Fengyu Inn - Lianzhou City
The first light of dawn painted the sky in hues of soft orange and pink, casting a gentle glow over the quiet streets of Capital Xuanjing. At the entrance of Fengyu Inn, the rhythmic stomping of hooves echoed in the crisp morning air as Lin Liangchen and Zhou Jinyu sat astride their horses, ready to depart. A thin mist clung to the rooftops, and the scent of damp earth mixed with the distant fragrance of blooming osmanthus.
Despite the beauty of the morning, a heavy silence hung between them.
Zhou Jinyu adjusted the reins in his hands before stealing a glance at his lord. Lin Liangchen was unusually quiet, his gaze fixed ahead, yet his grip on the reins was tighter than necessary.
Unable to ignore the tension, Zhou Jinyu spoke. "My Lord, is something troubling you?" He hesitated before adding, "Won't you bid farewell to Miss Feng?"