After the little incident at noon, the household quieted down again.
Big Ice Lump and Qingmo were rather annoyed that he had "switched generals on the battlefield" at the worst possible moment. They vanished after the gathering, 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 coming journey first, so he could leave early and return early.
In theory, this trip to Dragonbone Shoal would not be too dangerous as long as he kept his movements secret, but that was only in theory.
Xie Jinhuan's current reputation rivaled Lao Ai's when he spun a carriage wheel in the street. Anyone with a cock understood how great a threat he posed. When it came to seizing the Five Directions' Divine Gift, people would certainly watch his movements.
If he happened to disappear from the Capital City for a month or so, anyone could figure out where he had gone even thinking with their backside. A false identity was one matter; secretly crossing to Chencang under cover of a diversion was another.
At dusk, Xie Jinhuan sat in the Entertainment Hall of the Princess's Residence, holding a booklet listing what the Imperial Court would be doing over the next month or so, such as the Local Officials' Performance Assessment, the Audit of Local Tax Revenues, and the Spring Imperial Examination.
These were all great affairs of state, but they had nothing to do with him and would not serve as excuses for his being busy in the Capital City. After some thought, he said:
"How about I pretend I'm still at home enjoying romance? Duoduo can shyly run out to buy some undergarments every day, and I can release a few poems..."
Wine and snacks sat