On the fifteenth day of the second month, the emperor claimed illness and did not hold court. The officials carried on as usual.
After leaving his office, Wang Kan took his wife, Yao Shi, to visit his father-in-law.
The Yao Residence was grander than Wang Kan's modest home.
It had three successive courtyards, and an old plaque hung in the front hall: "Rein in faults and correct errors."
It was said to have been left by Yao Zhen's ancestor, Yao Chong, the famed chief minister of the Former Tang.
The words came from the "Jiong Command" in the Book of Documents: "Rein in faults and correct errors, set right the wayward heart."
These had originally been King Mu of Zhou's words when appointing Bo Jiong as Chief Coachman. With "rein in faults and correct errors," he charged him to investigate failings and rectify mistakes.
Yao Zhen's ancestor had hung this plaque in the front hall as a family precept.
An old locust tree stood in the courtyard of the Yao Residence, its branches gnarled and tangled.
Yao Zhen was practicing calligraphy from a model in his study.
He was nearly sixty, with graying hair and beard and a lean frame.
Seeing his daughter and son-in-law enter, Yao Zhen set down his brush and smiled. "You're here."
"Father." Yao Shi bowed.
"Father-in-law." Wang Kan bowed as well.
"Sit." Yao Zhen pointed to the chairs, then sat first, took up his cup, and sipped.
After exchanging a few words about family matters, he sent his daughter to see her mother, keeping only Wang Kan with him.
He San's death had made the signs of the snake's stirring unmistakable.
Once the snake stirred, it had to be struck-and struck at its vital point, seven inches below its head.
The Censorate's vital point