The rain had stopped, leaving a cold clarity that shone upon the lingering rainwater before the steps.
The Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Eastern Warm Pavilion.
The underfloor flues spread warmth, while curtains shut out the spring chill.
The Imperial Desk stood before him, bearing several memorials.
The Vermilion Brush rested on its stand. Emperor Jing of Zhou leaned back in his chair, his eyes half closed, neither asleep nor fully awake.
"Wang Cheng."
"Your servant is here."
"What stir has there been at the Hall of Literary Depths?"
"Your Imperial Grandfather," Wang Cheng answered with a bow,
"Chief Minister Shen entered the hall between nine and eleven. Grand Secretary Song, Grand Secretary Kou, and Grand Secretary Fang arrived afterward.
"The four grand secretaries deliberated for just under an hour, then dispersed.
"They prepared no draft response, saying they would leave the matter for Your Majesty's sacred judgment at tomorrow's morning court."
Emperor Jing of Zhou said nothing, his brows faintly furrowed.
"What of those two memorials?"
"They remain in the Hall of Literary Depths." Wang Cheng bowed lower still and reported cautiously,
"If Your Imperial Grandfather wishes to read them, this old servant will fetch them at once."
The emperor opened his eyes and cast him a sidelong glance, neither telling him to go nor telling him not to.
Wang Cheng had served him for thirty-one years. That single glance was enough.
His Majesty did not wish to examine the two memorials, but the men behind them.
Then again...
Wei Zi'an advocated deploying troops; Xie Dao'an advocated blocking them.
One was in Suzhou, the other in the capital. They played their game across a thousand miles, yet had set their chessboard before the emperor himself.
"Bring them."
Wang Cheng acknowledged the order and withdrew from the pavilion with