The tenth day of the seventh month. Clear skies.
The sun had barely cleared the rooftops when Wei Nisheng's carriage stopped outside the Kou Residence.
The gatekeeper had long been waiting. Seeing him alight, he hurried him inside with a stream of words:
"Vice Director Wei, the Grand Secretary has been waiting in his study for quite some time."
At Yuan Pavilion in the Kou Residence, Kou Yuan actually came to the entrance himself to welcome him.
He had changed into a pale summer robe that day, his beard and hair neatly groomed. At the sight of Wei Nisheng, warmth spread across his face:
"Ah, Zi'an, you've come!"
"Lord Kou." Wei Nisheng bowed, took his seat, and lifted his teacup.
(Kou Yuan was now advanced in years, hence the respectful address of "Lord.")
The cup was old, the tea fresh. A few tender buds floated in it, its fragrance crisp and pure.
Wei Nisheng lowered his eyes and took a sip, but a thought turned over in his mind:
In this past month in the Capital, Shen Duan had poured tea for me, Song Yue had poured tea for me, and now it was Grand Secretary Kou's turn.
Each held the pot himself, each wore a measure of a smile in his eyes, as though they had agreed to take turns inviting me to drink this cup.
Rather amusing, really...
"Zi'an." Kou Yuan sat opposite Wei Zi. In no hurry to discuss business, he first gave a sigh.
"I've watched you come all the way from the Hanlin Academy to the scarlet robe and jade belt you wear today.
"During those days when you were auditing accounts at the Revenue and Expenditure Bureau, I was at the Ministry of Revenue, with that stack of verification notes you wrote still sitting