Stars filled the vast night sky, and the breeze was mild.
Chen Yi removed his facial disguise, took off the blue robe he had worn for several days, and changed into a clean, comfortable casual robe. He immediately felt much more at ease.
The tension of the past several days and the lingering weariness of body and mind were swept away.
He was still himself. Or perhaps he only wanted to live as he wished.
Living every day behind an unfamiliar face was not what he wanted, but what circumstances forced upon him.
Only when he shed every disguise was he truly himself.
"Everyone wants to steal half a day of leisure from this fleeting life. Hah, easier said than done."
Difficult or not.
At least for now, the clamor of the Barbarian Tribe had left him behind. Great Asa, Longge Mowang, Muhage, and the others were all yesterday's faded flowers, not worth a smile.
The singing in the distant Side Chamber had not stopped. From the plaintive strains of Linjiangxian, it had moved on to "Jade steps, jade trees-like you, rare in the human world." It pleased Chen Yi and made him treasure these leisurely days all the more.
"Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing have returned safely. It's time the taller people shouldered the sky for the Xiao Family."
"As a matrilocal son-in-law idling his days away, I should stick to something easy."
"What's wrong with drinking tea and fishing?"
Once Chen Yi had tidied himself up and felt clean and dry, he took over the work Shui Hetong had left behind. Spreading out a blank sheet of Yunsong Paper, he dipped his brush in ink and began to write. "A healer must harbor a benevolent heart. Only then can one sense the Qi of heaven and earth, observe