Jiang Xun

The twenty-second day of the twelfth lunar month.

Chang'an.

The bustle in its wards and markets had not diminished in the slightest despite the snow filling the sky.

The decorated towers and festive gateways of the East Market had already been fitted with fresh peachwood charms. Bright red lanterns hung high, lending even the falling snow a hint of warmth.

Firecrackers sounded one after another. Children in thick padded jackets chased one another at the mouths of alleys, holding malt-sugar melons and humming nursery rhymes.

Whether noble scions or peddlers and porters,

all were swept up in this tide of joy as the year's end approached.

The Jiang Residence.

Some days earlier, news had spread that Jiang Xun had been cleared of the false charges against him, restored to his post, and additionally granted the title of Grand Guardian.

The residence's threshold had nearly been worn through by colleagues coming to congratulate him, and the line of gift-bearers stretched from one end of the alley to the other.

Yet once the excitement passed, the entrance to the Jiang Residence had grown somewhat desolate.

Those at court were adept at reading faces and taking their cues.

Since returning to the capital, Great Tang's Grand Princess Zhaoyue had not set foot in the Jiang Residence.

They were all secretly speculating about Her Highness's intentions.

In the rear garden.

Several wintersweet trees were in splendid bloom, their subtle fragrance drifting through the air.

Jiang Xun wore a thick, blue-cloth padded robe, his hands tucked into his sleeves as he stood beneath the covered walkway.

He was thin, and the white hair at his temples seemed to have grown more plentiful through these recent days of wind and frost.

Though he had now been restored to his post, there was not the slightest joy