After exchanging a few words, the atmosphere between them eased somewhat.
Their emotions had surged in the shadows, but left as gently as a passing cloud, and in less than the time it took to finish half a cup of tea, the day was bright and beautiful again.
Xiao Song was dressed in a crimson official uniform, clearly in an official capacity, so he merely announced his identity, and the gatekeeper let a Servant lead them directly to the courtyard, rather than taking the usual route reserved for guests.
At the same time, another Servant had gone ahead of them to inform the master of the house.
As they crossed through a small courtyard, they hadn't yet left the walkway when they caught the light fragrance of plum blossoms.
The further they proceeded, the more intense the fragrance became. When a dazzling expanse of red plum blossoms came into view, Xiao Song couldn't help but smile at Ran Yan with a teasing glint in his eyes.
