After lunch, Xiang Yun and Nanny Xie bid farewell to Cai Wei and, under the escort of the four protectors from Duke Li Guo's Mansion, returned to the State Duke's Mansion.
Upon arriving at her residence, the Cool Autumn Pavilion, the girl on duty in the courtyard saw Xiang Yun returning and hurriedly said, "The Young Madam has come back."
Then she rushed to open the curtain. Xiang Yun, who had consumed some liquor today, was slightly unsteady on her feet. She held onto Nanny Xie's hand and had just stepped onto the threshold when suddenly, she heard a tender cry from behind her, "Young Madam, please wait!"
As Xiang Yun turned around, she saw a svelte woman veiled by a face veil, being assisted by a maid, crossing the courtyard toward her. The woman, wearing a light purple beizi and a bracelet of violet jade, walked with a swaying grace, fragile as a willow supported by the wind. It was that odious Du Wanqing!
