Early spring in Jinghe, blossoms drifted over the imperial avenues.
Outside the Meridian Gate, daylight shone bright.
Two groups went their separate ways, one east, the other west.
Those heading east belonged to the Shen Faction.
Those heading west were the Upright Officials.
The Imperial Way divided them, scarcely a few yards wide, yet across that narrow distance lay a gulf between heaven and earth.
"Chief Minister."
A red welt marked Fang Qi's left cheek, swollen half a finger's width high.
Against his fair complexion, it was especially striking.
"I... I disgraced you today, Chief Minister."
Shen Duan stopped and glanced at him.
"Disgraced me?" Shen Duan spoke softly.
"Fang Jingwen, what you lost was not my honor, but your own dignity."
Fang Qi lowered his head further.
"How many years have you stood in court?" Shen Duan asked.
Fang Qi said nothing.
"From a lowly Department Secretary, you rose through the ranks to Minister of Works and Grand Academician of the Eastern Pavilion.
Through all those years, how many storms have you weathered?
How many factional struggles have you endured? How many impeachment memorials have you faced?"
"Chief Minister..." Fang Qi's face turned ashen, his lips trembling incessantly.
"It was just that Wang Kan made me so angry..."
"Angry?" Shen Duan cut him off, his voice a blade.
"A dignified Minister of Works, an esteemed Grand Academician of the Grand Secretariat,
provoked by a mere Sixth Rank registrar into throwing punches in court?
Was it Wang Kan you were angry with? Or yourself?"
Fang Qi's shadow lay prostrate before the steps as he lowered his eyes in silence.
Shen Duan looked at him and sighed from the heart.
"Jingwen." Shen Duan addressed him by his courtesy name, his tone softening.
"How many years have you followed me?"