Dark clouds moved like ink across the sky, churning swiftly at the horizon’s edge. Moonlight hid behind them, appearing and disappearing.
The same vast sky arched over all of Chang’an. While Prince Wei seethed in his estate, Ren Yao was kneeling in the Marquis Pingnan estate’s ancestral hall, facing the row of solemn, silent memorial tablets above, and said stubbornly: “I did nothing wrong.”
“How dare you still speak such wild words!” Behind her, the Old Madam of the Marquis Pingnan estate struck the porcelain floor tiles three heavy times with her walking stick. “Ren Yao — let me ask you this: today you spoke back to your aunt and uncle, defied your elders, and had the audacity to play polo alongside men. Do you admit your wrongdoing?”
Ren Yao could not understand it. She had won victory earlier that day, and had also been received by the Empress — the Empress had personally promised to arrange an official posting for her. Such wonderful news — why was her grandmother still punishing her?
She held her neck stiff, fixed her gaze on her father’s memorial tablet directly ahead, and said through gritted teeth: “I did nothing wrong! I clearly did very well — the Prince of Linzi and Prince Shao both said I played excellently. The Empress even personally summoned me and said I was a model for women. I am about to receive an official posting. Once I have a position, I can frequent the official world, and perhaps one day when I render merit, I can petition His Majesty’s grace to allow me to inherit the Marquis Pingnan estate! Grandmother — we no longer need to adopt an heir. I can uphold Father’s legacy and guard the Ren family name myself. Are you not glad?”
Old Madam Ren supported herself on her walking stick and looked in silence at the young and spirited granddaughter before her. Ten thousand feelings surged up at once, and in the end left only a deep and aching sorrow.
Old Madam Ren said with grief: “Your mother was gone before you were even born. Your father was always on the battlefield and had no time to care for you — he could only leave you with an old woman like me. If a child goes untaught, the fault lies with the father; that you were not taught well is my failing. All these years, how have I told you? Do not fight for first place, do not be reckless and bold. Just stay quietly in the estate and wait for a suitable marriage — everything else I will take care of. And how did you heed those words? Without a single word, you ran off to Chang’an and vanished for three or four months. Today you even had the audacity to take the field against princes. Who do you think you are, daring to challenge Prince Wei and Prince Shao? Dragging yourself into a princes’ power struggle — you might not even know how you died!”
“Then what should I do instead — watch helplessly as generations of the Ren family’s hard work falls into the hands of a man who does nothing but gamble and chase pleasure, and let those people destroy everything my father bought back with his life?”
Ren Yao also broke: “Do you think I want to dodge behind others? Do you think I enjoy being scrutinized by those men, putting up with the discomfort and still having to humble myself over and over again? I know perfectly well how dangerous it is to be drawn into a succession rivalry — but I have no choice. I do not want to stop my ears and close my eyes, marry a man I cannot even respect, and live out my life that way — then lie to myself that being a devoted wife and mother is happiness. I would rather open my eyes and fight for every last thing I can. Even if the chances are the thinnest thread, I want to try.”
“You dare say more!” Old Madam Ren was furious and raised her walking stick to strike Ren Yao across the back.
The stick was made of solid wood, worn smooth and round by the passage of years — it stung sharply when it struck a person. Ren Yao endured the pain and refused to dodge a single blow, saying: “Even if you beat me to death today, Grandmother, I must say this — I will not let Father’s title fall into the hands of those rats of that branch. If the Ren family must fall, let it fall in my hands!”
Ren Yao had been raised single-handedly by Old Madam Ren. Old Madam Ren had watched her grow from something as frail as a small kitten into a young woman. Each stroke that landed on Ren Yao’s body — how could it not pain Old Madam Ren as well?
Old Madam Ren could bring herself to strike no more. She shuffled to a stop and lowered her walking stick, tears streaming down her face in grief: “Yaoyao — I have lived to this age, and I have felt everything there is to feel — what I should have, and what I should not. For the Ren family to have had your father and elder brother as loyal heroes is enough. All I hope for you is a life of peace and safety, to live as an ordinary young woman, with ordinary days.”
“His Majesty the Empress could do it. Shangguan Wan’er could do it. Why must I live like an ordinary woman?”
