Whoosh!
Qingtao landed beside Xuemei as if she had been standing there all along, with just the fluttering corner of her green robe revealing her sudden appearance.
"Ah!" Xuemei jumped in surprise and huddled closer to her. "Where did you come from?" she asked, staring at Qingtao with wide-eyed astonishment.
However, Qingtao ignored her and bowed to Lin Jiaojiao: "Your Royal Highness."
"Hmm."
Lin Jiaojiao nodded slightly. She was not wary of Qingtao in the first place. If Qingtao overheard her, Yan Sihan would certainly understand her intentions as well.
Without lingering, she led her entourage towards Mrs. Wu's Orchid Court. Her second brother was still at the Lushan Academy, so Mrs. Wu's life would certainly be difficult.
Madam Shen's usual tactic was to withhold the silver taels from each manor. Now that winter was upon them, life would be tough without any charcoal fire in the house.
As they walked, they encountered Qingyue and Qingxue near the dried-up lotus pond.
