As we continue with Lankan and Maomao's story, it gets emotional. We see Lankan in a different light. The latter half of the book are more like fillers for lightheartedness to balance the heaviness of the first half. Less of mystery solving here though. Maybe the bookseller will come back in future volume.

The mention of the  Consort Loulan and her father seemed out of place. Not sure if that was also another set up for future plot...

I love how everyone is fond of the cat! It is rare to have cats as the attraction. Many books favor dogs or even villanize cats.