The incident was sudden; the Spring Banquet had not yet concluded. Though what Ye Tingyan had done was extreme, Song Lan knew full well it was the result of being pushed too hard by Yu Qiushi, and could not help feeling a flash of thin anger.

Seeing him about to speak, Luowei quickly stepped forward and said in a low voice: “Your Majesty, the Spring Banquet has not yet ended. To summon the imperial physicians here would only make the matter more widely known. Being within the Forbidden Palace, leaving him here alone would certainly be inappropriate. Let Your Majesty and the Grand Preceptor remain seated; this Lady will take Lord Ye down to have his wound tended.”

Song Lan gripped her hand and said: “It is a great trouble for Older Sister. Once Older Sister has seen to the arrangements, remember to come back — the scholars still need to hear words of encouragement from you and me.”

Luowei said: “Yes.”

Song Lan thought for a moment, then called out to someone nearby who was familiar: “Fengyíng, go with the Empress.”

Though described as familiar, it was because Luowei had often seen him before. The man in question was the Jintian Guard captain from whom Ye Tingyan had just seized the blade — his name was Lu Heng.

Lu Heng had also been the Eastern Palace guard who had come to escort her back to her family residence on the night of the Thorn-Crabapple case — a trusted subordinate of the late Crown Prince.

After Song Lan ascended the throne, she handed over the Jintian Guard command token, and Lu Heng naturally transferred his service to the new Emperor. Owing to the old bond between them, he had risen steadily, achieving the rank of Deputy Commander of the Palace Vanguard, and concurrently commanding the Jintian Guard — truly riding the crest of fortune.

Though under Yu Qiushi’s restraining influence the Jintian Guard currently fulfilled only its duty of protecting the Emperor’s safety, and could not yet handle certain unsavory matters on Song Lan’s behalf, these men had all been trained as loyal retainers by the late Crown Prince himself and were the most utterly devoted.

When Lu Heng raised his head, Luowei had already composed her expression — the coldness gone — and smiled at him as usual: “Fengyíng, your spirit doesn’t look very good today. Just now you couldn’t even react in time when Lord Ye — a mere civil official — seized your blade. Have you been overworking yourself of late?”

Lu Heng immediately knelt on one knee, bowing his head: “This official has been negligent in his duties.”

Luowei bowed to Song Lan, then teased: “How is it negligence — you guard His Majesty’s person day and night, and your merits are great. This Lady is only being kind, wishing to speak to His Majesty on your behalf and request a few days of imperial leave.”

Song Lan looked carefully and indeed found that Lu Heng’s complexion today was ashen, tinged with blue-white. He had been selected into the forest guard from childhood, and later won recognition and was promoted into the Emperor’s personal guard. He trained day and night with rare moments of rest — unless he was genuinely unwell, he would surely not have let Ye Tingyan seize the blade so easily.

And so Song Lan said: “Very well — the Empress is right. After the Spring Banquet ends, I shall grant you a few days of imperial leave; go home and rest well.”

On this side, Lu Heng was still giving his thanks, when Ye Tingyan was helped up by several young eunuchs and, staggering, knelt to take his leave of Song Lan. Song Lan stopped him from bowing and said: “I recall that after Ting Yan arrived in the capital, he only had a simple residence arranged, and servants are few. You have injured your shoulder; with no one to care for you, how will that do? If the imperial physician says it looks serious, then stay in the palace for a few days.”

The imperial city customarily did not permit outside officials to lodge within — this was a reward of the utmost generosity.

Ye Tingyan knew in his heart that these words were largely said for Yu Qiushi’s benefit and were not to be taken at face value, yet he still performed a performance of overwhelming gratitude: “This official gives thanks for His Majesty’s great kindness.”

Though what Ye Tingyan had suffered was not a fatal wound, a simple preliminary stanching of blood was insufficient. Luowei ordered a palanquin and had intended to allow him the exceptional privilege of not walking, but he refused absolutely; with no other choice, Luowei could only find the nearest suitable palace chambers in the West Garden — not far from the Vermilion Terrace — and settle him there.

