The two had only just begun talking in the pavilion.
Wei Zi slipped an arm around her shoulders and tucked a stray lock behind her ear.
Fu Niang pressed her lips together and lowered her lashes, all reserve melting away as she nestled beside him.
Their tenderness lingered, with no honking geese to disturb this rare moment.
Then hurried footsteps sounded from the bank, accompanied by a shrill cry.
"Director Wei!!"
A young eunuch in blue hurried down the pier, sweat beading on his forehead as he waved his fly whisk and panted.
"You certainly made me search high and low!
A decree has come from the Palace. His Majesty heard that you had reached the Capital and ordered you to attend him immediately.
The carriage is already waiting at the dock!!"
At those words, Wei Nisheng's hand paused on her shoulder, and he lowered his gaze to Fu Niang.
Fu Niang had already stepped half a pace back. She looked up at him, her almond eyes holding no hurt, only quiet understanding.
"Go," she said softly.
"Your audience comes first."
Then Fu Niang suddenly smiled, her eyes narrowing into crescents.
"But~~"
"I'm taking Cui Fu and Qu Niang away as hostages!
"Hmph, come to the residence tonight to ransom them!"
At her teasing words, Wei Nisheng chuckled and nodded.
He was about to say something when the young eunuch urgently pressed him to leave.
So he said no more, merely clasped her fingertips for a moment, then turned and followed the eunuch in long strides toward the pier.
Along the Qinhuai's banks, the spring breeze was still warm.
Fu Niang stood in the pavilion, watching the scarlet figure hurry along the path, his robe's hem fluttering like a crimson banner, blazing amid the spring colors of the city.