Hua Yan, though listening to Caiqing read from a storybook, couldn't stop thinking about the disaster in the Northern Region.
Caiqing gradually realized that the Crown Princess Consort seemed not to be listening, slowly ceased speaking, and thought to inquire, but seeing Hua Yan's brows tightly knit as if pondering something, she obediently held the storybook and sat beside her.
After pondering for a long time, Hua Yan came back to her senses and said to Caiqing, "Send someone to invite Cheng Zixiao to the Eastern Palace."
Caiqing nodded, put down the storybook, and immediately found someone to deliver the message.
Hua Yan then instructed Caiqing, "Go get some paper and brushes, the kind used for drawing."
Caiqing complied and hurried off.
Before long, Caiqing brought paper and brushes and laid them out on the desk.
Hua Yan rose from her chaise longue, walked to the desk, picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and started to sketch on the drawing paper.