The walk affords Lan Wangji an opportunity to familiarize himself with the land, take note of the location and architecture of any dwellings along the way, the type of animal and crop grown in the fields. He isn't surprised to not be the only one on the path aside from the caravan, as it seems to be a major road connecting the bay with the nearest larger settlement. But so far he has managed to keep to himself. Small blessings.

Which is to say, he is not expecting to be barrelled into from behind and the strings of his guqin carried on his back twang discordantly. He whirls around and the sight of the person - red skin, blank eyes, horns - alarms him more than the impact had. It doesn't quite match any hostile creature he knows, but several features are close enough that he half unsheathes his sword purely on instinct. Only then does her bewildered expression and the book in her hands sink in and he pauses, narrows his eyes and waits for her next move.