Though the members of the Setting Sun Courtyard looked indolent and careless, they were very cautious about entering this prison-like "bedchamber." Huo Qilang went in first to investigate, then accompanied Baozhu inside, leaving Xu Baozhen outside to provide support lest they be caught like turtles in a jar.
The first thing Baozhu felt upon entering Xiao Ran's "bedchamber" was oppression.
Since it had originally been a storeroom, precautions against theft were necessary. The only window was an extremely narrow ventilation opening on the shaded side, reinforced with iron bars outside. Judging by the rust, they had not been replaced in many years.
The furniture inside, however, was all made of brand-new boxwood, in the latest high-legged style, painted with colorful trailing flowers and birds. It looked lively and pretty, and had probably also come from the Pang Family as betrothal gifts. Beyond that were numerous books and writing implements, whose signs of use suggested an owner who read and wrote frequently.
Baozhu casually leafed through some written sheets. They were covered in even, graceful Hairpin Flower Regular Script, far prettier than Pang Liangji's ugly scrawl. But the room was so dim that anyone reading or writing would presumably need a lamp even in broad daylight.
Puzzled, Baozhu asked, "The Xiao Residence doesn't look particularly spacious, but surely you could clear out a normal bedchamber for a young woman to stay in temporarily?"
Xiao Ren said, "Father insisted that she stay here." She paused, seemingly considering whether to reveal the truth.
"Since you're relatives of the Pang Family, I'll tell you honestly. Back when we lived next door to the Pang Residence, A Ran was young, and we weren't very strict about keeping her indoors, which gave her the chance to meet Young Master Pang. When she first married, those rumors