Jinghe Year Fifteen, the twenty-eighth day of the second month, afternoon.
The Xie Residence, the Heart-of-the-Lake Pavilion.
A pond full of spring water, half covered in fallen blossoms.
The wind passed; petals clung to the ripples and spun, then sank, then rose again.
Like the cares of the human heart, rising and falling without rest.
In the Heart-of-the-Lake Pavilion, the Go board had been set.
Black and white Yunzi stones rested in their respective bowls, quietly awaiting the players.
An earthenware kettle sat on the charcoal stove; the water hovered on the verge of boiling, its lid hopping lightly.
Each tapping hop urged the guest to come.
Xie Lin sat on the eastern side in a blue gown, his hair bound with a Wooden Hairpin.
Before long, footsteps sounded beneath the covered walkway.
Xie Lin raised his eyes.
Wei Nisheng emerged from behind the Moon Gate.
He wore a white robe, a Plain Sash around his waist, and a Silver Hairpin securing his cap.
He carried nothing, arriving empty-handed to show that he had accepted this invitation without seeking anything.
Wei Zi walked up to the pavilion and stopped.
Their eyes met.
Xie Lin smiled faintly and raised a hand in invitation.
"Zi'an, I have been waiting for you."
Wei Nisheng smiled too, stepped into the pavilion, and took the western seat.
"Dao'an, what refined pleasures you enjoy.
Brewing tea in the pavilion-it smells even finer than the wine you warmed last time."
"The tea is old." Xie Lin lifted the kettle, poured, and pushed a cup toward Wei Nisheng.
"The water was freshly drawn from the spring waters this morning."
"Old tea, new water?" Ni Sheng lifted the cup, took a small sip, then set it on the table.
"Dao'an, you have brewed an interesting cup."
Xie