On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month in the Jinghe Fourteenth Year, auspicious snow fluttered down as the morning shift ended.
Wei Nisheng emerged from the Ministry of Revenue offices. Cui Fu hurriedly jumped down from the carriage and lifted the curtain to await him.
But Wei Nisheng did not board. He merely waved a hand and said,
"No carriage today. I'll walk."
Cui Fu paused and looked up at the sky.
The snow was falling thickly, its fine flakes already coating the bluestone road in a thin layer of white.
He hastily took the blue-cloth umbrella from the carriage, opened it, and followed Wei Nisheng.
"Young master, where are we going in this freezing weather?"
"Upright Sun Gate."
Cui Fu paused again, but asked no further questions and followed in silence.
Wei Nisheng walked ahead at an unhurried pace, his Scarlet Official Robe strikingly vivid against the snow.
Upright Sun Gate.
It was one of the Capital's three southern gates. Beyond it, the official road led south.
Normally bustling with carriages and horses, it looked deserted now.
The year's end was drawing near; few were entering the Capital, and few were leaving.
Wei Nisheng stopped just inside the gate and gazed motionlessly down the snow-white official road to the south.
Cui Fu stood behind him with the umbrella. It sheltered Wei Nisheng, while half of his own shoulders were covered in snow.
The snow grew heavier, swirling down without end.
"Young master," Cui Fu finally said softly, unable to bear it any longer.
"Who are we waiting for?"
Wei Nisheng did not answer. He only watched the distance, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.
Cui Fu followed his gaze.
The official road was a vast expanse of white, with nothing clearly distinguishable.
Only a few black