The guards at the rear of the procession all began keeping a careful watch. A commander hurried to Huang Xiao's side to ask for instructions. "Lord Huang, a group of riders has come up behind us..."
Before he could finish, however, Huang Xiao waved a hand. "It's all right. I'll go take a look."
With that, Huang Xiao turned his horse around and rode toward the group.
"Lord Huang!" As Huang Xiao rode up to the front of the group, the curtain of a sedan chair lifted halfway, revealing You Lian'er.
Since Huang Xiao knew it was You Lian'er, he told the guards not to worry and to keep moving.
"Weren't you returning home, miss? Why are you following us?" Huang Xiao rode beside You Lian'er's sedan chair, asking as they went.
"I was going home, but I suddenly changed my mind. I intend to visit you at the Envoy Residence, Lord Huang," You Lian'er said.
"The Envoy Residence?" Huang Xiao asked, somewhat puzzled.
"What? Am I not welcome, my lord?" You Lian'er asked.
"How could that be? Of course you're welcome. Most welcome," Huang Xiao hastily said. "It's just that the Envoy Residence is rather shabby. I'm afraid you'll laugh at it, miss."
"A pool need not be deep; with a dragon, it has spirit!" You Lian'er said with a smile. "Besides, the Envoy Residence is, after all, meant to receive envoys from other nations. How shabby could it be? You really do jest, Lord Huang."
Huang Xiao smiled. He did not know why You Lian'er wanted to visit him at the Envoy Residence, but he had no reason to stop her from coming.
Just as he was about to speak, his expression suddenly changed sharply.
"Stay on guard!" But before his words had finished ringing out, more than