Luo Ding learned that Luo Zhan had visited Luo Ye’s residence late last night and left only in the early hours, and shortly after, Luo Ye had almost met with an incident. Connecting these two events, Luo Zhan was most likely involved. Luo Ding was pleased to see Luo Zhan and Luo Ye at odds and thus tried to probe Luo Zhan with his words.
Yu Yi was listening to Meng Qing and Luo Ding’s conversation when she suddenly heard a maidservant greeting the prince’s consort outside. When she walked to the outer room, Shu Lan had just entered. Yu Yi performed a half-kneeling male courtesy to her.
Shu Lan had only learned that morning that Luo Zhan had brought back a woman last night. Luo Zhan had been keeping her at a distance recently, which had already made Shu Lan feel frustrated. Now, allowing a strange woman to stay in the Sheng Xue Yuan adjacent to the main courtyard made Shu Lan even more unsettled.
Shu Lan had specially changed into a dress that best showcased her elegant demeanor. She had carefully applied makeup, styled her hair in the recent popular capital hairstyle, and wore the set of East Pearl jewelry gifted by the Empress Dowager during the mid-autumn audience. She brought four of her most trusted maidservants to visit this Yi lady at Sheng Xue Yuan.
Shu Lan had arrived at Sheng Xue Yuan with a combative spirit, but was surprised to find that this Yi lady was dressed in plain men’s clothing, with a man’s hairstyle, and an extremely ordinary appearance.
At first glance, Shu Lan was shocked, then inwardly laughed. How could Luo Zhan be infatuated with such a woman? With her suspicions dispelled, Shu Lan’s demeanor softened. She smiled and asked Yu Yi to rise, inquiring about her comfort in Sheng Xue Yuan and if she needed anything.
Yu Yi casually responded to Shu Lan while simultaneously listening to Meng Qing and Luo Ding’s conversation through her earpiece.
Shu Lan did not notice her divided attention, merely thinking the Yi lady was somewhat reserved, perhaps shy from their first meeting. After talking for a while and finding no particular connection, Shu Lan left Sheng Xue Yuan.
At noon, Meng Qing returned to his residence and then went to Sheng Xue Yuan.
