A Way Out

"It's you..." Zhou Sheng stared at him for a long while. "At a time like this, what have you come looking for me for?"

The visitor was none other than Young Master Chen, Chen Qiran, with whom he had once shared wine, women, moonlit verses, and poetic couplets.

After returning from Shangyuan, Zhou Sheng had naturally considered giving his brothers a helping hand, so that once he went to the Capital Region to take up office, they could follow him there as well. Yet in barely two months, all those companions had changed their tune. Not only had they refused his goodwill, they had even urged him not to oppose Jinxia—especially the Prefectural Assistant of the Affairs Bureau.

After that, they had simply shut their doors and refused to see him, not even accepting the calling cards he sent when he came to visit. This near-total break left Zhou Sheng utterly bewildered. When he had departed Yancheng, they had escorted him ten li and flattered him, saying he would surely pass the examinations with flying colors. The gulf between those two attitudes was so vast that the great talent Zhou had cursed them more than once for betraying faith and righteousness.

"I left a calling card before, but never received a reply. This time, I tried pushing the door and found it wasn't locked, so..." Young Master Chen seemed to want to explain why he had entered without announcing himself.

Zhou Sheng cut him off directly. "Speak plainly. What exactly have you come for?"

The other man gave a bitter smile. "Young Master Zhou, won't you at least invite me inside to sit?"

He fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "There's no tea."

"Plain cold water will do."

The two returned indoors, and Zhou Sheng poured him a