The sun had just risen, the sky a swath of clear blue. The pale gold of dawn wrapped the quiet world like gauze and thin silk.

A tall, slender figure led a chestnut-brown mare with a rider on her back, slowly walking beneath the sky where clouds rolled and breezes drifted lightly.

Fu Xuanmiao brought the mare to a halt and stopped walking. He crouched down and plucked a white wildflower. He brushed off a brown ant that had been crawling on the petals, then took Fang Shi’s hand and placed the clean wildflower into her palm.

“Mother, this entire area is covered in wildflowers like this one. Hold it up close to your nose and smell it — does it not carry the fragrance of White Toad Ink?”

Fang Shi raised the flower uncertainly to her nose and gave it a light sniff, and her expression shifted into a faint, surprised delight.

“……It really does carry the fragrance of White Toad Ink.”

Fu Xuanmiao smiled and said: “So there are those who say that the secret of the Lushi ink-making family of Shouzhou — a family renowned for their craft — lies precisely in this Xia Yun flower, which grows only in Shouzhou.”

“Why is it called Xia Yun?”

“Mother, just imagine it — the vast expanse of a clear summer sky, and clouds drifting through it like wisps of loose silk, and you will understand.”

Fu Xuanmiao’s description brought to the surface Fang Shi’s early memories that had long grown dim and faded.

At that time her eyes were not yet blind, and her greatest pleasure was to sit in the pavilion after the midday meal and read for a while — then, in the drowsy languor that would come over her, to lift her head and gaze at the boundless blue sky stretching on without end. She was still young then, and always felt that there were still ways to make things work, that as long as she was gentler and more virtuous, more considerate and thoughtful, she could win back the heart of a man whose heart had long since gone elsewhere.

Her expression cooled. She set down the Xia Yun flower, but did not throw it away — instead, she gripped it tightly in her fist.

Fresh flower juice dampened her palm, like tears that had already grown cold.

“Would Mother like to come down and walk a while?” Fu Xuanmiao said.

“……That would be fine.”

Fang Shi accepted Fu Xuanmiao’s support and carefully stepped down onto the ground.

Fu Xuanmiao held her slender forearm and slowly guided her forward.

“Mother, the ground ahead is uneven — mind your step.”

“Mother, it rained a little last night. When I came by just now, there was still much dew on the ground, though now it has all vanished completely. Chan Yu remembers that Mother used to love brewing tea with dew — tomorrow, I will send someone to bring a pot of fresh dew collected from the Xia Yun flowers.”

He paused, then suddenly curved the corner of his lips and said softly:

“……Send a pot to the Princess of Yue as well. She is most particular about things — if she sees collected Xia Yun flower dew, she will certainly be pleased.”

No matter how deep the rift between them, he was still her own flesh and blood. Moreover, after Fu Ruzhi’s death, the knot in Fang Shi’s heart had shown signs of loosening. As his mother, she immediately detected the fluctuation in emotion in Fu Xuanmiao’s voice.

His voice had been low and subdued for days, but today, when he spoke of the Princess of Yue, there was a noticeable lightening — as though he had set down a heavy burden.

“……You and the Princess of Yue — how are things between you?”

She had slept deeply through the night before and only learned after dawn of what had happened at the banquet.

The Princess of Yue had openly accused Fu Xuanmiao of destroying the Shang River Weir and murdering the former Military Governor of Zhenchuan. Although there was no physical evidence, it had nonetheless set off an invisible wave of tremendous force throughout the encampment. Fang Shi could sense that the attendants around her had been won over and said not a word about the matter. But people always tend to drop their guard around a woman who is nearly blind, forgetting that though her eyes might not be clear, her ears could still hear.

She sat like a carved statue on her prayer mat counting her prayer beads, and the maids and servants who attended to her would occasionally exchange whispers in lowered voices.

A blind person’s sense of hearing is several times keener than that of an ordinary person.

The Princess of Yue’s accusations were correct. Though she did not know the details, she knew her own son. The absence of a clear denial was an admission.

“Mother need not worry — things between Chan Yu and the Princess of Yue are very well.” Fu Xuanmiao said with a smile in his voice.

“……The wrongs you have done are not to be blamed on her.” Fang Shi spoke words of concern that had long grown unfamiliar to her, her voice cool with restraint. “If you truly value her, you should not continue making one mistake after another. Since your father passed, the Fu clan has been a thorn in the eyes of those both inside and outside the court — if you still do not pull back from the edge of the precipice, sooner or later you will be shattered to pieces.”

