Lu Zhixue quickly had someone serve tea and then said, "What's gotten you so upset? Did you come here just to vent?"
Song Yunzhao replied, "Couldn't it be that I just missed you all?"
"If word of that got out, every concubine in the harem would be green with envy," Wang Zhaorong laughed heartily. "Your Ladyship has come at the perfect time. We were about to play cards. Join us, it's a good way to pass the time."
Song Yunzhao agreed. She was only an average card player, and everyone present was quite clever. It wouldn't be easy to win against them.
As the hostess, Lu Zhixue attended to the tea on the side.
Though Song Yunzhao was in a foul mood, her luck at cards was excellent. She won several hands in a row, drawing groans of complaint from the others.
After another round, everyone was a bit tired, so they moved under a tree in the courtyard to cool off, drink tea, and chat.
