The Ministry of Rites duty room, Shen Duan's chamber.
The duty room's window stood half closed, spring sunlight slanting across the room.
Liu Min, Right Vice Minister of Ministry of Rites, sat in the guest seat, leaning slightly forward.
(Liu Min, formerly Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, now Right Vice Minister of Ministry of Rites.
The originator of "couldn't take a beating," back when Qin Yan had blocked Shen Duan's door.)
Only after a long while did Shen Duan slowly speak.
"You reported for duty today. What movement has there been at the Northern Guesthouse?"
"Chief Minister," Liu Min answered deferentially, "word has come from the Northern Guesthouse.
At noon today, the Khitan envoy Yelü Qi and the Tangut envoy Yeli Wangrong sat facing each other in the main hall for roughly an hour.
They drank a pot of wine. We could not discover what they discussed.
The interpreter sent by the Ministry of Rites to attend them was dismissed to the corridor and never entered the hall.
The Khitan guards in the courtyard also withdrew thirty feet and allowed no one near."
"Could not discover it?" At those words, Shen Duan's mouth twitched, and he gave a cold laugh.
"Heh. That is exactly as it should be.
If they lacked even that much caution, they would not deserve to sit drinking in the Northern Guesthouse."
Liu Min paused briefly, then ventured, "Do you mean the two countries have already reached an understanding, Chief Minister?"
"An understanding is too strong a word." Shen Duan finally turned his head, his gaze settling on Liu Min's face as his tone grew cool.
"The Tanguts hate the Khitans, and the Khitans look down on the Tanguts.
One calls the other Western Savages; the other calls them Hu Barbarians.
Contempt etched