The eunuch did not stay long before rising to take his leave. Duke Xiao personally escorted him to the estate gates, expressing once more his profound gratitude to the Emperor. With a smile, the eunuch said, "Lord Duke, His Majesty holds great expectations for you, and trusts you will continue to make even greater contributions to the nation and the people." Duke Xiao nodded solemnly, watching as the eunuch departed in the distance.
In the inner courtyard, Wang Lianqiu maintained a calm and unruffled expression as she addressed her companions at the table: "Please excuse me for a moment, my friends, I need to step out to the latrine." With a slight nod of acknowledgment, she led her personal maid away in a hurry. However, the purported trip to the privy was merely a ruse; her true objective was to have her quick-witted maid summon Xiao Ao so they could jointly discuss their operational plan for the day.
At that moment, Xiao Ao was some distance away, laughing and frolicking noisily with a group of dissolute young companions. Even so, upon receiving Wang Lianqiu's message, he managed to slip away from his fair-weather friends and made his way to the designated rendezvous according to their prior arrangement.
Chapter 291