At the hour between 9 and 11 PM, the Imperial Capital fell silent, as if the departure of the royal procession had taken the noise with it.
A team of riders galloped out from Taiye Pond and stopped at the door of the Huitong Hall in East Rongmi Lane. The hall had its lights extinguished, seemingly abandoned.
The leader dismounted and strode into the hall: "Your Highness can come out now."
Footsteps echoed from the stairs as Princess Liyang unexpectedly descended from the darkness, dressed in men's attire, smiling at Lord Bai Long at the bottom of the stairs: "It's an honor to have Lord Bai Long personally escort me out."
Bai Long clasped his hands inside his sleeves, speaking calmly: "Your Highness's esteemed presence deserves grand treatment; I wouldn't be at ease with anyone else sending you off."
Princess Liyang asked: "Is it safe now?"
Bai Long replied placidly: "Chen Ji has drawn all attention away for Your Highness, so it's naturally much safer and secure."
