A silver moon hung overhead, and the laughter in the Martial Might Pavilion continued.
Several maids stood in the garden below. Hearing the occasional peals of silvery laughter upstairs, they could not help whispering:
"What on earth is Young Master Xie doing? The commandery princess sounds so happy."
"Maybe he's telling dirty jokes. See how softly he's talking? He doesn't want us hearing..."
"I really want to sneak up and peek."
"Don't go courting death. If you see something you shouldn't, Her Highness might marry you off to Steward Hou..."
Inside the residence on the other side.
Xie Jinhuan slipped silently over the wall. Once he was certain no one had spotted him, he inwardly sighed in relief. He sent Coal Ball back inside to sleep, straightened his robes, then quietly crossed the rear courtyard wall and reached the terrace.
Light blazed behind the sliding door. He could hear Commandery Princess Changning's distinctive, mature voice. Judging by her laughter, she was thoroughly enjoying the company, and even sounded a little shy...
What was A Piao doing?
Xie Jinhuan was utterly baffled, but as long as Commandery Princess Changning had noticed nothing amiss, that was fine. He stood quietly on the terrace, and barely a moment later, Ghost Wife's reminder reached his ears:
"Come in."
Without another word, Xie Jinhuan quietly slid the door open and looked inside.
Rattle-
The fragrance of wine filled the room. Two empty wine flasks sat on the carpet, both on Commandery Princess Changning's side. His own place remained untouched.
Her Highness, dressed in a casual house dress, still sat before the peacock screen, reclining sideways against a soft cushion with one hand supporting her cheek. Whatever she was looking at, she was smiling sweetly into thin air:
"Hehe..."
Xie Jinhuan tiptoed over and sat