In the courtyard of the Shen Residence, Wei Zi walked alone.
Snow settled on his scarlet robe; he did not brush it off.
The words spoken in the inner chamber still echoed in his ears...
Kou Yuan's weakness, Zou Mo's uncertainty, Xie Lin's itinerary, and that final sentence: "For the first time, you will shoulder this alone."
"Look at people's faults, and there is no one under heaven worth befriending; look at their strengths, and everyone in the world is my teacher."
Wei Nisheng walked on, lost in thought.
He thought of his teacher, of Shen Duan, of Kou Yuan, of Zou Mo, and of all those over these past few years who had been enemies or friends, who still lived or had died.
Everyone had faults, and everyone had strengths. Their faults could not be concealed, nor their strengths discarded.
His footprints in the snow fell deep, then shallow, like his thoughts, and like the path he walked.
The "Shu Er" chapter of the Analects said: "When three people walk together, there must be a teacher for me among them.
I choose their good qualities and follow them, and correct in myself their failings."
Wei Nisheng walked alone through the snow, yet his thoughts held everyone at Court.
Feng Yan had taught him principles, Shen Duan had imparted methods, Kou Yuan had shown him forbearance, and Zou Mo had cautioned him with doubt.
Heaven and earth stretched vast, the wind and snow without end.
Before long, Wei Zi neared the courtyard gate of the Shen Residence when an urgent cry suddenly rose behind him.
"Wei Zi'an!!"
Wei Nisheng stopped.
He turned and looked back, only to see Shen Duan standing in the doorway.
Shen Yi supported his arm with one hand and braced his back with the other.