The tenth day of the second month, Jinghe Year Sixteen.
Taiyuan in the second month was colder than the Southern Capital.
The Great Zhou's Taiyuan lay farther north than ancient Jinyang.
Looking north from the battlements, Yanmen was a thin line. Below the walls, the Fen River's spring ice had just begun to thaw. Floating ice clinked against the embankments as it drifted south.
At Jinci Temple, the Zhou Cypress's gnarled branches still bore the weight of last year's lingering snow.
The Never-Old Spring flowed freely, white vapor curling above it as it ran past the temple.
Li Bai had written: "Often I venture toward the winding western outskirts, where the waters of Jinci Temple flow like green jade."
Nothing surpassed this in all Taiyuan's splendor.
Taiyuan Prefecture, Prince Jin's residence, the rear hall.
Prince Jin, Jiang Xuan, was eating his midday meal.
He was thirty-five, the reigning Son of Heaven's fifth younger brother.
He had a fair, slightly plump face and smiling eyes, and treated everyone with easy warmth.
Enfeoffed in Taiyuan for decades, he enjoyed noodles, opera, and tending flowers.
Now, with a plate of Oil-Splashed Pork beside him, he was eating Knife-Cut Noodles. A flick of his chopsticks sent the noodles into his mouth, leaving a sheen of oil at its corners.
"Your Highness." A servant from the Prince's Residence hurried in and bowed. "The gentleman has returned."
Jiang Xuan's chopsticks paused slightly over the noodles.
"He's back?" Jiang Xuan immediately set down his chopsticks and wiped his lips, his eyes brightening.
"Quick, quick... invite him to the front hall."
"Yes."
The steward withdrew, and Jiang Xuan rose and straightened his robes and headwear.
But at the door he stopped, turned back, and finished the noodles remaining in his bowl in a few mouthfuls. Only then