The lamps in the eastern warm chamber of the Palace of Heavenly Purity still burned past midnight.
Emperor Jing of Zhou sat behind the Imperial Desk, his vermilion brush resting on its stand. The tea in his cup had already been changed three times.
Just then, Empress Zhou personally brought in a bowl of Ginseng Soup and set it at the corner of the desk.
She was nearing forty, yet her features remained gentle, and she wore a plain blue-green everyday robe patterned with subtle woven flowers.
Only two Silver Phoenix Hairpins with Pearls adorned her hair. She wore no dazzling finery, yet carried herself with serene grace.
Empress Zhou first glanced at the memorials on the desk.
Then she looked at the faint white at her husband's temples. A flicker of heartache crossed her eyes as she gently urged him,
"Your Majesty, it is already past midnight. There is morning court tomorrow. You should rest."
"I cannot rest yet tonight."
Emperor Jing of Zhou took her hand, patted its back, and chuckled.
"What happens tonight matters more than morning court.
Once I have dealt with it, I will come to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility to sleep."
At that, Empress Zhou looked at him and offered no further persuasion.
They had married young and shared more than thirty years together.
She knew when to urge him and when not to.
If the emperor said tonight's business mattered more than morning court, then it was important enough that it had to be settled tonight.
So Empress Zhou nudged the Ginseng Soup closer to his hand.
With a look, she reminded him to drink it while it was hot, then curtsied and quietly withdrew with her maids.
The night wind beneath the covered walkway was cold. Empress Zhou gathered the Silk