Consort Dong's expression grew incomparably grave. She slowly let out a breath and murmured:
"This really is… troublesome. I only came to stroll around anyway, and incidentally deliver myself to your door.
Look at you, heartless as ever—come help Her Ladyship check on Miss Donggong's progress… Who'd have thought we'd run headlong into something of this scale."
As she spoke, her slender fingers tapped idly at the air. Candlelight cast shallow shadows across her lovely face, revealing a trace of hesitation.
Chen Yi had been quietly observing the changes in her expression. Seeing the flicker in her eyes, that taut string in his heart immediately tightened again, and he asked aloud, "What are you thinking?"
Consort Dong jolted at his sudden question. She lifted her eyes, meeting his scrutinizing gaze.
