The household staff at the Zheng mansion were shocked to see their young mistress alight from the carriage. Not only were they not expecting MeiLan to return so soon, but they also couldn't believe that the strong, agile young miss who stepped down was the same fragile and sickly young woman who had left them not so many months ago. If it were not for her stunning and unusual blue eyes, they might have thought she was an imposter.
Behind Zheng MeiLan the young timid maid Cui climbed down, gently assisted by one of the footmen. Her eyes were wide with trepidation and curiosity. The Zheng mansion was far larger than the Yongli home. To the inexperienced girl, it seemed more like a temple than a residence. The buildings were old, the roofs steep and curving, and unlike Blossom City where the trees bloomed year-round, the gardens at the Zheng manor were dull and dark from the winter freeze.
