"Only after becoming settled can one be still; only after becoming still can one be at peace."
Wei Nisheng did not discuss it further with Zhang Zai. He walked back to the desk and patted Zhang Zai's shoulder, his voice quiet but reassuring:
"Zihou, don't panic over this, and don't let word get out."
"What matters most now is keeping yourself steady, and keeping your wife steady too.
The two members of the Li Family may be in Taiyuan's jail, but nothing will happen to them just yet."
Here, Wei Nisheng paused slightly. "After all, they were arrested to set a trap.
Until that trap has served its purpose, they won't die."
Zhang Zai stared at him blankly. Only after a long while did he slowly nod. "Zi'an, I... I trust you."
"If you trust me, then all the more reason for me to settle this cleanly," Wei Nisheng said.
"For the next few days, don't go anywhere. If anyone at the office asks, act as though you know nothing.
When there's news, I'll send Cui Fu to tell you."
Before Wei Nisheng finished speaking, a burst of hurried footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.
"Master!"
Cui Fu jogged into the courtyard and stopped outside the study door, reporting breathlessly, "The boy at our gate sent word that Qin Gong has come to the house! Madam is keeping him company in the hall."
Wei Nisheng blinked. "Qin Gong? Grand Secretary Qin of the Ministry of Rites?"
"That's right! The gatekeeper said a small sedan chair with blue curtains stopped at the entrance to our lane. There's no mistaking it!"
At this, Zhang Zai hurried to his feet and caught Wei Nisheng by the arm.
"Zi'an, Qin Gong is a Great Scholar and a Grand Secretary of the present Court. If he's