Seeing that Xia Ruqing had arrived, the three of them rose to pay their respects and greet her. Xia Ruqing quickly bade them sit, then took a seat herself next to Honored Lady Lan.
While cracking sunflower seeds, Xia Ruqing asked, "I wonder how Lady Xi is doing?"
What good did it do her to bite Consort Yun Pin like that?
Honored Lady Lan sighed. "She... is not doing well!"
"Xia Jieyu, you know she's been wronged, don't you?" Honored Lady Lan looked at her expectantly.
Xia Ruqing smiled noncommittally and remained silent.
Honored Lady Lan continued, "She cries all day, has no appetite for tea or food, and has lost a significant amount of weight..." Her face showed deep concern as she spoke.
Xia Ruqing suddenly became very curious. Was Honored Lady Lan truly unaware, or, like Honored Lady Xi, was she just pretending?
She smiled. "Is she still making incense then?"