Ren Yao’s back was burning. Old Madam Ren had not held back in those blows, and even Ren Yao was struggling to endure — but she felt no sense of wrongdoing and refused to bow her head: “Grandmother — would you rather pass the family estate to men who do nothing but race horses and fight cocks than pass it to me? Why? I am your only granddaughter. Why is it that even you will not support me?”
Qingshuang was the maid who served Old Madam Ren and had been standing watch outside the ancestral hall. When she heard that the sounds from within had taken a turn for the worse, she hurried inside — and arrived just in time to hear Ren Yao’s words.
Qingshuang let out a sigh: “Young Mistress — Old Madam has not been sleeping well for several nights on your account. Everything she thinks about is for your sake. Please show Old Madam some compliance, and stop distressing her.”
Ren Yao also feared pushing her grandmother until something went wrong with her health. Her father had died on the battlefield, and Ren Yao had not even been able to see him one final time. In all the Ren family, only the two of them, grandmother and granddaughter, were left to depend on one another. Ren Yao’s eyes grew hot. She held herself stiffly upright and said: “Grandmother, this granddaughter has been unfilial. You may beat or scold me as you see fit. But do not let it harm your own health on my account. Qingshuang — please help Grandmother back to rest.”
Seeing that the young mistress still would not yield, Qingshuang let out one long sigh and helped Old Madam Ren back to her room. The sound of footsteps gradually faded. Only then did Ren Yao’s body relax slightly — and immediately, a searing pain spread across her back.
Ren Yao looked up, out the window, toward the heavy darkness of the sky. Dark clouds rolled through the night sky like churning ink. Moonlight threaded in and out of the cloud layers, appearing and vanishing, shifting without pattern — just like her fate.
At this same moment, Jiang Ling was making his way through the dim moonlight, striding with excitement toward the main courtyard. A servant hurried along after him: “Young Master — it is already so late. Whatever you need to say to the Marquis, can it not wait until morning? Please slow down — careful not to trip.”
But Jiang Ling paid no attention. He did not even bother to take a lantern, and strode ahead with long steps: “I won a polo match today — something this good, why should I wait? By tomorrow I will have forgotten all the details.”
Marquis Jiang’an had been calling him good-for-nothing for years, and over time Jiang Ling himself had come to feel he was not much use. But today he had done something genuinely worth holding his head up over. He could not wait to share the details of the match with his father — how the strategy had been organized, how many times the struggle for the ball had hung on a knife’s edge, and how in the end they had even clashed with Prince Wei…
Jiang Ling had so many things he wanted to tell his father, but Marquis Jiang’an had been attending a banquet in the palace and had only just returned. Jiang Ling had held it in all afternoon — the moment he heard his father was back, he could not wait another breath and rushed right over.
Jiang Ling had not taken a lantern, and only brought one servant, so making his way through the darkened main courtyard attracted no one’s attention. Jiang Ling did not mind being overlooked by the household staff. He had not announced himself and walked directly toward the main room.
The door to the main hall stood open. Beyond lay a layered arrangement of pearl curtains, folding screens, and display cabinets that made it impossible to see to the far end at a glance. Jiang Ling was just about to step through the door when voices drifted through the swaying glass bead curtains, winding and drifting toward his ears.
“My Lord — today the Young Master took the field to play polo, and played quite creditably. This concubine was entirely unaware that the Young Master had developed such accomplished riding skills. Truly, I have been negligent.”
A man gave a short, contemptuous laugh: “And what if he rides well? He still did not score a single point. I suspect he saw the excitement and made a scene to join in, and Prince Shao allowed him in out of deference to the Jiang family’s face. What nonsense — how old is he, and still not an ounce of self-awareness. The way he plays polo, if he had caused Prince Shao to lose before the Empress to Prince Wei, could he have borne that responsibility? Fortunately the second son of the Duke Zhenguo estate was there, and claimed the majority of the points. The young woman of the Marquis Pingnan estate also had courage — she dared to contest the ball against Prince Wei’s people. Today’s victory was entirely down to those two. Having Jiang Ling mixed in among them — that is nothing but an embarrassment to me.”
The servant went rigid in an instant, and hurried to look up at Jiang Ling. Jiang Ling’s face was perfectly expressionless. He stood outside the door and listened as his stepmother and father spoke inside the warm inner room: “My Lord, the Young Master is still young — you are too harsh on him.”