“Mother’s teaching is right.” Fu Xuanmiao said.

“If you still consider me your mother, then do not let my words pass through you like the wind. That you have become who you are today — I too bear some of the fault for that……The only way to make amends now is for you to resign your office and return home, distribute the family wealth to those who were harmed, and I am willing to accompany you in a life of simple piety, spending our remaining years doing all we can to atone……”

Fang Shi spoke at length. Fu Xuanmiao listened patiently, responding from time to time, yet never committing himself one way or the other.

“Mother need not concern herself with the talk outside — Chan Yu has his own plans.” Fu Xuanmiao said. “The sun grows stronger — let Chan Yu escort Mother back.”

Fang Shi acknowledged with a soft sound. Fu Xuanmiao cast a glance in the direction of the distance, and a carriage driver came racing over promptly. Ning Yu, who had been sitting outside the carriage, stepped down and slowly helped Fang Shi settle inside the carriage compartment.

“And you?” Fang Shi leaned toward the carriage window and asked.

“Yan Hui is on patrol nearby — I will go and join up with them before returning together. Mother’s carriage has the young General Ma as escort, so there is nothing to worry about regarding her safety. There is no need to be concerned.” Fu Xuanmiao said.

Only then did Fang Shi draw back from the carriage window and sit up straight.

After the carriage set off at a gentle pace, Ning Yu held the freshly brewed hot tea in both hands and offered it to Fang Shi. Fang Shi took a sip and asked: “Is this the new tea of this year?”

“It is, Madam. The rainfall was too heavy this year — only the smallest amount of top-grade Da Hong Pao was produced, and all of it was sent to His Majesty and the Young Master. His Majesty would not even bestow any upon the consorts in the palace — yet as soon as the Young Master received his share, he sent it straight to Madam.” Ning Yu said with a smile.

Fang Shi thought for a moment, then said quietly: “……The Princess must be deeply frightened and anxious right now.”

Ning Yu said nothing in reply, and the carriage fell into silence.

Fang Shi gazed at the blurred and indistinguishable scenery outside the window, her heart shrouded in a fog of thoughts: roads have their far and near, and people have their close and distant — even if Chan Yu had committed enormous crimes, she could not bring herself to report her own child. Beyond doing all she could to urge Chan Yu to step back from the edge of the precipice, what else could she do?

“……I am not going back to the tent.” She said suddenly.

“Where would Madam like to go?” Ning Yu was taken aback.

……

Shen Zhuxi sat on the reclining bed, leaning over the low table, staring at the milky white bamboo-patterned teacup before her with a face full of worry.

A shadow of a palace maid suddenly appeared on the tent curtain, saying: “Your Highness, Madam Fang Shi requests an audience.”

Fu Xuanmiao’s mother had come to find her?

Shen Zhuxi was puzzled, but she sat up properly on the reclining bed before saying: “Show her in.”

Fang Shi was helped in by someone supporting her.

Shen Zhuxi had heard before that Fang Shi had suffered from an eye ailment for years and her vision was nearly gone altogether — the Fu household had sought physicians and remedies everywhere, but to no avail. After losing her sight, Fang Shi had never appeared at another palace banquet again. This was the first time Shen Zhuxi had seen Fang Shi in many years.

She walked very slowly, as though every step was taken in wariness of a chasm underfoot.

“This subject’s wife, Fang Shi, pays her respects to the Princess of Yue.”

After the maid had led her to the front of the reclining bed, Fang Shi drew her arm from the maid’s supporting grasp and began to perform her obeisance — slowly, slowly.

Shen Zhuxi ultimately could not bring herself to endure it, and spoke: “……There is no need — you are excused from the formalities.”

Yet Fang Shi paid this no heed and insisted on completing the full rite.

After Shen Zhuxi invited her to sit down across the low table, a palace maid poured two cups of hot tea. Steam rose from the cups, blurring Fang Shi’s expression across the table.

Shen Zhuxi did not know Fang Shi well, and had had little contact with her before — her impression was only of a woman who always kept her head bowed, quiet and deferential. Yet she could sense that Fang Shi was somewhat cool toward her, as though she did not particularly welcome Fu Xuanmiao taking a princess as his wife.

