Xiang An lay on the steps outside his room, leaning against a pillar beside the bluestone stairs. With his hands behind his head, he watched clouds obscure half the moon, lost in thought.
"Yo." Xiang Yu walked over and sat beside him. "What are you thinking about? You look so serious."
"Brother." Xiang An answered absently, pursing his lips without saying anything else.
"Thinking about what happened with Liao Ye during the day?" Xiang Yu pulled a steamed bun from his robes and tossed it to Xiang An. Then, from who knew where, he produced a jug of wine and two bowls, setting them on the steps with two clacks before pouring himself a drink.
"Where'd you get this wine?" Xiang An answered with another question, pointing at the bowl.
"I swiped a bottle from Uncle's wine cellar." Xiang Yu chuckled. "You not drinking?"
"How could I not drink?" Xiang An sat up, picked up a bowl, and clinked it against Xiang Yu's. Then the two brothers tipped back their heads, and a bowl of wine vanished apiece.
"Hah..." Wiping the corner of his mouth, Xiang Yu asked again, "So? Why are you sitting out here instead of sleeping?"
"Um... probably... sigh." Scratching his head, Xiang An looked at Xiang Yu. "Brother, you know Uncle came to see me this evening, right?"
"Yeah. I think he talked to you a little about Liao Ye." Xiang Yu nodded and continued pouring wine.
"After I finished brushing Torrent Gallop, I went to see Liao Ye and talked with him. About what happened before he came to Kuaiji." Xiang An accepted the wine Xiang Yu poured, his expression complicated.
"He used to be a soldier of Chu, but he never truly received the status of a Chu soldier. It was like he'd been