That night, at the Suzhou Weaving Bureau.
Lamplight lay heavy, and coils of incense smoke curled upward.
Li Jin reclined against a couch, dressed in a half-length robe.
He held a cup of ginseng soup and sipped slowly, without lifting his eyelids.
Beside the couch, a little eunuch knelt and massaged his legs, his pressure even and his rhythm steady.
He Yanming occupied the lower seat, a cup of clear, jade-green tea beside him.
Spring Tribute Dragon Cake, intended for tribute but never submitted.
"Master Li, spring came late this year, yet the tea tastes richer than in years past."
Li Jin remained sprawled on the couch, not even lifting his eyelids as he leisurely sipped his ginseng soup.
"Have you come to discuss tea with me, Lord He?"
"You jest, Eunuch Li."
He Yanming's smile remained unchanged. He set his cup on the small table, his tone composed.
Before coming, He Yanming had abruptly changed his mind and intended to bring Xie Lin along.
But Xie Lin had declined.
[My lord, you should not take me along when you meet Li Jin.
He is suspicious by nature. Seeing me at your side, he would instead assume you had come to speak on my behalf.]
Sitting here alone now, He Yanming realized that Xie Lin had been right not to come.
The way Li Jin sprawled, leaned, drank, and enjoyed his massage-
Everything about him proclaimed four words:
What. Concern. Of. Mine.
For a while, the two faced each other in silence.
Rain dripped from the eaves outside, while incense glowed and dimmed in the beast-shaped burner.
Unfortunately...
The prefect had greater patience; the eunuch was the first to lose his composure.
"Lord He." Li Jin finally spoke.
"At this late hour, instead of resting at the Prefectural