Quite a few ladies sat in the main room of the Taoist Temple.
Among them was Madam Wang, wife of the Minister of Court Ceremonial, who had brought her daughter Wang Yuan and her son Wang Enze, courtesy name Defa.
Also present were Hua Shanyue, wife of the Imperial College's chancellor, her younger sister Hua Wuyue, and her sister-in-law Ge Yingqiu.
Hua Shanyue was twenty-eight that year, but she had taken such good care of herself that she looked barely into her twenties.
The Hua family came from a long line of military officers. Both Hua Shanyue and her younger sister Hua Wuyue had grown into strikingly spirited women, brisk and forthright in their speech, without any of the delicate frailty of sheltered young ladies.
When Jian Ruonan arrived, she did not know whether to focus on Wang Defa or the Imperial College chancellor's wife.
"Nan Nan, over here!" Wang Yuan grew excited when she spotted her and hurriedly had someone bring over the treats she had specially prepared to share with Jian Ruonan.
After politely greeting Madam Wang, Jian Ruonan began sampling the pastries Wang Yuan had brought. The two huddled together to whisper.
Wang Yuan asked mysteriously, "Nannan, have you found out where the Previous Dynasty's treasure is?"
Jian Ruonan's mouth was full of pastry. "Not yet. The Previous Dynasty's treasure is surrounded by traps. Going in unprepared would get you killed."
"Ah!" Wang Yuan covered her mouth with exaggerated alarm. "Right, I hadn't thought of that. You should wait until you're ready before looking for it, then."
Jian Ruonan glanced at Wang Yuan. She had thought the girl was trying to pry information out of her, but it turned out she was just a Silly Sweetheart, so Jian Ruonan went back to giggling and eating pastries with