Chen Yuan raised his head and looked out at the sun. He then waved at Chen Rong and said, “You may leave. You’ll have preparations to make.”
Chen Rong slowly stood up at his words.
She had barely gotten to her feet when footsteps sounded outside.
Before long, an unsteady and wheezing voice called in, “Master, we’re back.”
Hearing this voice, Chen Yuan rose and went out to meet them. “Why have you returned so soon? Did you not see Wang Yi?”
Chen Rong paused upon hearing Wang Yi’s name after she had given Lady Ruan and Lady Li curtsies and was ready to leave.
She wasn’t the only one; even Lady Ruan and Lady Li anxiously stood up. They rushed from their seats to the steps.
Down the steps were a dozen strapping servants. Standing in front was one about thirty years old, with pale skin and delicate features. One could tell he was an articulate speaker.
Nevertheless, he had his head bowed at this time while looking rather hesitant.
Anxious, Chen Yuan angrily yelled, “What happened? Tell me.”
The servant dithered before softly saying: “I’m afraid to.”
Chen Yuan’s heart sank. He stared at the servant and warily asked, “Did Wang Yi say something foul?”
Seeing the servant shaking his head, he sighed in relief and impatiently said, “So what happened, anyway? Just tell me the truth.”
“Aye.”
The servant gave him a ceremony and began to haltingly speak: “We followed your instructions and brought gifts to the Wang estate. We went in from the main entrance and presented our card, asking to see Sir Wang Yi.”
At this juncture, he looked up at Chen Yuan before quietly continuing: “No sooner had the gatekeeper taken our card than Wang Qilang’s carriage arrived. When he saw us, he approached and made inquiry.”
The servant’s voice softened to a stammer. “After we informed him, Wang Hong wanted us to go back, with a message he said to tell you.”
At this time, Chen Yuan’s heart had completely sunk.