Dusk deepened over the offices of the Ministry of Revenue's Revenue and Expenditure Bureau.
Wei Nisheng finished checking the last volume of Underlying Accounts, rose, and stretched his stiff neck.
Only after putting all the files on his desk in order did he pick up the Crane Cloak draped over his chair and head outside.
Seeing him rise, the Copyists in the duty room hurried to gather their Official Documents, not daring to overstep by leaving before him.
Wei Nisheng paid it no mind. He merely nodded to them and walked out of the offices.
Outside the Ministry of Revenue, Cui Fu had long been waiting with the carriage. When he saw Wei Nisheng emerge, he jumped down and lifted the curtain.
Wei Nisheng ducked inside, leaned against the carriage wall, and closed his eyes for a while.
The carriage rumbled down the long street.
Few pedestrians remained. The dusk grew deeper, and fine snow fluttered down.
By the time he returned to the Small Courtyard of the Wei Residence outside the West Peace Gate, night had fully fallen.
The courtyard gate stood loosely shut, with dim yellow lamplight spilling through the gap.
Qu Niang was busy inside. Hearing the sound, she peered out, saw Wei Nisheng, and hurried to greet him.
"You're home, young master."
She took his Crane Cloak, shook off the accumulated snow, and hung it on the clothes rack beneath the veranda.
Wei Nisheng murmured an acknowledgment and was about to head into the main room when Qu Niang suddenly stopped him.
"Young master, there's no dinner here tonight."
"Hmm?" Wei Nisheng looked back at Qu Niang, puzzled.
Qu Niang smiled. "Someone came from the Feng Residence today, young master."
At that, Wei Nisheng turned fully around.
"Miss Fu Niang's parents and elder brother arrived