The West Garden was now uninhabited by any imperial consorts. Apart from the eunuchs on watch-duty and a few maids who swept and tidied, there was no one else. The imperial physician was unfamiliar with the roads and arrived slowly. Fortunately, once he came, he dressed Ye Tingyan’s wound with quick, deft hands, and instructed the palace servants to boil a thick bowl of medicinal soup and pour it down his throat.

After drinking the medicinal soup, Ye Tingyan’s color finally looked somewhat better, and he had the strength to speak.

Luowei had originally intended to leave the imperial physician there, but the imperial physician said Ye Tingyan had other old wounds on his body and needed to go back and compound more medicines for him.

And so Luowei said: “It would certainly be inappropriate to leave Lord Ye here alone. These eunuch attendants are all palace people; Lord Ye might not feel at ease speaking to them. Does the Lord have any close friends at the banquet? This Lady will send someone to invite him to come and look after you for a while.”

Ye Tingyan pressed his hand over his newly bandaged wound and said with a weak smile: “This Lady’s kindness is appreciated. This official has a colleague by the name of Pei Xi — a scholar from last year’s examination list. Though we have not been acquainted long, we get along quite well. If he is willing, My Lady may invite him here on this official’s behalf.”

Luowei agreed, then turned and said: “Sending this Lady’s attendant to the banquet might be inappropriate. Fengyíng, I must still trouble you to make the trip.”

Lu Heng glanced around at the palace attendants standing in solemn attention, and then said: “Yes.”

He had barely left when Yan Luo at Luowei’s side said: “When the imperial physician departed just now, he left behind a palace servant to boil the medicines. This servant will go look in on it for My Lady.”

She bowed her head and withdrew, taking all the palace servants in the hall with her. In a moment, the quiet, sparse palace chamber held only Luowei and Ye Tingyan.

Luowei rose, and personally closed one of the flower-patterned windows beside Ye Tingyan.

Outside the window, plants that had put out dense growth with the very first stirrings of spring were flourishing. Ye Tingyan’s gaze wandered, and he sighed: “The Mantle flowers here are abundant, but spring is not the season when they bloom in their glory. It seems this official cannot enjoy the fine scenery together with My Lady.”

Luowei casually plucked a leaf, shut the window panels properly, and held the leaf up to examine it carefully. In a desultory tone she said: “What is the point of it even when they bloom — flowers that are born and die within a single day. They flourish and fall with the morning and dusk; protect the red bloom, not the favor bestowed upon it.” ¹

“My Lady and His Majesty are harmoniously matched — how can she speak with such heartless detachment?” Ye Tingyan leaned against the couch, his tone carrying an imperceptible mockery. “Even if My Lady does not trust in an emperor’s favor, she should trust in the affection… of old friends, should she not?”

Luowei suddenly released the leaf, letting it fall, and then raised her head and smiled at him: “Third Elder Brother, after so many years apart, is our old friend well?”

Ye Tingyan reached out to catch the fallen leaf and gazed at her quietly: “Does My Lady still remember this official?”

Luowei drew her wide court robe sleeves together and said casually by way of a small deception: “Of course. A moment ago I did not speak because I did not wish my involvement to make things worse between you and the Grand Preceptor. Please forgive me, Third Elder Brother.”

Ye Tingyan’s lips curved slightly, but his tone was cold: “My Lady speaks too seriously. In fact, it is this official who should be giving thanks — had My Lady not, under the pretext of moving the screen, arranged for the Jintian Guards to stand at this official’s side, how would this official have had the opportunity to resolve the situation just now? If this official had gone on bearing that slave brand, he would certainly have found every step a struggle in the Qiong Ting hereafter. This official thanks My Lady for giving him the chance to lay bare his own heart.”

Luowei gave him a sidelong glance and said with meaningful deliberateness: “You caught it yourself — there is no need to thank me.”

After a pause, she asked: “On the road, when you encountered me — was this the thing you wished to ask for?”

