Three quarters past the You Hour.
By the time Wei Nisheng emerged from the Ministry of Personnel offices, daylight had grown faint.
Dusk draped down from the western eaves, gradually spreading across the long street.
Officials leaving duty came out in twos and threes, boarding their sedan chairs to head home or attend dinner engagements.
Cui Fu was already waiting at the mouth of the lane with the carriage and its chestnut horse. When he saw Wei Nisheng emerge,
he was just about to jump down from the driver's seat and lift the curtain when someone rounded the street corner and stepped into Wei Nisheng's path.
"Zi'an, what a coincidence."
Wei Nisheng stopped and looked closely. It was Song Yue, the Minister of War.
He had no attendants behind him, only a sedan chair parked several yards away.
Clearly, he had been waiting here for quite some time.
"Grand Secretary Song." Wei Nisheng cupped his hands in greeting.
"What brings you to the Ministry of Personnel's lane after leaving duty, Grand Secretary?"
Song Yue laughed and waved a hand. "To tell you the truth, Zi'an, I came expressly to intercept you today."
"Intercept me? You must be joking, Grand Secretary!"
"Why would I joke? I've arranged a modest meal and some wine at the Drunken Immortal Tower.
If you don't mind, Zi'an, would you do this old man the honor of joining him for a talk?"
Wei Nisheng glanced at him, his gaze shifting slightly, then smiled.
"How could I refuse an invitation from you, Grand Secretary?
It's just that I've only just left duty, and my attire hasn't yet..."
"No matter, no matter." Song Yue cut him off, stepped forward, and reached out as though to support his arm, smiling.
"The Drunken Immortal Tower isn't the Hall of Heavenly