The panel door is gently closed by a maid keeping the cold winter’s night away. The children had long since departed, but still, the two familiar figures of those two women could still be seen. Nuo nervously watches the silent figure of Ehuang wordlessly swishing her tea in hand. The tea had long since gone cold, but Ehuang did not stop, keeping her gaze firmly fixed on the green turbulent waters.

The green tea suddenly comes to a halt almost spilling over the rim. Ehuang serenely places the teacup onto the table and says, “It’s fine, Nuo. There is no need to worry that anything will suddenly change. The child will naturally be wary after all this time, but it is common given what the poor thing has gone through. Still-, we should remain vigilant lest anything change.”

Nuo hesitates for a second before agreeing, “Yes, there is wisdom in that, but can I-, we truly do not?”

Ehuang unapologetically rises to her feet leaving Nuo still sitting on the ground. “Nuo, we have already discussed this. There is no point in fighting a losing battle. Neither, you and I can change the decision that has been made. You should know that better than anyone,” Ehuang softly spoke over her shoulder, before signaling for the maid to open the doors and escort her guest out. Ehuang disappears further into her quarters leaving a rather sorry still figure.

The maid patiently waits for Nuo to rise on her own and departing least she invokes the wrath of one of the manor’s madam’s. The maid gracefully escorts Nuo out of the quarters, before returning to gather the items off the table. With a grumble, the maid hastily, but carefully gathers the dishes on the table.

It was late and would have been in bed if not for the madams. Nonetheless, it was an honor to serve them and even more so given the events of today. Perking up with gossip, the maid hurriedly finishes her task, before departing into the night. It wouldn’t take very long her the gossip of the youngest miss dining with madams to reach every corner of the house.