"True enough."
Recalling how the higher-ups of those forbidden lands had behaved earlier, An Lingzhen nodded in wholehearted agreement.
She put away the Jade Slip, then asked:
"How long do you plan to stay at Xuanjian Mansion this time, Prefectural Lord?"
"I still have things to do outside."
Ye Li answered succinctly:
"I'm leaving right away."
"..."
The hands massaging his shoulders stopped at once.
The smile on Ye Shenfeng's face stiffened as well.
An Lingzhen sounded a little disappointed:
"So soon?"
"I was going to say, now that you've finally dealt with all those accumulated troubles, it's time you enjoyed life a little."
"I was just enjoying life."
Ye Li's expression remained unchanged as he said:
"Besides, I came back this time because I had things to do."
"Now, just about everything that needed doing is done."
"Naturally, it's time to leave."
Hearing that,
An Lingzhen could hardly urge him to stay any longer. She could only nod gently:
"I understand."
"You're swamped with responsibilities now, Prefectural Lord. You must have plenty of other matters to handle, so you really can't stay here forever."
"But if you get the chance... do come back to visit more often."
Ye Li replied casually:
"We'll see when I get the chance."
With that,
he turned to glance at Ye Shenfeng behind him.
After briefly sensing the aura she gave off, he couldn't help saying:
"Your cultivation is progressing a little slowly."
"..."
Ye Shenfeng's already gloomy mood took another blow.
She withdrew her hands and came around to stand before Ye Li, looking dejected:
"It really isn't fast."
"But I've been working very hard lately."
"Apart from handling Xuanjian Mansion's affairs, I've spent all my time cultivating."
"But at this rate, I'm still at least a dozen years of arduous cultivation away