Thus, Aran and Chu Hengyuan clung to each other in sweet affection, utterly inseparable. Later, nobody knew how the conversation turned, but Chu Hengyuan ended up staying the night at Guanju Courtyard. After bathing, Chu Hengyuan and Aran held each other and fell fast asleep, so exhausted that they drifted off to dreamland before long.
After sleeping for a little over four hours, just as the Hour of the Tiger passed, Xiao Xizi woke Chu Hengyuan up for the morning court session. Perhaps because Chu Hengyuan was by her side, Aran was sleeping so soundly that she did not wake up at all. Fearing to disturb her, Chu Hengyuan picked up his clothes and quietly went to the outer room to freshen up. By the time he finished washing and dressing, Aran still showed no sign of waking.
"Let your mistress sleep a bit longer. Keep her breakfast warm and serve it whenever she wakes up. Move quietly when you pass through here, and don't wake her!" Chu Hengyuan gave explicit instructions to Xiao Xizi, who was in charge there, as he headed out the door of Guanju Courtyard.
Chapter 179