From the palace balcony, Yan Wuhen watched the carriage in the courtyard below.
It was already deep into the night. Lanterns illuminated the stone courtyard in soft, golden pools as servants hurried back and forth, loading several heavy chests and artifact boxes into the carriage.
Rong Chao was speaking animatedly with Tang Ruifeng, the latter occasionally barking orders to the attendants while Ningyan stood nearby, casually inspecting the arrangements.
Ningyan looked completely at ease.
Wuhen's nine crimson tails swayed slowly behind him, his red-and-gold eyes fixed intently upon the familiar figure.
The next instant, crimson-gold light erupted around him, and his figure vanished into thin air.
He appeared within a deserted servants' chamber which stood at the far, shadowed edge of the palace.
