Running water surrounded the pavilion, and a few plump koi swam lazily in the emerald-green pond.
The socialites' laughter carried that familiar, practiced reserve; they covered their mouths with their hands, letting out delicate "hehehe" titters with ambiguous smiles.
A small group of women chatted amiably, but Liu Qing sat off to one side, her face dark with fury.
Chapter 61