Just like that, the meeting ended, and three of the Ten Elites—Marquis Yu, Han Dong, and Kou Tianyou—stood up to take their leave.
Kou Xuan didn't get up; he just nodded toward the three, then waved lightly at his younger brother, Kou Yu.
Understanding, Kou Yu stood up and escorted the three out.
After the four had left, Kou Xuan sat there quietly for a while, not moving until he'd finished the last sip of tea, then finally stood up and left the reception hall.
Back in his own study, Kou Xuan walked behind his desk and sat down. The maid hurried over and obediently prepared him a cup of tea.
The fragrance of tea drifted softly. Kou Xuan glanced at the hanging clock across from his desk—11 o'clock at night.
Then he lowered his head and picked up an intelligence report to review.
With no one else in the room, only the rustling sound of pages turning could be heard in the study.
No telling how much time passed—perhaps ten minutes, perhaps half an hour.
