The night was black as ink, the tower bright as jewels. Candlelight shimmered beside the carved balustrades.
Tonight, every room along the left corridor on the third floor of the Fragrant Snow Tower hung a red plaque bearing the words "No visitors." Only the innermost carved door concealed a blaze of lamplight. Shining through layers of beaded curtains and gauze drapes, it cast orange patterns on the corridor walls, making the gilded tracery on the door gleam all the brighter.
Seven people stood in the corridor. Wang Tai's four guards stood ramrod straight, their expressions alert. Wang Yi had brought only two household servants. Neither carried any visible weapon, but they possessed the stillness of deep pools and towering mountains, with all the bearing of seasoned masters. The last was Chen Qing Shan, leaning beside the door with her sword in her arms and a cool expression on her face. A waist-high cabinet stood beside her, topped with a small table bearing delicate snacks and chilled fresh fruit.
After looking aloof for a while, Chen Qing Shan speared a peeled lychee with a bamboo pick and ate it. Then she looked aloof for another while before having a golden cream pastry. The cycle continued, and she ate with relish while the four guards and two servants watched with mounting resentment...
Inside the room, the atmosphere was delicate.
Each of the three Wangs had his own secrets, questions, desires, and misgivings. All seemed intent on answering movement with stillness, and for a time, none spoke.
Wang Yi set down his chopsticks, preparing to begin.
Wang Yang raised his cup first.
"My two clan uncles-"
Wang Yi cut a hand through the air.
"Eh? Hold on! What do you mean, two clan uncles? Those generations aren't right..."
Wang Tai clicked his tongue