon an empty tower. Since Xie Lang left, no letters came; alone against the railing, she counted the flowing waters...
She had promptly been declared the loser and eliminated. After all, the poem described the scandal between the Empress Dowager and Xie Jinhuan, which certainly was not permitted at an official occasion.
Lin Wanyi had enjoyed the spectacle and originally wanted to return and tell Xie Jinhuan the amusing stories from the academy. Instead, she had heard about the Altar of Heaven and Earth upon her return. She had rushed out with Jing Wuniang and the others to lend support, only