Steward Ding didn't want to worry the mistress, but it was difficult to broach the topic given it pertained to Miss Wu's reputation. "Mistress, you should come see for yourself!" he said.
Upon hearing this, Zhulan grew even more anxious and, taking Zhou Shuren by the arm, said, "Let's go have a look."
The two quickly made their way to the front courtyard through the garden gate. Zhulan was genuinely curious why Wu Ning had climbed a tree, and especially why she did so in the front courtyard.
By the time Zhulan arrived, Xue Han and Wu Ning were standing there dumbfounded. Zhulan's gaze fell upon the tree; it was quite tall but seemed easy to climb. Puckering her lips, she noted that Xue Han and Wu Ning were well-disciplined. The front courtyard was where Zhou Shuren received guests—why then had these two maids ventured here to climb a tree?