At the time, Shen Zhuxi had found nothing strange about this, since there were not many great families willing to take a princess into their household.

But then she had discovered, in the Bai family home, a painting that Fu Ruzhi had once given to her mother consort — and this changed the flavor of Fang Shi’s coolness entirely. If Fu Ruzhi had truly once had a past with her mother consort, then it was only natural that Fang Shi would not like her.

Given this layer of connection between them, Shen Zhuxi sat in silence, able to speak neither insincere pleasantries nor words of angry accusation.

The person across from her was not Fu Xuanmiao, who could cover the sky with one hand — but a frail and ailing woman who needed someone to support her even to leave her room.

Fang Shi also seemed in no hurry to speak. She reached out her right hand and felt across the table until she touched the teacup, then slowly picked it up, took a sip, and then revealed a complex smile that Shen Zhuxi could not interpret.

“……As I thought.”

Shen Zhuxi looked at her with an uncomprehending gaze, forgetting that Fang Shi could not clearly see her expression.

Fang Shi lowered her eyes and murmured: “……Not father and son by birth, yet like father and son in every other way.”

“What did you say?” Shen Zhuxi could not help but ask.

“Ning Yu, you go out.” Fang Shi said.

The maid addressed as Ning Yu was startled, and hesitantly looked from Fang Shi to Shen Zhuxi. Fang Shi heard no footsteps come, so she repeated herself once more. Only then did Ning Yu bow her head in salute, turn, and walk out of the tent.

Shen Zhuxi thought of something, and also said to the palace maid on guard inside the tent: “I have some personal matters to discuss with Madam Fang Shi — you also step out.”

The palace maid hesitated as well.

Shen Zhuxi’s expression grew grave: “Does this Princess’s word carry no weight with you?”

The palace maid glanced at Fang Shi, who sat in silence, then slowly and reluctantly walked out of the tent.

After only Shen Zhuxi and Fang Shi remained in the tent, Fang Shi raised her head and said:

“How much does Your Highness know of Chan Yu?”

The sudden question gave Shen Zhuxi a moment’s pause.

“……I do not know him well.”

“This subject’s wife does not know Chan Yu well either.” Fang Shi said.

She curved the corners of her lips, revealing a bleak smile that flickered and vanished in an instant.

“Shameful to say — though this subject’s wife is Chan Yu’s mother, the older he grew, the less this subject’s wife could fathom what he was thinking or feeling. Though he respects this subject’s wife as his mother, that is all. The one he truly respects is his father — this subject’s wife’s husband, the former Chief Minister, Fu Ruzhi.”

“Fu Ruzhi was born into the Huazhou Fu clan, a family of great renown. At eleven years old he was chosen by the late Emperor to serve as Crown Prince’s study companion, and remained constantly by the Crown Prince’s side, as close as brothers. When Fu Ruzhi was eighteen, he passed the three highest imperial examinations at the top of his class, becoming the youngest person at the time to have achieved such a distinction, and the Crown Prince also successfully ascended to the throne, becoming the supreme ruler. The following year, the imperial progress to the south commenced, and the first to receive the imperial procession was the Bai family of Yangzhou — and after that, it never changed.”

“Several years later, His Majesty took the firstborn daughter of the Yangzhou Bai clan, Bai Mi, as his empress. Fu Ruzhi fell gravely ill, and His Majesty personally went to his door to offer his consolation, and promoted him to the position of Chief Minister of the realm.”

“Still later, Fu Ruzhi, who had declined countless marriage proposals, broke everyone’s expectations and took the initiative to seek the hand of this subject’s wife, whose father was a mere seventh-rank official. Two years later, this subject’s wife gave birth to Chan Yu. He was steady and composed by nature — more inclined to observe and reflect than to speak — and he never caused his father or this subject’s wife a moment’s worry. He took his father as his model, and any task entrusted to him he completed twofold. The standards he set for himself were even higher than what his father and this subject’s wife expected of him.”

“At sixteen years old, he became the youngest person in history to pass the three highest imperial examinations at the top of his class. He has always taken pride in his father……and his father has always taken pride in him.” Fang Shi said quietly.

“Why are you telling me all this……” Shen Zhuxi could not help but interrupt her.

“……It is merely a feeling of wonder at how strange fate can be. Perhaps in this world, there truly is such a thing as destiny.” Fang Shi murmured.

