Uninvited guests

Bai Yue was unaware that while she was helping the Fang family to settle inside the barn, a lone cavalier was exhausting his horse as he rode his way into the capital after weeks of travelling at full speed with a military missive and the letter she wrote to Bai Rui safely tucked in the lapels of his tunic.

"There you are ready for the night," Bai Yue smiled at the three children later that day as she put a pile thick cotton clothes in front of them. "Your big sister Yun will bring you your dinner soon."

Turning towards their parents, she explained, "My neighbor Liang Qing Yun should arrive soon. Her nanny is the one who cooks and I can promise you, she is a great cook."

"Thank you again, miss Mo. You have done so much for us." Mother Fang walked Bai Yue to the door to see her off.