Aran followed Yinshuang, Yinling, and the others toward Guanju Courtyard. Passing by Chengyang Courtyard, she paused for a moment, but after a few seconds, she continued on her way.
When they reached Guanju Courtyard and entered, the servants and maids within—prompted by Grand Eunuch Bai’s apprentice, Xiao Xizi, who announced, "Miss Ran is here"—all stood in neat rows before her. Yinshuang and the others behind her also took their places in the line according to their rank.
"Greetings, Miss Ran," Xiao Xizi and the others chimed in unison. There were twelve people in the courtyard in total, men and women alike. Xiao Xizi had been assigned by Grand Eunuch Bai to manage the grounds, along with six maids to attend to Aran’s daily needs and five laborers to maintain the courtyard.
"Miss Ran, the meal has been prepared. Please, follow me," Xiao Xizi said, leading the way into the main hall of Guanju Courtyard.
The table was set with sixteen dishes of varying sizes, including soups, medicinal porridge, pastries, and side dishes. After one look, Aran could hold back no longer. Without a word to Xiao Xizi or the others, she turned on her heel, left the hall, exited Guanju Courtyard, and walked into Chengyang Courtyard, which was separated only by a wall.
Having suffered from significant blood loss, Chu Hengyuan was reclining on the divan by the window in the bedroom of Chenyang Pavilion, a book in his hand. To protect Ranran, he had been busy concealing the traces of his injuries, even going so far as to leak word to the palace that he had caught a cold, which excused him from attending the early morning court sessions for the past few days.
Hearing footsteps approaching from the outer room—the distinct, light tread of a woman—Chu Hengyuan smiled without revealing his thoughts, though he hadn't turned a single page of the book in his hand.
"This subordinate pays respects to the Prince. I do not understand the meaning of these gestures, and I ask the Prince to take them back," Aran said, heading straight to the point as she stood before him.
Chu Hengyuan set his book aside and looked Aran over, thinking to himself, *So, my Ranran is this beautiful.*
She was like a lotus rising from clear water, untouched by the sculptor’s chisel; graceful as a startled swan, supple as a swimming dragon, she was like the bright moon in the sky. He could think of no better words to describe his Ranran. The noble ladies of the Capital were either affectedly demure or possessed a certain small-minded pettiness. His Ranran was different.
"I have never had the habit of taking back what I have given. These things rightfully belong to Ranran. If you do not like them, just throw them away. You are their mistress, and you may dispose of them however you please. Is that all you came here to say, Ranran? Or perhaps you were just reluctant to leave me and used this as an excuse to visit? Look, my chest still aches." Chu Hengyuan looked at Aran with a pitiful expression, even grabbing her hand and guiding it toward his wound.
Aran jerked her hand away as if she had been electrocuted. The man before her was acting like a rogue, his skin as thick as a city wall. Was this really the Chu Hengyuan she knew? The decisive, ruthless "Living Yama"?
"Prince, this subordinate does not have the fortune to accept such things. I beg the Prince to grant my request." But Chu Hengyuan acted as if he hadn't heard a word, constantly steering the conversation elsewhere.
"You arrived so early, Ranran. I wonder if you have eaten breakfast yet? I haven't eaten myself. Why don't you join me?" With that, he summoned the attendants outside to set the meal immediately.
A young attendant brought a small table to the divan, arranged the breakfast neatly, and then wisely withdrew. Chu Hengyuan decided he would promote that attendant later.
"Sit down, Ranran, and eat with me." He gestured to the divan opposite the small table.
"Prince, this subordinate has already eaten." *Eating with Chu Hengyuan would be worse than not eating at all,* Aran thought.
"Then feed me, Ranran. You see, I am a patient now; it is quite inconvenient for me to eat on my own." Chu Hengyuan had found another way to secure more time alone with her.