Shen Zhuxi looked at her, filled with a growing sense of suspicion.

As she looked, she suddenly felt that Fang Shi’s eyes and brows bore a faint resemblance — two parts — to her mother consort. A difficult-to-accept conjecture suddenly appeared in her mind.

While she was still in a state of uncertain doubt, Fang Shi suddenly spoke up.

“This subject’s wife has one question, and hopes Your Highness can provide an answer.”

“What is it?”

“If this subject’s wife were to help Your Highness and persuade Chan Yu to turn back from the wrong path, would Your Highness be willing to forgive Chan Yu just this once?”

Before Shen Zhuxi could say a word, Fang Shi lowered her head and continued:

“This subject’s wife knows Chan Yu’s crimes are immense, yet the person he has become today — this subject’s wife cannot escape her share of blame either. This subject’s wife is willing to suffer in her son’s place — even a death of ten thousand cuts, this subject’s wife accepts with a willing heart. But after this subject’s wife is gone, the only person left in this world who could make him turn back from the edge would be Your Highness alone. Though Fu Ruzhi had his failings, toward the late Emperor and toward His Majesty he was unfailingly loyal and devoted——” The dim and lightless eyes of Fang Shi filled with the glimmer of tears. “Could Your Highness perhaps, for the sake of Chan Yu’s father, grant Chan Yu one chance to mend his ways?”

“……How do you expect me to forgive him?” Shen Zhuxi asked.

Fang Shi rose from the reclining bed, felt her way along its edge, and knelt down before Shen Zhuxi.

She prostrated herself deeply, and even against the soft carpet, her forehead produced a heavy, muffled sound of impact.

Shen Zhuxi saw that the small patch of carpet before her was gradually becoming soaked with spreading moisture.

“This subject’s wife dares not hope that Chan Yu could be worthy of Your Highness — only that his life be spared, and that he be allowed to live out his years.” Fang Shi said.

Shen Zhuxi thought of Li Wu, whose fate was unknown, and hesitated.

It was also precisely because of Li Wu’s unknown fate that she did not refuse outright, and instead asked further: “Do you have a way to persuade him to return governance to His Majesty?”

“Whether it will work or not — one can only know after trying.” Fang Shi said.

“……Very well.”

After a moment of silence, Shen Zhuxi said:

“I will wait for your news. As long as he is willing to return governance to His Majesty, I will not take his life.”

As for whether Li Que and Li Kun would take his life — that was no longer her concern.

Upon hearing this, Fang Shi exhaled as though a great weight had been lifted, and prostrated herself with another deep, heavy bow.

Shen Zhuxi stepped down from the bed and held Fang Shi’s arms with both hands, intending to help her rise.

A jade ring pendant slipped from inside Shen Zhuxi’s collar and hung suspended just before Fang Shi’s eyes.

Fang Shi’s color changed drastically — the blood drained from her face as though something had drawn it all away, and in an instant she turned as white as paper. After Shen Zhuxi helped her to her feet, her eyes remained fixed, staring at the jade ring pendant at Shen Zhuxi’s chest, her body rigid and motionless, struck still as though by lightning.

“This……” She reached out a trembling hand, wanting to touch the jade ring pendant, yet pulled it sharply back. Immediately after, she lifted her head abruptly to look at Shen Zhuxi, and those dim and lightless eyes seemed in this instant to have leapt with bright fire.

“This……this piece of jade……Your Highness, from where did you obtain it?” Fang Shi said in a hoarse voice.

Surprised by the intensity of her reaction, Shen Zhuxi answered her question truthfully.

“In truth, I have already wed in the common world — this is something Fu Xuanmiao already knows.” Shen Zhuxi picked up the jade at her chest, and could not help revealing a faint smile at the touch of Li Wu’s gift. “This piece of jade is a heirloom jade of my husband, Li Wu.”

Fang Shi’s body gave way, and she suddenly sank toward the floor.

Shen Zhuxi quickly released the jade ring pendant and used both hands to support her.

Yet Fang Shi was like a pool of water, crumpling to the floor, and no amount of support could hold her up.

The doubt in Shen Zhuxi’s heart grew larger and larger, until the doubt finally became a bolt of lightning, splitting apart the fog in her mind.

Her own expression changed abruptly.

“You recognize this jade ring?!”