Do You Know the Difference Between Silk and Satin?

"Really?" This was the first time they had talked about what happened in the mountains since escaping.

"Back then, all I could think was that you were already hurt. If I didn't stay strong and brave, neither of us would make it out of those mountains. Though we did come close."

With enough time behind them, they could even joke about the danger.

Xie Jin said, "But without everything you did in the days before that, we might never have made it that far. Uncle Gao and Aunt Gao wouldn't have found us."

"Put that way, I really did play a big part."

"A huge part. You were amazing."

"I wonder what Xie Hongwen is doing now."

Xie Jin said, "Trying to keep his grandmother and uncle happy at home?"

Shen Lantang laughed. "Poor kid."

"When I get back, the first thing I'm going to do is buy all my favorite snacks and eat until I'm sick."

"I have to report back to His Majesty."

"..."

Time passed. The sounds around them slowly faded, and as the breathing beside him grew steady, Xie Jin blinked in the darkness and silently said to himself:

Good night.

The next day, Xie Jin strolled out of the Zhao Residence and into a small teahouse. He had barely sat down when someone took the seat beside him.

"The target has left the inn and gone to the home of a local landowner named Liu. I heard the servants at the Liu Residence say there's a banquet tonight. It sounds like someone important is coming."

Tonight?

Lantang seemed to have said she wouldn't be home for dinner tonight.

"Understood. Keep investigating. I'll come by tonight."

"Yes."

The man lingered over his tea and did not leave until his cup was empty.

Xie