Ran Yan walked out of the arch just in time to meet Lady Dongyang coming from the Inner Gate.
She still had that distant look in her eyes, but had become much thinner and her complexion was pale. Dressed in plain clothes, she looked ethereal, as if she was not of this world.
Ran Yan slightly bowed to her.
Lady Dongyang nodded her head and approached with the help of her maid.
"Please come inside and sit, Great Aunt," Ran Yan said.
Lady Dongyang looked towards the gazebo in the courtyard, her voice somewhat weak, "It's a bit stuffy inside, let's sit in the gazebo."
It was only evening, and the heat of the afternoon lingered; actually, it was even more suffocating outside than inside. But since the guest had chosen the spot, Ran Yan followed her there.
The two knelt on the mats in the gazebo, and Ran Yan asked, "You don't look well, Great Aunt. Are you ill?"
