By the lake in the Xie Clan's Grand View Garden.
Xie Yuan and the others had just stepped out of Grand Vista Courtyard when they saw Zhang Yunzhi leaning against a blue-stone railing.
Her rose-red skirts had been dampened by the fine rain, and her shoulders trembled softly with sobs, leaving behind a wistful, heart-wrenching silhouette.
"Yun Zhi! What happened?" Xie Qiyue lifted her skirts and ran over. "Who upset you?"
Her almond eyes widened, making her look exactly like a cat with its fur standing on end.
Xie Yuan scratched his head, utterly lacking in tact. "Could it be that you can't bear to see Sister Ying leave the estate? What's there to worry about? The Sima Clan isn't far away. It's only half an hour by carriage."
"You all return to the banquet first." Li Shuwan gave them a look, then linked arms with Zhang Yunzhi alongside Sima Muqing.
The three women walked deeper into the garden over wet cobblestones, their embroidered shoes crushing several spring peach blossoms knocked down by the rain.
"Yun Zhi," Li Shuwan asked gently, "did you make everything clear today?"
As Zhang Yunzhi nodded, she suddenly pressed a hand to her heart—it felt empty there, as though a piece had been gouged out. Tears welled in her beautiful eyes, while a huge boulder seemed to block her chest.
Had it not been for the upbringing of a scholarly household over so many years, she would have wanted to weep and make a scene.
Li Shuwan sighed. Of the eighty thousand characters in the world, only the character for love wounded most deeply.
The three noblewomen stood silently amid the misty willows, like a painting of court ladies in ink wash blurred by rainwater.
"What did he say?" Li Shuwan asked.
Zhang Yunzhi watched