In the afternoon of the capital, Zhulan got up from her nap. Chang Lian had returned from the teahouse. Having changed her clothes and combed her hair, Zhulan came out to find Chang Lian playing chess with Xue Han, while Rongchuan sat by and watched.
Zhulan took her seat and said to Chang Lian, "You're back."
Chang Lian signaled Rongchuan to take his place and replied as they swapped, "Mother, I should have returned earlier. A sudden incident occurred at the teahouse; I encountered the Second Prince and the Fifth Prince, which delayed me for some time."
Zhulan was surprised, having run into both at once, "That really is quite a coincidence."
Chang Lian fidgeted with the Jade Pendant hanging at his waist, smiling as he said, "Indeed, it is quite the coincidence. Mother, I also met Shen Yang. He was initially troubled by the two princes and later ignored. The Fifth Prince's remarks suggested that Shen Yang ought not to have made it into the second tier at all."
