The morning mist of the General's Mansion had not yet dissipated when Lu Jingyuan was already practicing his swordplay in the martial arts courtyard. Jiang Wan stood under the veranda, watching the cold glint of light trailing from his sword as he swung it, thinking of the blood-stained golden hairpin brought back by the secret guard from the ruined temple last night. Her fingertips involuntarily tightened around her embroidered handkerchief.
"Jingyuan," she called out to the man as he withdrew his sword, "can you take me with you to the yamen today? I want to see the defense map of West City."
Lu Jingyuan wiped his sweat with a handkerchief, his gaze sweeping over the four guards behind her. "Didn't we agree that you would stay in the mansion? Yesterday's intelligence report from the secret guard showed that the remnants of the Blood Hand Alliance are still active in West City."
Chapter 197