The night passed in silence.
When Cui Lingyao awoke, the man who had been sleeping beside her was gone.
Bright daylight streamed through the window. The rain, which had fallen for many days, had finally stopped.
The dark clouds had scattered, revealing a clear, blue sky.
But the relatively warm autumn days were gone for good.
She slowly sat up. Without calling for anyone, she dressed herself.
She pushed open the door and walked out.
A blast of cold wind hit her, the chill seeping into her very bones.
Cui Lingyao shivered.
"My lady, why did you come out by yourself?"
Xia Zhi emerged from the small kitchen and saw her mistress standing in the doorway in thin clothes. She hurried forward to help her back inside, saying, "It may look sunny today, but it's actually much colder than yesterday. What will we do if you catch a chill standing out here in the wind?"
Behind her were two maids ready to attend to Cui Lingyao's morning routine.
