Of the Capital's seventy-two government offices, the one most concerned with dignity
had to be the Ministry of Rites, west of the Thousand-Step Corridor.
Led by the clerk, Wei Nisheng passed through the ceremonial gate, rounded the screen wall, and followed the covered corridor inward.
Several department secretaries from the Ministry of Rites hurried past beneath the corridor, documents in their arms.
When they saw Wei Nisheng, they stepped aside and saluted with clasped hands.
After all, word of Lu Yi'an's visit to the Wei Residence yesterday to "teach etiquette" had probably spread through half the ministry already.
At the second courtyard, the clerk stopped and bowed.
"Vice Director Wei, Vice Minister Qin awaits you in the East Reception Hall."
Wei Nisheng nodded, straightened his robes and cap, and stepped over the threshold.
The eastern reception hall was small, its windows half open, the room filled with clear light.
Qin Yan reclined behind a desk, seemingly caught between sleep and waking.
On the desk sat a purple-clay teapot and two celadon cups. The tea had yet to be poured, but the guest had already arrived.
"Is that Zi'an?" Waking at the sound, Qin Yan slowly opened his eyes.
"Sit."
Wei Nisheng approached as instructed, first straightening his sleeves, then clasping his hands and bowing until they reached his knees.
"This junior, Wei Nisheng, pays his respects to Qin Gong."
Qin Yan did not answer immediately, merely watching him complete his salute.
Only then did he leisurely lift the pot and fill the celadon cup opposite him seven-tenths full before saying:
"What did you think of yesterday's arrangements, Zi'an?"
Wei Nisheng had just settled into the guest's seat. At those words, his expression shifted before he could even pick up his cup.
"Which... arrangements do you mean, Qin Gong?"
Qin