The next day, at dawn, Yan Qing, preoccupied with thoughts of wine brewing, woke early without needing anyone to call him and sought out Ling Hua.
He arrived too early, the sky had yet to brighten, and Ling Hua was still asleep.
Liuli was also still asleep.
Not just Liuli, but Zi Yan and Zi Xia were also fast asleep—the entire back courtyard was silent, and even the chirping birds didn't disturb the peace.
Yan Qing stood at the entrance of the back courtyard and, turning to Yun Luo, belatedly asked, "Did I get up too early?"
Yun Luo nodded.
Yan Qing inquired, "When does she usually get up?"
"At chen time."
Yan Qing glanced at the sky—chen time was at least an hour away. He stamped his foot in place, lacking patience as he said, "Can't she get up a bit earlier?"
Yun Luo could offer no solution, "The young mistress doesn't have any special circumstances and rises at chen time each day."
