Great Tang, Chang'an.
The cold wind of late autumn swept through the long streets, and the clamor of the markets and neighborhoods gradually died away.
The young emperor finished reviewing the last memorial, closed it, and casually set it to one side of the imperial desk.
He raised a hand and rubbed his aching brow. With the affairs of state settled, the moment his mind relaxed, his thoughts drifted afar of their own accord.
"I wonder what things are like now for White Elder and the others, following Gu Yue to that legendary Land of Immortals and Gods..."
The emperor sighed, lifted the lukewarm tea on the desk, and took a sip, only to find it utterly tasteless.
"And they've been gone so long without sending back a single word."
The old eunuch standing at his side hurriedly consoled him. "Your Majesty, please set your mind at ease. Nothing will happen... Her Highness has always acted with prudence. And this time, she went to the heavens alone, bearing the livelihood and settlement of tens of thousands from Great Tang upon her shoulders. With countless matters demanding her attention, she must simply be too busy to spare herself."
"Gu Yue being busy is naturally no problem."
The emperor glared, saying irritably, "But what about White Elder and the others? So many people from Great Tang went with her. Don't tell me every last one of them is so busy they can't even spare the time to write a letter?"
"Uh..."
The old eunuch stiffened at the question, then looked helplessly at him. "Your Majesty, that is the Land of Immortals and Gods, separated from our Great Tang by who knows how many tens of thousands of miles... Sending messages there must be exceedingly difficult. For the time being, news simply cannot