A Couple's Late-Night Talk

Autumn night, the sky was high and crisp, stars filling the heavens.

In the flower hall of the rear garden, a single oil lamp burned like a bean, its dim bluish cold light illuminating a space three feet around it. Lin Qi and Princess Qingli sat facing each other with a small square table between them, upon which stood two jugs of fine wine and several small dishes.

There were eight dishes in all. The four before Princess Qingli were vegetarian: cold pine nuts and walnuts, cold yellow sprouts, cold golden needles, and cold button mushrooms. Rich sesame oil, mixed with finely shredded sesame leaves, had been drizzled over these four cold dishes. They were fragrant enough to make one's mouth water, their colors exceptionally enticing.

The four dishes before Lin Qi needed no explanation—nothing but meat and fish. Especially the large crimson porcelain plate closest to him, upon which sat an enormous honey-braised bear paw. Who knew how he could have such an appetite in the middle of the night?

This was supposed to be their wedding night, but after Lin Qi's brutal outburst, the blood and pulp of several minor protectors from the Miro Divine Cult had splattered all over the bridal chamber. Neither of them was in the mood for that sort of thing, so they had simply prepared wine and food in the rear garden to chat and clear their minds. In a secluded room just beyond the wall from them, Lin Nue was clutching Barrel as they guzzled wine by the mouthful, the two of them raising such a ruckus that the place was in utter chaos.

Princess Qingli stared blankly at Lin Qi with her limpid eyes. After a long while, she let out a heavy breath.

"It has been many years since I