"We'll save the pleasantries for later. Standing outside for most of the day, my legs are sore. Let's rest first, then quickly bring over the wine and dishes." Lu Qing waved his fan at Liu Yueyao, signaling her to hurry.
Liu Yueyao covered her mouth with her round fan and chuckled softly, gesturing for the two to follow her.
Zhu Yu and Lu Qing followed behind Liu Yueyao, passing through a moon-white curtain. The sound of strings and bamboo instruments grew slightly softer, replaced by some noisy chatter.
Zhu Yu noticed that the road ahead diverged into two directions: one going up and the other down. The noisy sounds were coming from the downward direction, and one could even hear the sounds of drinking games.
Liu Yueyao, however, guided them up the branching path, ascended a flight of stairs to another level. Up here, it was much quieter, with a faint and subtle fragrance in the corridors that wasn't too overpowering.
