"Crimson feathers bore a star beyond Shuzhou's gates; Southern Li shared its fire to light the campaigning carriage. Fear not the dark frontier dust on this journey; the Flame Lodge hung high to guard the distant garrison."
As Chen Yi and the others walked toward Tingyu Pavilion's rear residence, they listened to Li Huaigu recite the poem he had written for Chen Yunfan.
When he finished, Li Huaigu smiled and handed Chen Yunfan the brocade box he held. "Brother Yunfan, this humble work is crude. Please don't refuse it."
Chen Yunfan naturally accepted it, though he was puzzled.
The banquet had yet to begin. No one had taken a seat or drunk any wine-by rights, Li Huaigu should not have been in such a hurry.
It was not just Chen Yunfan.
Chen Yi was equally puzzled.
He had known Li Huaigu for some time and understood his character well.
He was not the sort who liked to make a show of himself, as Chen Yunfan did.
Yet this time, he had been so eager to recite that poem-
Something was odd.
But what?
Chen Yi recalled how Li Huaigu had looked from the moment he approached them until he recited the poem.
His words and manner had been no different from usual.
If anything was odd, it was probably his gaze.
More precisely-there had been a hint of anxiety in Li Huaigu's eyes while he recited the poem.
Anxiety, urgency-what was he so urgent about?
Over and over, Chen Yi recalled Li Huaigu approaching, exchanging pleasantries, then reciting that poem.
That poem-
Crimson feathers bore a star beyond Shuzhou's gates; Southern Li shared its fire to light the campaigning carriage-
This was-
The Vermilion Bird!
A spark flashed through Chen Yi's mind, and he immediately understood Li Huaigu's intention.
Without