The next morning, Chu Nanli was half-awake, listening vaguely to the sound of Yanyan speaking with someone outside the room.
"The master is still resting, so would it be all right for Imperial Physician Zhuang to sit in the courtyard for a while?"
"Yes, it is also Zhuang's lack of propriety for not sending a letter in advance and coming to visit the teacher unannounced."
A cheap apprentice?
Chu Nanli, groggy, recognized the voice as Zhuang Muyan's and woke from her dream.
The room was already prepared with water for washing up and dental tools; Chu Nanli donned her outer garment, cleaned herself up, simply swept her hair back into a bun at the back of her head, and then opened the door to step out.
Yanyan was not in the courtyard, having gone to pour tea for Zhuang Muyan.
Upon hearing the door open, Zhuang Muyan looked up, his expression briefly stunned.