“Too harsh? Ming, the second son of the Ming family, is one year younger than him. Look at that young man, then look at him! These years I have given him only the very best — the finest tutors, the smoothest paths laid out before him. Whenever he caused trouble, no matter how serious, I cleaned it up for him. And what came of it? He is mud that will not stick to any wall!”
“My Lord.” The gentle, water-soft voice of Lady Zhou followed: “The Young Master is only seventeen — still a child. Once he marries, he will settle down and become sensible.”
Marquis Jiang’an let out a cold laugh: “I have no more expectations of him. If he can be a quietly comfortable man of leisure and not cause me trouble, that is enough. But you are right — the matter of his marriage should indeed be considered. He has nothing to do with himself; better to have him marry early and produce an heir for the Jiang family — that would at least be his contribution. Zhijun — you choose the wife for the Young Master. Make sure she is well-read and mannerly, sensible and virtuous — someone who will not indulge him. As for family background and appearance, those can be secondary considerations.”
A note of pleasure entered Lady Zhou’s voice: “My Lord, be at ease. This concubine will do her very best and find a fine match for the Young Master. It is not this concubine boasting — I feel my elder brother’s daughter from home would be very suited to the Young Master. That child Lanzhen has been steeped in the Four Books and Five Classics since childhood, gentle and filially devoted, praised by everyone at home. This concubine’s heart truly treats the Young Master as a son, but this concubine is his stepmother — not many years older than him — and some words, if spoken, would be called flattery; left unspoken, they invite accusations of cruelty. I truly do not know the right way to proceed. If Lanzhen were to marry in, having her in the middle to mediate, this concubine and the Young Master might also get along more harmoniously.”
Marquis Jiang’an slapped the table decisively and said with cold authority: “I should like to see who would dare say a word! You need only act freely — beat when it calls for beating, scold when it calls for scolding. If anyone dares make a sound, sell them off. You are his mother; the matter of the Young Master’s wife is entirely in your hands. If you think your niece is suitable, have her brought into the estate to meet him another day. If the match seems right, it can be settled.”
“Thank you, my Lord. Second Son — have you finished writing your policy essay? Hurry and bring it for your father to look over.”
“Father.” A child’s voice rang out — though the child was trying hard to sound like a grown-up, one could still hear the youthfulness in it. Marquis Jiang’an burst out laughing and scooped his younger son up, asking: “What books did Second Son read today — what did you get up to?”
The child recounted to his father in a measured, serious manner that he had played a game with his little friends today and won. Marquis Jiang’an listened and laughed heartily. Lady Zhou also gave a soft laugh, occasionally adding a word or two. The room glowed with warm amber lamplight, comfortable and bright.
The servant cast cautious sidelong glances at Jiang Ling, wanting to say something and holding back.
Jiang Ling was like a traveler who had set out in high spirits, only to be caught in a sudden downpour right before the destination — all his excitement extinguished in an instant. He turned calmly and said quietly: “Let us go.”
Jiang Ling walked quickly out of the main courtyard, his steps faster now than when he had arrived. The servant had to half-jog to keep up. He asked Jiang Ling carefully from behind: “Young Master — you have come all this way. You are not going in to greet the Marquis — you are leaving just like this?”
“I thought it over and realized there is actually nothing much to say.” Jiang Ling said evenly. “Father and my stepmother and Second Brother are chatting so happily together. If I went in, I would only be disturbing their family. It is not really such a big thing anyway. Let us go.”
Jiang Ling walked quickly along the covered walkway. The moon moved through the clouds, and for a moment cast a clean, pale light down through the treetops before being swallowed again by heavy clouds. From the street came the sound of the night watchman — the clear ring of the gong passing through thousands of homes, so that by the time it reached the Duke Zhenguo estate, it had become only a faint, muffled thud.
Inside Yanshou Hall, the lights were bright. The Duke Zhenguo’s family sat before Old Madam Ming. The Duke asked: “Mother — you asked this son to stay behind. Is there something you wished to tell us?”
Old Madam Ming set down her teacup and said in a weighty tone: “Second Son’s official posting will come before long. I wished to ask you father and son — do you have any plan in mind for the appointment?”
That evening after dinner, Old Madam Ming had kept the Duke Zhenguo back in an unusual departure from her usual habits, and Ming Huashang and Ming Huazhang had also remained at her side. Ming Huashang quietly set down her teacup and stole a quick glance at Ming Huazhang beside her — she could already guess roughly what Old Madam Ming was about to say.
