They arrived at the estate of the Prince of Jing in the evening. Chu Yun hadn't sent out word ahead of their arrival, so the palace servants were completely befuddled when they opened the gates and saw him and Xiao Zai wearing ill-fitting robes of dubious providence, and riding in the coachman's seat of a plain rental carriage.
Only Hua Nanyi's presence on horeback, and her unmistakable frown, convinced them they were indeed seeing Chu Yun and not someone who resembled him a great deal.
His mother rushed out of the main pavilion as soon as their carriage came to a stop in the courtyard.
She ran towards Chu Yun with her arms open wide, her fine robes fluttering behind her. "My son! Oh, my darling, I've missed you so much."
