On the sixth day of the seventh month, autumn winds began to rise.
The sky over the Capital grew higher by the day, the clouds thinner, and the scholar trees lining the streets began to shed their leaves.
Outside the Shen Residence, Jiang Yu stood at the foot of the wall opposite the main gate.
*[Yu, the fact that Shen Duan dared come running to us means he has something in mind.*
And a man with something in mind can be negotiated with.
*When you go, be humble. Don't promise too much, but show him all the sincerity you can.]*
"Sincerity." Jiang Yu gave a cold laugh.
"As the heir to a princely house, I've stood at his gate for three days. Isn't that sincerity enough?"
As he was thinking this, footsteps sounded inside the gate.
The gatekeeper hurried out and bowed. "Your Highness, the master invites you in."
Jiang Yu drew a deep breath, straightened his robes and headdress, and stepped over the threshold.
The Shen Residence was far grander than the Feng Residence.
It was a vast mansion with five successive courtyards, covered walkways, carved beams, and painted rafters.
Jiang Yu followed the steward through the front hall and walked for quite some time before reaching the main hall.
The main hall was exceptionally spacious, its walls hung with calligraphy and paintings by masters of the previous dynasty, its red sandalwood furniture polished to a gleam.
In a grand armchair at the center sat Shen Duan, dressed in a raven-blue Daoist robe.
He held a small white porcelain bowl, slowly stirring its contents with a spoon.
When Shen Duan saw Jiang Yu enter, he did not rise. He did not even lift his eyelids, merely saying indifferently,
"You're here, Your Highness? Sit."
Jiang Yu suppressed his displeasure, cupped