Inside the Warm Pavilion, the charcoal still glowed warmly. Kou Yuan had brought a jar of wine, its clay seal already removed, and its rich fragrance filled the room.
A servant poured the wine, filling both cups, their surfaces shimmering.
Unfortunately, Shen Duan and Kou Yuan sat facing one another, neither raising his cup.
The wine stood full before them, while their intentions hung in reserve.
For whom was the wine warmed? For whom were the words held back?
A full cup was no treasure, and raising it was nothing remarkable. Whoever lifted his first would surrender a measure of advantage.
Thus, in this scene, they seemed to await something, yet also to fear something.
"Chancellor Shen."
Kou Yuan finally spoke first, his voice heavy. "I know you are angry."
"That is why I have brought wine to your door today, bearing thorn branches to beg forgiveness."
"Thorn branches?" Shen Duan still gazed down at the wine without lifting his cup, saying only, slowly,
"How could I presume to accept such words from you, Fuan?
That declaration of yours-'I do not know, nor dare I know'-was so upright and forthright, a blade withdrawn without leaving a trace.
I almost thought you had forgotten that the two of us still shared a sworn alliance."
Kou Yuan drew a deep breath and sighed faintly. "Chancellor Shen, I had my reasons for the difficulty that day."
"The Censorate's four memorials aimed their blades at personnel administration.
Wang Kan intended to make us shift blame and denounce each other in court, trapping ourselves in a desperate position.
Had I admitted to being the mastermind, all four blades would have converged on me.
If I fell, who would remain to uphold your alliance?"
"Your words sound reasonable, Fuan." Shen Duan raised his eyes and