The sun sank behind the western mountains. Several black-clad constables patrolled outside the residence with its white walls and green tiles. Since Ye Jingtang had gone out with his three wives, the residence was much quieter than during the day.
In the western courtyard, Zhe Yunli was dressed like a refined young lady, slowly practicing saber techniques with a fan in place of a blade. Niao Niao perched on the roof, head tilted as she watched another courtyard nearby.
In the neighboring courtyard stood a brand-new wheelchair that Ye Jingtang had just had the Black Bureau Constables deliver, but Hua Qingzhi was not sitting in it.
The doors and windows of the room beside the wheelchair were shut. Inside, everything was clean and tidy, with a desk, tea couch, treasure display rack, screen, and all the other furnishings. A redwood canopied bed stood in the inner room.
Perhaps out of concern that this noble young lady from a distinguished family might feel slighted, all the everyday furnishings were new. Third Madam had even brought in collector-grade brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone, placing them on the desk for Hua Qingzhi to use.
Although she was being treated very well, Hua Qingzhi clearly could not feel happy. She sat alone on the edge of the canopied bed, hands folded at her waist, her delicate features heavy with melancholy and unease. She looked both resentful, as though "once through a noble household's gates, deep as the sea, everyone in Northern Liang became someone from the past," and apprehensive, like "a frail young lady dragged back to a bandit stronghold to become a concubine, unable to escape and not knowing what would happen that night."
Compared with Hua Qingzhi, Green Pearl had settled in readily enough and was even a little pleased. After