At 5:45 a.m., Jiang Wan stood before the bronze mirror, pinning a jade hair accessory into her hair. As Qiaoyun entered carrying a moon-white cloak, her gaze rested on the new safety knot tied around Jiang Wan’s wrist. "Miss, you are visiting Miss Su today. Should you bring some guards?"
"There is no need," Jiang Wan said, picking up a honey-preserved plum from the table. "We are only going to watch a play; bringing too many people would only draw unnecessary attention." Before she could finish, a commotion rose from outside the window. A servant from the gatehouse was helping a mud-streaked young man stagger into the courtyard. The man’s right ankle was badly swollen, and he clutched a scroll of books to his chest.
"Where is this place?" The youth coughed up muddy water, his voice weak but clear. "I accidentally fell into a pond while traveling. I hope you might extend a little kindness..."
Chapter 61