Rain pattered loudly, and swaying shadows of trees were still visible through the window.
The men who had searched Prince Lu's study returned, carrying a tray with a sheet of writing paper that had been crumpled and then smoothed out.
"Eunuch, we found this during the search."
Prince Lu instinctively moved to stand, but Eunuch Ma was quicker. He reached out and took the paper from the tray. One glance made his expression change slightly.
To whom can I pour out my grief?
An inch of tender heart, a thousand tangled threads.
Where has spring returned?
Fragrant grass fills the courtyard, dusk stretching to the sky.
In sorrow, I stand transfixed.
Alone, with all these feelings.
Unable to bear a backward glance.
This was a new lyric written to the tune of "River-Watching Lament." Had a secluded maiden or young wife written it, it would have been quite good, using the scenery of late spring to convey anguish and sorrow deep within the heart.
The whole lyric sighed three times with every lingering breath. Its language was beautiful, its imagery possessed the beauty of words ending while their meaning lingered on.
But Prince Lu had written it, and at such a time. That lingering meaning became resentment-and this resentful lyric had been seized from Prince Lu's study!
A lyric like this was enough to submit as evidence.
Prince Lu could no longer concern himself with anything else. He leaned forward to look, and his face changed drastically at the sight. He hurriedly said, "I didn't write this! Eunuch Ma, someone is framing me!"
Eunuch Ma smiled and quickly put the lyric away. "Sixth Lord, please remain calm. There are people who will determine whether you wrote it."
There were specialists dedicated to identifying handwriting.
Yet Prince Lu felt deeply uneasy.