The Duke Zhenguo took a relaxed view of the matter: “Let this be Second Son’s decision. He has grown up now — what he wants to do, what he ought to do, he has it figured out in his own mind.”
Old Madam Ming and everyone present looked toward Ming Huazhang. Ming Huazhang paused briefly, then said plainly: “In reply to Grandmother and Father — I have heard that the Jing Zhaoyiin’s post is being reassigned to another region. I wish to go to the Jing Zhao Office.”
Everyone was taken aback. Old Madam Ming’s expression changed entirely, and she frowned deeply: “The Jing Zhao Office? Second Son — do you know why a perfectly fine capital official like the Jing Zhaoyiin was transferred to a regional posting? Precisely because he offended people. The Jing Zhaoyiin is nominally the chief administrator of Chang’an, overseeing the affairs of the capital region. But it is a thankless position — every trifling matter in Chang’an gets pushed to the Jing Zhao Office’s door. And yet, with so many powerful figures in the capital, what can the Jing Zhaoyiin actually manage? The office has enormous responsibilities and heavy accountability. The slightest misstep means making enemies. Fifteen Jing Zhaoyiins in ten years — it is truly no good posting.”
Ming Huazhang of course knew: in Chang’an, where dropping a signboard from a height would land it on three powerful figures, serving as the city’s administrative head was no enviable position. But it was precisely because people came and went so rapidly through the office, and every incumbent dared not act boldly for fear of making mistakes, preferring to do as little as possible and wait to be transferred away, that the Jing Zhao Office’s capacity to handle cases had become so deficient.
At the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, Ming Huazhang had seen firsthand how sloppy the Jing Zhao Office’s case-handling was. That the constables were unprofessional and inattentive was still somewhat understandable — but what truly plagued the Jing Zhao Office was its attitude: a disregard for human life permeating every level, a thoroughgoing indifference to duty.
Chang’an was the ancestral capital of the Tang of the Li house. If even the grievances of Chang’an’s common people could not find redress and appeal, what face did the Li Tang have to rule the realm and receive the offerings of ten thousand people?
Ming Huazhang said: “In reply to Grandmother — this grandson knows. But it is for exactly that reason that I must stand forward boldly and be the first to dare.”
Ming Huashang’s eyes moved quietly, settling on Ming Huazhang. He sat upright, the line of his nose high and refined as a mountain ridge, his lashes long and full, his eyes deep and clear as lacquer. The line of his jaw drew this beautiful face together with one sweep, like the most renowned painter completing a final stroke — both form and spirit fixed in this moment.
Such words from another’s mouth might carry the smell of empty fame-seeking. From his, Ming Huashang simply believed he meant them.
Old Madam Ming was deeply dissatisfied with this answer. She frowned and said: “Second Son — officialdom is not a schoolroom. Noble intentions are all well and good, but they are worthless without advancement. Your heart is in the right place, but among this batch of scholars there are so many, including a number of men from humble origins who need not be spared. There will be those among them who will go to the Jing Zhao Office and make enemies there. You should seek a refined and prestigious position and cultivate your career carefully.”
Ming Huashang sensed what was coming — and sure enough, Old Madam Ming continued: “This old woman met the wife of the Minister of Personnel today. She holds you in very high regard. As it happens, the Minister has a daughter of the same age as you — a bright, well-read young woman, pleasant and likeable. Another day I will invite Madam Wu to the Duke Zhenguo estate for a visit. You and the Minister’s daughter can get acquainted, talk about poetry and literature…”
Ming Huazhang had already understood Old Madam Ming’s intention. He interrupted her at once, and said with cool directness: “I am grateful for Grandmother’s good intentions, but I have not given thought to marriage. Madam Wu’s kind regard is more than I can bear.”
Old Madam Ming had been so bluntly cut short that her expression turned markedly unpleasant: “It is only a garden party — let you meet the young lady of the Wu family, nothing more. Miss Wu has read widely since childhood, following her father’s studies. You have also devoted yourself to history and literature from a young age — the two of you might well find a great deal to discuss.”
Ming Huazhang said coldly: “I studied history and literature — not for the purpose of trading witticisms with young ladies from the inner chambers.”
Old Madam Ming was stung into sharper displeasure: “Miss Wu’s family background is outstanding, and she is a young woman of genuine talent and cultivation. I cannot count how many men outside would love to seek a match with the Minister of Personnel’s daughter and cannot. To introduce such a fine young woman to you, and you will not even consider it — could it be that you prefer the kind who is ignorant and empty-headed, a foolish woman with no learning?”
