Shen Fei stepped over the threshold of the Moon Listening Tower onto a polished wooden floor, which gave a faint, hollow sound beneath his feet.
The light inside was a little brighter than outside. Several oil lamps burned on stands in the corners, their warm yellow glow softening the entire hall.
The hall was small, with a low table in the center holding several plates of exquisite pastries and a jug of wine. The lattice windows on either side stood half open, and the breeze slipping through carried a faint scent of grass and trees.
Sikong Hongyue walked ahead of him, stopped beside the table, and turned to gesture for him to sit. "Please have a seat, Young Master Su."
Shen Fei sat down as invited, leaning against the wooden chair back as his gaze swept discreetly around the room.
The room looked elegant and had been thoughtfully furnished. An ink landscape painting hung on the wall, and a celadon vase on a small table in the corner held two sprigs of unfamiliar dried flowers.
But he knew that the more casual a place like this appeared, the more deliberately its owner had arranged it. Every furnishing, every detail had been carefully considered.
Sikong Hongyue sat opposite him and picked up the wine jug. With a slight tilt of her wrist, amber wine flowed from its spout into the white porcelain cup before Shen Fei. Its fragrance spread, carrying a delicate scent of fruitwood.
She set the jug down, then poured herself a cup as well, her movements composed and entirely unhurried.
Shen Fei did not immediately lift his cup. Instead, he asked, "Miss Sikong, you went out of your way to invite me here. Surely it wasn't just for a drink?"
Sikong Hongyue smiled and gently traced the rim