After the little incident at noon, the household quieted down again.
Big Ice Lump and Qingmo were rather annoyed that he had "changed generals on the battlefield" at the worst possible moment. They disappeared after the meeting, perhaps also avoiding each other.
Xie Jinhuan went to coax them, only to be turned away at both doors. He could only prepare for the journey ahead first, so he could leave early and return early.
In theory, this trip to Dragonbone Shoal would not be too risky as long as his movements remained concealed, but that was only in theory.
Xie Jinhuan's current fame rivaled that of Lao Ai spinning a cartwheel in the street. Anyone with a dick understood how great a threat he posed, and anyone competing for the Five Directions' Divine Gift would certainly keep an eye on his movements.
If he happened to vanish from the Capital City for a month or so, even someone thinking with their backside would know what he had gone off to do. A false identity was one matter; secretly advancing through Chencang while making a show elsewhere was another.
At dusk, Xie Jinhuan sat in the Entertainment Hall of the Princess's Residence, holding a booklet listing the Imperial Court's business for the coming month or so, such as the Local Officials' Performance Assessment, the Audit of Local Tax Revenues, and the Spring Imperial Examination.
These were all important affairs of state, but they had nothing to do with him and made poor excuses for keeping him busy in the Capital City. After some thought, he said:
"Why don't I pretend I'm still at home indulging in romance? Duoduo can run out all bashful every day to buy some undergarments, and I can put out a few poems and things..."
Wine and snacks