Everyone could hear that Old Madam Ming was speaking in anger. But Ming Huazhang paused in a suspiciously telling way, then said: “If I were ever to take a wife, I would only do so because I am fond of her. What I would cherish is the person herself. As for whether she likes to read, what she wishes to do — those are entirely her own freedoms.”
Hearing Ming Huazhang’s words in the heat of her fury, Old Madam Ming’s expression shifted rapidly. Her gaze sharpened: “What do you mean by that? Could it be that you already have someone in mind?”
This was far more serious than Ming Huazhang simply being unwilling to meet the Minister’s daughter. Old Madam Ming’s face changed at once, and she pressed urgently: “Who is she? Where is she from? What family does she have? What do her father and brothers do?”
Old Madam Ming’s questions came one after another without pause. Ming Huazhang only quietly lowered his eyes and showed no sign whatsoever of cooperating. Everyone inside and outside Yanshou Hall felt the tension, and they braced themselves — and then, surprisingly, it was the Duke Zhenguo who spoke first.
“Mother!” The Duke interrupted Old Madam Ming’s words. His expression was set and grave as he said: “Second Son has his own judgment. In matters like this, follow his lead — you need not concern yourself.”
Old Madam Ming heard this and grew angrier: “Follow his lead? The word of parents, the offices of a matchmaker — in matters of marriage, when has any family let the young ones decide for themselves?”
“Second Son is different from ordinary young men.” The Duke, who had always been filially devoted to his mother, was unusually firm today and held his position without wavering: “In marriage, let Second Son decide. He will marry whoever he chooses — and if for now he has no wish to wed, waiting a few more years is no great matter. You stay home and enjoy your peace, Mother. These matters — please do not involve yourself.”
The Duke Zhenguo had actually used the word “involve yourself” — implying she was overstepping — when she was only arranging her grandson’s marriage. Old Madam Ming was furious. The Duke, seizing the moment, gave a meaningful look to Ming Huazhang and Ming Huashang: “I have something I need to discuss with Mother. You two, step back for now.”
Ming Huashang quickly rose. Ming Huazhang remained seated, as if about to say something — and was forcibly pulled up by Ming Huashang: “Then we will not disturb Father and Grandmother’s discussion. Second Elder Brother, let us go.”
Ming Huazhang had no recourse and was pulled out the door. After leaving Yanshou Hall, Ming Huashang took the palace lantern from Zhao Cai and sent the maids away. She held the lantern to light the path and said to Ming Huazhang: “Second Elder Brother — Grandmother has been strong-willed her whole life and only does what she believes is good for this family. This is simply her nature. Do not take it to heart. I get scolded by her every day for failing to make progress — I have grown used to it.”
“I know.” Ming Huazhang knew Old Madam Ming’s temperament. Even having been pressured into discussing marriage just now, there was no resentment on his face. He walked side by side with Ming Huashang in the crisp autumn wind. The stars above were dim, and only the faint glow in her hand lit the path ahead and behind for the two of them.
Ming Huazhang was quiet for a moment, then asked: “Did she say something to you again today?”
“Nothing serious — I have heard it so many times it no longer bothers me, not worth mentioning.” Ming Huashang said this, then for some reason she could not quite name, added without thinking: “Besides — she was busy today selecting a fine match for you. She had no energy left to lecture me.”
Ming Huazhang raised an eyebrow and looked at her sidelong: “You knew?”
“I even saw Madam Wu today. Miss Wu truly is a rare and excellent match. Second Elder Brother, are you really not moved?”
“What — do you hope I would agree?”
“That is your business — how would I know.” Ming Huashang looked straight ahead: “Anyway, the one about to face the evaluation at the Ministry of Personnel is not me. If you refuse the Minister’s daughter, you are the one whose career suffers for it. Why ask me? Could it be that if I do not hope for it, you will refuse?”
“Why not.”
The hand holding the lantern gave a sudden tremor, and the light swayed and flared. Ming Huazhang reached out and covered her hand with his to steady the lantern’s pole: “Be careful.”
Ming Huashang’s heart was pounding in all directions, and even the cold, sharp scent on him seemed suddenly heightened and restless. She gave a soft, annoyed sound, shook his hand off, and thrust the lantern into his arms: “If you want to carry it, carry it yourself. I am too tired to bother.”
