Early morning:
Sima Fengchang washed and dressed, his clothes neat and tidy.
He embraced each of his wives and concubines, sharing a moment of intimacy with every one of them.
Finally, he called in his many children.
He spoke with them about the Great Gan Empire, about the surrounding empires, and about the state of the Sima Family.
One daughter sensed that something was wrong and asked softly, "Father, has the family encountered danger?"
Sima Fengchang fell silent for a moment. Rather than answering directly, he told them:
"I'm going out for a while. If I haven't returned by the time the lamps are lit, pack your things and leave Great Qian."
"Go to the desert, take the Green Corridor to Chimon, then make your way to other empires."
"It would be best if you could reach the secondary continent."
Everyone was horrified.
Shortly afterward, Sima Fengchang rose to his feet and headed straight for the Liuli River outside the Imperial Capital.
With wind and snow all along the way, when Sima Fengchang reached the pavilion fifty li away, he remembered seeing off the old Prime Minister yesterday with warmed wine.
There was still a wine cup on the stone table.
White snow had piled up inside the cup.
He turned the cup over in his hand, and the snow melted.
He drank the snow water.
Then he rose and continued onward.
But after taking only two steps, he saw that solitary grave of Bai Five.
"A mighty New Realm martial artist, lying in there without a sound!"
"No one has even burned a stick of incense for you."
"I wonder if you're warm down there underground!"
The sight stirred sorrow in him. Sima Fengchang sighed with emotion and headed straight for the Liuli River.
By the river:
An old