A brazier of charcoal burned brightest just before it turned to ash.
So it was with worldly power... at the height of the blaze, ash; at the height of the heat, cold.
So it was with charcoal fires, with the Court, and with people.
The Shen Residence, the Warm Pavilion.
Silver frost charcoal burned brightly in the brazier, bathing the room in warmth.
Shen Duan reclined on a couch, wearing a Fu Headscarf and a Black Cloak, with a thick blanket over his knees and a copper hand warmer beside him.
He looked every inch a Great Zhou scholar-official at home in winter, impeccably attired.
Only the weariness between his brows marred the picture.
Shen Duan coughed twice.
"Grandfather."
Shen Yi pushed the door open and entered, carrying a cup of warm Honey-Candied Loquat Drink, which he set beside his grandfather.
"It turned colder today. Have you caught a chill? I simmered this drink for you to soothe your throat."
Shen Duan took the cup, sipped, and smiled. "No chill. I've simply been busy."
"Busy?"
"Busy indeed." Shen Duan coughed again.
"The Ministry of Personnel, the Grand Secretariat, the Six Ministries-every last matter waits upon me.
"At my age, I've become the busiest man in all Great Zhou."
He set down the cup, then suddenly sighed. "Yi'er, tell me, why did Feng Yan petition three times to be allowed to take his old bones home, insisting on retiring from office?"
Shen Yi paused. "When the Grand Tutor retired, everyone in and outside the Court thought he had simply lost his influence and was avoiding disaster..."
"Lost his influence?" Shen Duan shook his head. "A man like Feng Yan, lose his influence? He simply didn't want to do it anymore."
"When I was young, I mocked him for putting on