A Common Man's Resolve

"No, no..."

Qi Hongxin was awakened by his wife's voice. His eyes, still seeming veiled in mist, immediately cleared, and at last he saw who stood before him.

The knife-carved wrinkles on his face seemed to deepen, and he appeared to have aged a little more.

"So alike."

"I was muddleheaded."

Infinite disappointment showed in Qi Hongxin's eyes. After a brief moment of clarity, he began muttering nonsense again, his eyelids slowly closing as he fell into a deep sleep.

Su Ziji lowered his head to look at the old man. All at once, he realized that this fifty-six-year-old was as withered and frail as a bundle of dry firewood. His thoroughly washed-out clothes hung loose and oversized on him.

Without needing Su Ziji's help, Qi Zhou-shi carefully supported Qi Hongxin and laid him back down. Even a woman could easily help his body back onto the bed.

Yet neither Su Ziji nor Qi Zhou-shi noticed that Zeng Nianzhen, standing by the door, had a vein twitch in his hand. For one moment, his hand had already rested on the sword hilt, but for some unknown reason, he abandoned the thought and slowly released his grip.

Having seen Qi Hongxin, Su Ziji did not linger and bade Qi Zhou-shi farewell.

But after taking only a few steps out the door, the little maid from before came running out again and called, "Lord Su, please wait!"

Su Ziji turned back. She gave him a curtsy. "My mistress has something to give Lord Su. Please wait a moment."

Su Ziji was rather curious about what Qi Zhou-shi could possibly have to give him.

But when she gently handed him a stack of manuscripts, Su Ziji was truly somewhat surprised.

"Madam Zhou, what is this?"

"Lord Su, these are some insights my husband