Ming Huazhang accepted the lantern patiently and obligingly lit the path for her. Neither of them spoke. Only the autumn wind swept through their sleeves and long robes, rustling in the silence.
For the first time, Ming Huashang felt the path back to their courtyard was long. She was nominally still practicing as a Daoist, so she lived at a very remote part of the estate. Ming Huazhang had moved into the room next to hers, and on long nights, the two of them walked long stretches of the same path together. Ming Huashang felt that the silence was awkward and forced herself to say something: “Do you truly intend to go to the Jing Zhao Office?”
“Yes.” Ming Huazhang lowered his gaze, letting it rest on the side of her face. “Do you think it is a poor choice?”
“No — it suits you very well.” Ming Huashang paused briefly after she said this, then said in a deliberately light tone: “His Majesty has just returned to Chang’an and will certainly want the Jing Zhao Office in trusted hands. Your request will surely be granted. Allow me to offer my congratulations in advance, Second Elder Brother — may you achieve all you have hoped for.”
Old Madam Ming was worried about the Ministry of Personnel’s evaluation and had thought of using a marriage alliance to curry favor with its Minister — that was certainly a shortcut, but only for an ordinary person.
For someone like Ming Huazhang, with his dual identity as a shadow operative, his posting would be arranged at the Empress’s own discretion, and the Minister of Personnel would have no hand in it at all. Winning the Minister’s favor was entirely unnecessary.
Ming Huazhang gave a quiet laugh and said: “Your congratulations always stay at the level of words. The day the results were posted was the same, and your congratulations for the official posting will surely be the same. A gift from my younger sister — I fear I am fated never to receive one.”
Ming Huashang felt this was a complete injustice — how did verbal congratulations not count as a gift? She said: “Did I not make a pouch for you last time?”
Was that “made for”? That was something Ming Huazhang had taken for himself. He asked at once: “And today’s polo match? You clearly said that if I won, you had a gift prepared — and in the end you gave it to everyone. I did not even receive a single word of congratulation.”
Ming Huashang’s memory fell into slight confusion. Had she not said anything? She fumbled for a moment, then offered tentatively: “Congratulations, Second Elder Brother?”
Ming Huazhang gave a quiet, fastidious sound — proud and composed to the extreme. Ming Huashang thought: and just what do you have to be proud about, letting out a sound like that. She said indignantly: “Whose fault is it? You walked off without even a word of farewell — you did not consider me at all. And now you blame me?”
Ming Huazhang had never encountered someone who could be so thoroughly shameless about turning the tables on another, and still look so entirely justified. She had been occupied talking to Su Xingzhi. He had stood there watching her for a long while, and even when he left, she had not noticed. And she dared to bring this up?
Ming Huazhang said slowly: “I wonder who it is that only has eyes for newly-met elder brothers and sisters, but treats her real elder brother with cool indifference.”
Ming Huashang was caught off guard, and the first words that came out were: “You also have other younger sisters, you know.”
The moment she said it, Ming Huashang regretted it. Ming Huazhang raised an eyebrow and bent forward to press her: “Who?”
Ming Huashang despised her own inability to control her mouth. She deflected and stalled for a while, then said: “How would I know? As long as you are willing — Miss Wu’s younger sister, Miss Zhou’s younger sister, Miss Li’s younger sister — there are plenty to choose from.”
Ming Huazhang assumed she was still dwelling on Old Madam Ming pushing him toward a match, and he held the lone lantern up and gazed at the night sky: “Great ambitions remain unfinished — what need is there for a household of my own? You do not wish to marry either — so I will keep you company.”
Ming Huashang’s heart gave a sharp, hard lurch. But she immediately thought better of it — an elder brother saying to comfort a younger sister that neither of them would marry and they would keep each other company — this proved nothing whatsoever.
Ming Huashang stared down at the shadows of trees, and Ming Huazhang, seeing she was silent, looked at her for a wordless moment, then said: “I remember you said once that you wanted to marry someone like me, or like Father. Have you found that person?”
Ming Huashang pursed her lips and was quiet for a long moment, then said almost inaudibly: “No.”
“Good.” Ming Huazhang shifted the lantern to his other hand, and gently patted her head — as though sighing — “As long as you have not found that person, I can still keep you company for a long time.”