Throughout the Capital, lights came on one after another.
The setting sun rested between the peaks of Mount Zhong, and the evening glow burned through half the sky.
Along both banks of the Qinhuai, pleasure boats began to sail, their oars and songs shattering a river of lamplight.
In the Main Hall of the Shen Residence, the last twilight faded, and the lamps had been lit.
Shen Duan held a note as he paced back and forth before his desk.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside.
The gatekeeper hurried over and bowed. "Master, Vice Director Wei has arrived."
Shen Duan gently set down the note and turned around, his expression already transformed.
Wei Nisheng entered after straightening his cap, hurried to the front of the hall, and lifted his robe to bow low. "Your junior, Wei Nisheng, pays his respects to Grand Secretary Shen."
"Rise, rise." Shen Duan actually stepped forward himself, gestured as though to help him up, then ushered him to a seat.
"Zi'an, you need only come. Why such a grand bow?"
"Sit, do sit."
Shen Duan's warmth sent a tremor of wariness through Wei Nisheng's heart.
He had visited the Shen Residence several times. When had this Chief Minister ever been so welcoming?
Today, he seemed an entirely different man.
Still, Wei Nisheng sat as instructed and accepted a cup of tea. Yet Shen Duan did not sit, but stood before him, staring at him with burning eyes.
"Zi'an," Shen Duan began, his voice unexpectedly tight.
"What you wrote in your note... Feng Yan... has he truly become so confused that he no longer recognizes people?"
Wei Nisheng lowered his eyes, his voice grave. "I would not dare deceive you."
"The night before last, my teacher mistook me for my grandfather."
Shen Duan lowered his gaze and