With the scholars and butler mediating, the botanist and gourmet were temporarily separated, but the looks they exchanged were anything but friendly; clearly, this matter was far from over.
Mr. Wen had yet to return, and Harry showed no signs of leaving, comfortably indulging in the estate's food and drink. Xu Huo had few daily tasks and generally spent his time conversing with Harry, wandering the garden, and watching Mrs. Ti Hui.
By dusk the following day, Mrs. Ti Hui finally took away a hummingbird.
The hummingbird was brought back to her room only after her potion proved ineffective. Later that night, Xu Huo inquired with a servant responsible for delivering daily necessities and learned that the hummingbird in the cage at Mrs. Ti Hui's bedside had transformed into a Red Feathered Hummingbird. It was unlike the fake left by the photographer; this hummingbird's red feathers were not yet fully grown, needing another day or two.
