When Wei Nisheng left the hall, the sun was sinking westward, its autumn rays slanting down in a pleasant glow.
Wang Cheng walked ahead, listening to the increasingly light footsteps behind him, and the corners of his mouth curved despite himself.
"Young Master Wei," Wang Cheng suddenly said without turning around.
"Please speak, Eunuch Wang."
"Though the sovereign's favor is generous, it is no easy burden to bear.
Lord Feng is old. You must strive to stand on your own."
Wei Nisheng paused, then bowed deeply. "Thank you, Eunuch Wang."
"What are you thanking me for?" Wang Cheng shook his head.
"You may say nothing, but I know.
If I have survived this ordeal, some kindness of yours must have helped."
Hearing this, Wang Cheng finally turned around.
He looked at Wei Nisheng's face, which still held a trace of boyishness, and sighed.
"I have served in the Palace for decades and seen countless sons of great families, countless brilliant young men.
But someone like you... this is my first."
"You flatter me."
"It is no flattery." Wang Cheng shook his head and turned to continue walking.
"It is the truth."
Wei Nisheng said no more. He simply followed Wang Cheng in silence, step by step, out through the Palace gates.
Outside the gates, Cui Fu had been waiting with the carriage for an hour.
When he saw Wei Nisheng emerge, he froze.
Then he dropped to his knees with a thud and burst into loud sobs.
"Young Master! Young Master, you're out! You're finally out!"
Wei Nisheng stepped forward to help him up and smiled. "What are you crying for? I'm not dead."
Cui Fu wiped his tears, unable to form a complete sentence, only repeating,
"As long as you're out. As long as you're out..."
Wei Nisheng patted