The sight of them put the butler’s mind considerably at ease.

"Old Master Zhan, Madam Zhan, please come inside. I’ll have someone prepare guest rooms for you."

"There’s no need. We’ll just make do in the main hall." Old Master Zhan opened an umbrella for his wife, and the two of them walked toward the main hall.

The butler knew full well that someone would inevitably come to search the residence during the night.

After arranging the guards, Zhan Chi said, "Mother, I’m going to check on the little girl."

"I’m going too," Madam Zhan said, stopping in her tracks.

"Weren’t you going to make do in the main hall?"

"Your father said he’d make do in the main hall. I’m going to make do in Pangtuan’s courtyard."

Zhan Yi: "..."

"Alright, let’s go, while the little girl is still awake." Zhan Chi opened his umbrella.

Without the slightest hesitation, Madam Zhan scurried a few steps through the rain to get under Zhan Chi’s umbrella.

"Father, we’re going."

Zhan Yi looked as if he wanted to say something but held his tongue. He glared at their two retreating figures, let out a huff, and turned to walk toward the main hall by himself.

Yuehua Small Building

After dinner, Ye Qianning lay on the soft couch to rest her eyes. The insects and birds were mostly still on rainy days, so very little information came through.

’The Imperial Palace is already in chaos. If East Shu wants to make a move, they probably won’t choose a time like this.’

"Pangtuan."

A knock came from the door.

Ye Qianning got up and opened the door. "Grandma, what are you doing here?"

"I came to check on you." Madam Zhan stood in the doorway, patting the dampness from her clothes before stepping inside.

"I’m here too, little girl," Zhan Chi said with a brilliant smile.

Ye Qianning merely glanced at him before her gaze returned to Madam Zhan. "Grandma, let me pour you some tea."

"Little girl..." Zhan Chi’s smile froze on his face.

Madam Zhan turned to glare at him, then cradled the cup in her hands. "Pangtuan still loves her grandma the most."

When Zhan Chi saw that the little girl hadn’t poured any tea for him, his handsome face scrunched up in dismay. He sighed to himself, ’The little girl still holds a deep grudge against me.’

"If you want some, pour it yourself." Madam Zhan discreetly kicked him. "She’s only six, yet she knows to help herself. Are you still waiting to be served?"

"I wouldn’t dare."

Zhan Chi picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup. He had been nursing a sliver of wishful thinking.

"Grandma, since you’re all here, what about the Zhan Mansion?"

"The Zhan family has nothing to fear. Let them search. But you’re the only child here at the General’s Mansion, and I don’t want those rowdy soldiers to scare you." Madam Zhan took a sip of tea and added, "I wonder who was taken, for them to raise such a fuss."

"Given that the Emperor himself ordered the search, I think there’s a good chance they’re looking for one of the imperial concubines," Zhan Chi said, having already considered the matter.

"How do you know?"

"Mother, what did I tell you about being slow on the uptake? Think about it—who lives in the Imperial Palace? With a commotion this big, the Emperor is clearly enraged. What kind of incident do you think could make the ruler of a nation so furious?" Zhan Chi believed it had to be a romantic scandal.

Madam Zhan mulled it over. She was a little confused at first, but the more she thought about it, the more astonished she looked. "For something like that? How could the Emperor have the audacity to order such a large-scale search?"

"That’s why the official story is that it was a thief," Zhan Chi explained. "They claim something very important was stolen from Consort Yuan’s palace." He hadn’t believed the story about a thief for a single moment.

Madam Zhan nodded, seeming to half-understand. "Pangtuan, Grandma will sleep on the couch tonight. Don’t be afraid if you hear any commotion."

"Mm."

Ye Qianning nodded.

’Since Madam Zhan’s intentions were so kind, she couldn’t very well refuse.’

——

Around one in the morning, the rain outside finally stopped. Water dripped from the eaves with a steady, rhythmic DRIP-DROP.

Madam Zhan was reclining on the soft couch, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. Every so often, she would sit up to check on the soundly sleeping child.