Reaching the bat pool, Lu Jia mimicked Consort Hua's tone from "Empresses in the Palace," saying, "This garden is too big. I even got lost and couldn't get to the Emperor's side in time. Those vile women will start acting up again." She then looked at Yan Ning.
Yan Ning exchanged a glance with her, then lowered her head and replied in perfect unison, "Your Majesty, should I send someone to fetch a sedan chair?"
Lu Jia used the three gold armors she bought for twenty yuan to smooth her short hair, and said in an almost coquettish voice, "No, no, the dishes in the imperial kitchen have been very much to my liking lately. I've been indulging a little too much. I'll take a walk to digest my food."
Yan Ning readily accepted Lu Jia's outstretched hand, saying, "Then this servant will accompany you for a walk."
Ignoring the surprised looks from those around them, the two clutched their stomachs, suppressed their laughter, and ran away.
They encountered a tour guide along the way, and Yan Ning and Lu Jia followed him, as only by following the guide could they enter the Grand Theater. The guide then led everyone to several souvenir shops before heading to the main attraction shown on the tickets—the Grand Theater.
Upon entering the grand theater, the first thing that caught Yan Ning's eye was the stage, its roof supported by four pillars. In front of the stage were the audience seats, and Lu Jia pulled Yan Ning to occupy one of them. Yan Ning looked around; the carved patterns on the doors and windows were all identical. For a moment, Yan Ning felt as if she often sat here watching operas, and the faded patterns on the beams and pillars gradually came alive. Blooming wisteria, green leaves reflecting purple flowers, intertwined and enveloped the space, making one feel as if surrounded by flowers, a truly delightful experience.
There were no famous actors or good operas on stage, only a few commonplace acrobatic acts, so Lu Jia started to get bored and wanted to go somewhere else. "Yan Ning, Yan Ning..." Lu Jia looked at the dazed Yan Ning and called her name several times.
Lu Jia's call interrupted Yan Ning's thoughts. She stared intently at Lu Jia and said, "Lu Jia, I feel so familiar with this place. It wasn't like this before."
"Stop it, it's kind of scary. This old house is naturally full of yin energy." Lu Jia felt a cold wind whistling down her back. "Let's go, let's not stay here." Lu Jia felt that Yan Ning had been acting strangely ever since she entered the Prince Gong's Mansion, and wanted to leave as soon as possible.
Reaching a certain point, Lu Jia saw the long-awaited restroom, tossed his things to Yan Ning, and rushed inside. Although they had left the grand theater, Yan Ning was still immersed in the scene from earlier, walking forward as if sleepwalking, and entered a courtyard.
From the moment she stepped into the courtyard, Yan Ning was enveloped by a strange sense of familiarity. The main house was locked. This wasn't surprising; many rooms in the Prince Gong's Mansion were locked, and those that were open were usually selling goods. The closer Yan Ning got to the main house, the more dizzy she became, yet she couldn't control her steps.
Yan Ning saw that the once empty courtyard was now like a sea of flowers. In the center of the courtyard was a rockery, flanked by two crabapple trees and countless lilies, all reflecting the blue sky and white clouds. Yan Ning's last memory flashed through her mind in a halo of light, revealing four words: Heavenly Fragrance Courtyard.
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