"Ugh..."
However, just as Annie thought she would have to struggle to fall asleep under the other woman's "watch," the faint sound of pages turning behind her suddenly stopped.
"By the way."
Lin Daiyu's distinctive, curious voice rang out again, but this time she brought up the very topic someone least wanted to discuss.
"Master."
"Before I came over..."
"Besides Zijuan and Xueyan, I also heard the two maids who sweep our courtyard talking. They said that this morning they saw a courier from the Immortal Crane Express land in front of the gate to Rongguo Mansion, apparently delivering something."
"They also heard the gatekeeper say... that the thing was for me?"
"Did Father send another letter?"
At last, Lin Daiyu asked about one of the main reasons she had come. Her voice sounded casual, but Annie keenly detected a hint of seriousness beneath it.
Clearly, either Zijuan or Xueyan had seen someone carrying a package in and out in a hurry. After hearing what the maids in the front courtyard were saying, Lin Daiyu had guessed that it might have been something delivered to her, just like last time.
"..."
Annie's back stiffened almost imperceptibly, but after a long pause, she answered in a muffled voice:
"It's yours..."
There was no point hiding it. She'd been seen, after all. Denying it would only give her away.
"..."
Lin Daiyu waited for a moment, but when no more came, she lowered her head slightly and asked:
"Then..."
"Where is it?"
"Since Master retrieved it for your disciple, could you... give it to me?"
Her tone was perfectly natural, full of expectation, as if it were only right. Her gaze began sweeping the room, searching for where the package had been put.
"..."
Annie suddenly turned around and looked at her.