The next morning, just before dawn, three carriages slowly headed away along the official road outside the East City Gate of Xianggu County...
Xiao Zongting and Ximen Yong stood under the city wall, watching the carriages depart.
The chilly morning breeze stirred their temples, and for a moment, they seemed to have aged considerably.
The three carriages had already turned into three black dots in the distance. Ximen Yong turned to Xiao Zongting and said, "Children have their own fortune. Brother Xiao, I have been presumptuous! May I invite Brother Xiao to my humble abode for a drink?"
Xiao Zongting replied, "I was just thinking of having a drink with you to relieve the frustration in my chest. But you brought it up first!"
As Xiao Zongting spoke, he laughed heartily twice.
Ximen Yong also laughed and said, "Brother Xiao, please!"
"Please!"
