The candlelight painted the walls a bright yellow. The yellow swayed, then flickered as the wind seeping in pressed against it.
The empty plates and dishes on the table had been cleared away. The large table had been replaced with a smaller one, and Nan Di brought out a wooden box of fresh tea and a tea set.
White foam churned.
The fragrance of tea washed away the scent of wine.
Liang Qu sat on the stool, his hands hanging limp over his knees, utterly slack, exuding a weary dusk-like exhaustion.
"Madam."
"Thank you."
Long E Ying answered politely, took the hot tea, and set it before Xu Shi and Liang Qu.
Xu Shi had Nan Di close the door.
The hall grew stiller still. Breathing could be heard. A couple of autumn insects chirped sporadically in the courtyard, their cries far less fiery and spirited than in the height of summer.
Yang Dongxiong asked, "You're this exhausted? What happened? If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up..."
Liang Qu smiled. "Master, have you forgotten? Now, your disciple is one of the tall ones."
Yang Dongxiong sighed. "You cultivate too quickly. It is both good and bad. My cultivation can no longer help you much, but I do have some friends in the military, and I can count for something in the Imperial Court."
Liang Qu shook his head. "The Imperial Court can't help with this. If word gets out, it may even have the opposite effect."
"If we can't help, then talk to us. Look at your brows, your eyes—you're staring blankly as though you haven't slept enough. Where's that old quick-witted spirit of yours?" Xu Shi stroked Liang Qu's head. "The ancients said, 'Think upon the Way and compose an ode, if only to save