Fu Yunyang walked a long distance before finally stopping.
Only after she had turned a bend and the ancient peach tree was completely hidden behind layers of blossoms did she come to a halt.
Supporting herself against a peach tree, she breathed lightly.
Her heartbeat was still far too fast.
“Miss! Miss!”
Xiaodie’s voice came chasing after her.
Panting heavily, the maid ran up in front of her. In one hand she carried the hat, and in the other a thick cloak. Her round face was flushed red from running.
“You scared me to death!”
Bending over as she caught her breath, Xiaodie said,
“I only went back to get your hat, and somehow you’ve already walked this far! I looked everywhere for you. I thought… I thought…”
She never finished the sentence.
Her eyes had already turned red.
Looking at her, Fu Yunyang gently shook her head.
“It’s alright.”
Her voice was even softer than before.
“I just… walked around for a while.”
Only after carefully looking her over and confirming that nothing was wrong did Xiaodie relax.
Standing on tiptoe, she carefully placed the hat on Fu Yunyang’s head and tied a loose bow beneath her chin.
The hat was covered with pale violet gauze.
The veil draped down just enough to conceal her features while shielding her from the strengthening spring sunlight.
“And this too.”
Xiaodie shook open the thick cloak and draped it over her shoulders.
She carefully fastened the ties and adjusted it several times until Fu Yunyang’s back and arms were completely covered.
“Madam specifically said you mustn’t be exposed to the wind. The weather may be nice today, but the grove is cool. Once the wind blows, it’s still chilly.”
Fu Yunyang did not object.
She simply stood quietly while Xiaodie tied the ribbons and straightened her clothing.
The cloak was moon-white, lined with a soft layer of fur.
Wrapped inside it, she immediately felt warm.
“Miss.”
Xiaodie tilted her head while studying her face.
“You look a little pale. Are you tired from walking?”
Fu Yunyang nodded.
“Walking around for a while made me a little tired.”
At once, Xiaodie took hold of her arm.
Looking around, her eyes suddenly lit up.
“Miss, look! There’s a pavilion up ahead, and there aren’t many people there. Shall we go rest for a while?”
The pavilion was small.
It had eight corners and sweeping eaves, with tiny bronze bells hanging from each corner.
Whenever the breeze blew, they chimed softly.
Inside stood a stone table and several stone stools.
Three or four young ladies sat scattered about.
Tea cups and several plates of pastries rested upon the table.
Their clothing was elegant and refined. At a glance, it was obvious they were daughters of prominent official families.
They had brought few attendants with them, likely because they wanted a bit of peace and quiet.
Fu Yunyang chose a sheltered spot at the edge of the pavilion and sat down.
Xiaodie adjusted her cloak once more before pouring a cup of warm tea and handing it to her.
Holding the teacup in both hands, she felt the warmth slowly seep into her palms.
At last, the rapid beating of her heart began to calm.
She lowered her head and took a sip of tea.
Her gaze settled quietly on the tabletop.
Peaceful.
Unobtrusive.
Never competing for attention.
From the other side of the pavilion, fragments of conversation drifted over.
“…Have you heard? That Shen Jinghong came today too.”
Fu Yunyang’s fingers paused ever so slightly.
The speaker was a young woman dressed in a crimson riding outfit.
She had bright eyes and white teeth, with a heroic air between her brows.
Even her posture was straighter than the other girls’.
Her back was perfectly upright, one hand casually resting on the edge of the stone table.
It was Qiu Lingxi, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Dingyuan’s household.
Taking a sip of tea, she frowned slightly.
The dislike in her voice was completely undisguised.
“That wastrel, along with all those good-for-nothing friends of his. They’re forever gambling, fighting cocks, chasing dogs, and speaking without thinking. People like them ought to be driven out of the capital altogether.”