Ruhuahua carried the tray and hurried out of the flower hall, darting through the corridor and pushing open the door to her room. No sooner had she crossed the threshold than she swung the door shut behind her, her movements fluid and hurried, as if a malevolent ghost were nipping at her heels.
Leaning against the door, Ruhuahua caught her breath for a moment before taking two steps forward to place the breakfast tray onto the table. She pulled out a chair and sat down, pressing a hand to her chest. She hadn't overestimated herself; sure enough, the moment she saw Zhongli Ting, her only instinct had been to scramble away.
After a brief pause, she took a spoonful of porridge from the bowl, tasting nothing as she swallowed it. She had barely begun her meal when a sudden knock sounded at her door. Perhaps it was because her nerves were so frayed, but she hadn't even heard the footsteps.
Chapter 167