She held the soup spoon, staring blankly at the large tree in the backyard, which had already sprouted green buds through the half-opened window lattice.
Bai Qingyan walked past the screen and called softly, "Fourth Aunt."
Mrs. Wang, the fourth lady, snapped back to reality. She placed the soup spoon on the lid of the soup pot and couldn't help but cough twice. She lifted the thin blanket draped over her legs and was about to get up when Bai Qingyan stopped her: "Fourth Aunt, I just have a few words to say, and then I'll leave."
Lingyun came in with hot tea and, after serving Bai Qingyan tea, retreated outside the screen to wait for instructions.
Chun Tao smiled at Nanny Guan and said, "Nanny Guan, a few days ago you mentioned a flower pattern you wanted me to look at. Why don't you and Lingyun go check it out together?"