However, Qiutong had not led Zhang Xiaohua very far before she changed her mind.
Ou Yan had never told Qiutong what books to fetch for Zhang Xiaohua. Besides, the villa master's study was not a place where one could rashly bring outsiders without the villa master's permission.
Thus, Qiutong brought Zhang Xiaohua to the outside of the main hall.
The moment he approached the hall, Zhang Xiaohua heard two people speaking inside. One voice was extraordinarily pleasant, like an oriole emerging from a valley—one could listen to it for ages without tiring of it. The other voice was also clear and measured, neither rushed nor slow, but it lacked that soul-stirring charm.
Zhang Xiaohua naturally assumed that the lovely voice belonged to Villa Master Ou Yan.
In truth, ever since coming to the Inner Courtyard, Zhang Xiaohua had been wondering what Ou Yan looked and sounded like. He had been at Huanxi Mountain Villa for several months, and Ou Yan had treated him extremely well, yet he had never even met her. This time, he had come not only to return books and borrow more, but also to thank her in person for her care.
Qiutong told Zhang Xiaohua to wait outside while she went in to report.
Once Qiutong entered the hall, the conversation inside ceased as well. Zhang Xiaohua heard her say, "Villa Master, Zhang Xiaohua from the medicinal fields has come to return your books. He also wishes to borrow more. What books would you like him to borrow?"
Zhang Xiaohua pricked up his ears even more, wanting to know which voice would answer.
Unfortunately, the gentle voice rang out, disappointing him. "Eh? He finished them so quickly? Could it be that the boy merely flipped through them blindly? Let him come in. I'll ask him about