"I never expected that we would meet again," Li Shaonan said, his eyes bright and piercing as he appraised Zuo Xiangning. "Did you already have an exit plan in mind, which is why you refused to leave with me?"
"I certainly didn't have that kind of foresight," Zuo Xiangning said with a laugh, gesturing for someone to pour tea for Li Shaonan. "How did your previous assignment turn out?"
"The task I was on before was assigned by the Late Emperor. If it had been completed well, returning and taking up a Fifth Rank idle position would have been no problem at all," Li Shaonan said, taking a sip of tea and smiling bitterly. "But when I returned to the capital, it coincided with the New Emperor's ascension... And naturally, the task I was on was left unresolved."
"Don't be impatient, gold will shine sooner or later," Zuo Xiangning said with a reassuring smile.
