Hanyue nodded slowly. "Yes, he did."
It wasn't that Dongpo hadn't told him everything in great detail. He even mentioned that she had asked for a report tomorrow night, in her room.
Who shook him as well she's careless about her reputation.
What Hanyue was more curious about was why His Highness had been there in the first place and how he ended up speaking with Miss Bairan. But unfortunately with Zhouyan's lips sealed tight he knew he would never be able to hear anything.
Dongyan entered the room again.
He clasped his hands respectfully and said, "Master, Master Lin has sent a servant with an invitation. He says there is a special guest and he would like you to join them in the hall for lunch."
Hanyue asked calmly, "Who is his special guest?"
Dongyan replied, "It is his eldest daughter's fiancé—Young Master Lu."
Hanyue nodded thoughtfully.
But beside him, Zhouyan's right hand clenched slowly his expression darkening.
___
After greeting Master Lin and receiving some childish remarks from Ruomei.
Bairan returned to her courtyard.
She was happily chatting with Ruoyu when a servant rushed in and announced breathlessly.
"Young Miss, someone has come,"
Bairan, who was carefully selecting from a palette of desserts before her didn't even raise her head. She said casually
"Who's come?"
The servant smiled happily. "Young Master Lu, he's here."
Bairan's fingers lingered above a sweet pastry. She did not look up only said lazily,
"You mean my fiancé, right?"
Ruoyu 's hand clenched tightly against her sleeve looked at Bairan carefully. When she heard her casual words her brows furrowed for just a moment before smoothing again.
She forced a gentle smile.
"Ruolan-jie … what are you going to do?"
Bairan finally looked up There was surprise flickering in her face.
"About what?"
Ruoyu 's grip tightened even more but still her smile remained graceful.
"He said Young Master Lu is here. Are you… not going to see him?"
And Bao'er said anxiously, "Miss, we should hurry up and change your clothes."
Bairan was even more surprised. "Why should I?"
Bao'er: "..."
Ruoyu opened her mouth to ask again.
But she heard Bairan's lazy voice: "No need to go, and no need to change my clothes. We will go when Father calls us. It's not proper to go like that."
Ruoyu's eyes cast down thoughtfully. Then she asked gently, "Ruolan-jie, you changed?"
Bairan smiled. "Of course, I changed. My head is empty of old memories so only fair for me to act a little differently than before, sister. Don't you think so?"
Ruoyu looked at Bairan's dazzling face for a moment.
Before, every time Young Master Lu came to their house her sister was so happy she couldn't stand still.
But now she didn't have any ripple of excitement on her face as Young Master Lu was no more than a stranger to her.
Did she really not remember anyone or anything? What scares her is that she didn't act a little differently she completely looks like a new person that she doesn't understand at all.
Instead, she said this thought out loud she said softly "Yes it's okay ..but Ruolan-jie what would you do if Master Lu finds out about what happened to you"
Bairan took a delicate bite of the dessert in her hand and smiled faintly.
"He's going to know sooner or later, so why bother hiding it from him?"
Ruoyu's tone was soft and was full of sisterly concern yet her eyes never left Bairan's face.
"But you… You're not worried about his opinion on this matter? What if he no longer wishes to marry you?"
Bairan seemed far more interested in her pastry than in the question. She pointed at the plate and said to Bao'er,
"Pack some for Baian."
Only then did she answer,
"I can't change the fact that I've been absent for a month. He has the right to know about. Whether he withdraws from this marriage or chooses another path—we'll see."
Rouyu's brows knit together. "Another path?"
Bairan lifted her teacup and sipped slowly, smirked, "Yes. After all, I'm not the only daughter in the Lin family he can marry."
Clatter.
The teacup slipped from Ruoyu's hand and shattered against the floor.
Before anyone could speak, another servant rushed in hurriedly. Said respectfully, "Young Miss, Master said to tell you Young Master Lu is our guest for lunch. You should come and greet him as well, and he said to remember we told him about your accident that happened to you on your way to the Master's courtyard in the village."
Bairan smirked replied, "OK, tell Father I understand; I will be there soon."
The servant nodded and retreated
Bairan said warmly "Okay you go back and be careful your foot doesn't get cut by a cup's piece "
Ruoyu smiled "Thanks Ruolan-jie for your concern I will go then "
Bairan turned to look at Ruoyu who was still staring dazedly at the shattered teacup on the floor.
"Sister, are you alright?"
Ruoyu blinked and return to her senses. She quickly stood up.
"Y-Yes… I don't know why I suddenly felt a bit dizzy."
Then she bowed gently toward Bairan.
"Ruolan-jie, I'll head back first. Father called you, you should go too."
Bairan smiled warmly.
"Alright. Go carefully—don't let the cup pieces cut your foot."
Ruoyu smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Ruolan-jie, for your concern. I'll take my leave then."
As Ruoyu left
Bairan's lips curved into a faint smirk. She thought "Things are starting to get more interesting."
____
When Zhouyan and Hanyue approached the hall they caught sight of Bairan on the other side of the garden.
She was walking with Bao'er toward the hall but before entering she turned back smiled gently, and said something softly to Bao'er.
Bao'er nodded and headed toward a small pavilion where Baian was standing.
The boy's face brightened when he saw her he waved happily at Bairan.
Bao'er handed him a small wrapped bundle. As Baian opened it his eyes sparkled with joy and he grinned from ear to ear waving again at Bairan.
Bairan chuckled softly and shook her head. When she turned back she noticed Zhouyan and Hanyue approaching. A faint warm smile still lingered on her lips.
Hanyue nodded politely in greeting. Zhouyan glanced at her then at Baian for a brief moment—then looked away.
Bairan took a step toward them intending to greet them and she wanted to ask if Zhouyan's headache had improved. But before she could take another step a surprised voice called out from behind
"A'Rou!"