Ye Tingyan said: “This official had not seen My Lady in many years and could find no other opportunity. Startling the imperial palanquin — My Lady’s forgiveness is entreated.”

This person had indeed deliberately sought to see her.

Yet no matter what she asked, he only answered what was asked, and not a single word more — which aroused a spark of curiosity in her.

Luowei leaned toward him slightly, with deliberate provocation: “A moment ago Third Elder Brother spoke of the affection of old friends — and yet now even your form of address has grown distant? I am not speaking formally before you; why must you speak of ‘this official’ at every turn? Besides, you have been away from the capital all these years. I would have thought you had long forgotten all the affairs of your youth here.”

Ye Tingyan’s speech faltered, and a trace of gravity crept in: “This official naturally has not forgotten. I wonder — how much does My Lady still remember?”

Luowei said: “I naturally remember everything.”

Ye Tingyan replied: “Then this official is honored.”

The last word, he lost control of for just a moment — it trembled, Luowei thought.

Although it was not the memory she had kept close to her heart, Ye Tingyan had clearly not forgotten her. Since that was so, it was no harm to follow along with his words — perhaps there was even a way to make use of the situation.

The art of appearing to comply while harboring other intentions — she had long since mastered it.

With this in mind, Luowei opened her mouth to continue: “Third Elder Brother…”

But without warning, Ye Tingyan interrupted her abruptly: “My Lady should not address this official in that way.”

Just a moment ago his tone had been clearly that of a longing old friend, wishing to renew their past intimacy. She had no idea which of her words had been wrong — yet in the span of an instant he had entirely changed his manner.

Luowei lost her patience, knowing she could not remain alone with him much longer, and turned to walk toward the palace doors. She had taken a few steps before she opened her mouth again, not looking back: “This Lady last saw Lord Ye when we were both still young. Now, after so many years apart, things have changed greatly. Since Lord Ye speaks of the affection between old friends, this Lady would also like to ask after him with some concern… In all these years, in what ways has the Lord changed?”

Ye Tingyan stared at her retreating figure, and gripped the hem of the robe at his side with all his strength. The pale-blue veins on the back of his hand rose faintly, without easing for even a moment.

But his voice was as light and unhurried as clouds: “Growing up from boyhood — naturally there are changes. This official has been drifting with the world these past years, bending with the times… I no longer know if I am still the person My Lady once knew.”

Luowei paused for a moment, did not take up the thread of conversation, and simply pushed open the door before her.

Without knowing when, a fine rain had begun to fall outside.

“Fortunately, on the way here there was no rain. Otherwise, the wound on the Lord’s shoulder would have suffered yet more.”

For some reason, Yan Luo was not outside the door. Another of the Empress’s palace servants had gone to fetch an umbrella, and so Luowei stood for a moment under the eaves, gazing into the curtain of rain, and murmured: “I went away to the Eastern Mountain, wandering and not returning. I came back from the east, and the fine rain fell misting down… ² Clearly it is spring — how is the sky so changeable and unpredictable?”

A palace servant found an oiled paper umbrella and walked with Luowei into the curtain of rain. Before leaving, they did not forget to shut the door behind them.

Ye Tingyan leaned against the couch alone and finally let a flicker of dazed bewilderment show on his face.

He murmured, completing the verse as if speaking to himself: “Since I no longer saw you, it has already been three years… Tenderly she tied the sash in ceremony, ninety rites observed. How new and joyful was the time when all was fresh — but how now fares the old?” ³

He finished, and let out a low, self-deprecating laugh, addressing the empty air before him — as though asking himself: “My Lady sees fine rain and recites ‘Eastern Mountain’ — does she have in mind some old friend who has traveled far?”

No one answered.

The only answer was the urgent, anxious voice calling out through the curtain of rain a short while later.

“My Lady, something has happened——”

The Empress had not yet gone far. Through the soft whisper of the fine rain, he heard a composed and unhurried “What is it.”

Ye Tingyan’s eyebrow rose.