Having made preliminary plans for the future, Cai Wei felt delighted. She buzzed around energetically, arranging for custom counters and shelves, and asking Huo Yuan for assistance. She kept busy until almost nightfall and then, exhausted, she headed home with Huan Qiu.
Today was the Old Madame's Birthday Feast at Duke Li Guo's Mansion and the entire family had attended. She was eager to hear about the feast—Who went? What did they eat? Which operas did they watch?
However, upon returning home, she noticed that the atmosphere was clearly amiss. Dad sat silently in his chair, head hung low, Mother's whereabouts unknown. Moreover, what puzzled her even more was that there were two beautiful young women standing demurely behind Dad, yet casting coquettish glances his way from time to time.
"Who are they? How come they are in our house?"