Jinghe Year Fifteen, late spring, the seventh day, at dawn.
Before the first light had broken, lamps blazed in the Suzhou Postal Station.
Qu Niang entered with measured steps, carrying a bronze basin. Steam rose from the hot water, drifting across her brows and eyes.
Wei Nisheng bent to wash, rinsing his mouth as cool water murmured between his teeth.
When he had finished, he stood before the mirror by the window, straightened his clothes, and set his cap in order.
A Scarlet Robe clothed him, a silver fish hung at his waist, and the Jade Balance dangled beside his leather belt.
"Young master."
Qu Niang stood behind him, her slender hands circling his leather belt to fasten it.
She stepped back and asked softly:
"Is something important happening today?"
"Yes." Wei Nisheng never looked away, his gaze fixed only on his reflection.
"After today, Suzhou will no longer be the Suzhou it once was."
At that, Qu Niang asked nothing more. She bent to smooth the hem of his robe, adjusted his jade, then gathered her skirts and withdrew.
Half an hour after the midpoint of Mao Hour, Wei Zi left the station.
Outside, Zhang Zai waited with his reins in hand, a hundred Hangzhou Guard Soldiers behind him.
Dong Zheng rode forward and saluted with clasped hands. "My lord, the Prefectural Office has been secured."
"Several hundred commoners have gathered outside, all waiting with petitions in hand."
Wei Nisheng nodded and swung into the saddle.
The bay horse snorted, its hooves striking the bluestone with crisp, quick beats.
They set out. Wei Zi rode at the front, Zhang Zai beside him in his Green Robe, with a hundred armored soldiers following behind.
Along their route, commoners lined both sides of the long street.
No one shouted. No