Elsewhere.
After leaving the Imperial Palace, Xie Jinhuan returned to the Eldest Princess's Residence. Along the way, he discovered that the maids and guards were all discussing how he had charged into the enemy ranks alone, fighting his way in and out seven times. There were even tales of how a single roar from him at Shenshang Gorge had scared the Prince of Andong out of his wits. They told it as though they had been there themselves, yet their accounts were wildly far-fetched.
Xie Jinhuan paid little attention to this. He first went to the central residence for a look and saw that the Landlady was meeting with the officials who had accompanied her, discussing yesterday's unrest in Yanjing. Qingmo was there too, serving as an adviser.
He had little interest in official affairs, but if he entered, he would inevitably become the center of the group and have to say a few words. So he did not disturb them and headed to the West Residence first, intending to let Wanyi know he was safe. Instead, the first thing he saw was Great Immortal Zisu lifting the lid of a small pill furnace. Coal Ball was swaying beside her, watching eagerly for food, seemingly hoping for the first taste.
Xie Jinhuan landed silently outside the door and asked with a smile:
"Zisu, what pills are you refining now?"
"Huh? Young Master Xie?"
Lin Zisu held the vermilion pills in a small dish. She stood and approached him, puffing out her chest a little in evident pride:
"Ta-da! Abacus-Spirit Pills! These can make people who are bad at arithmetic calculate several times faster, on par with a veteran bookkeeper. I just developed them. Impressive, right?"
?
Xie Jinhuan was initially bewildered, but after thinking it over, he figured these were