Luo Li walked out of the palace chamber, clutching the bamboo slips tightly.
Gentle, warm sunlight fell on him, yet he felt not a trace of warmth. A bone-deep chill filled his heart.
With heavy steps, he left Luo Palace. As the palace gates thundered shut, the clamor of the common people washed over him.
Small vendors sold all kinds of wares by the roadside, smiles on their faces.
Everyone greeted one another first with "May the Sage King be with you," as though those words could cleanse the soul, and so they treated one another with warmth and courtesy.
Children ran about the streets, carrying all manner of wooden toys.
These were things disciples of the Mohist School had created in passing, which had then become all the rage throughout Luo State.
Luo Li had not taken a carriage, choosing instead to wander the streets. An assassination against the Luo State Ruling House in Zhao City was less plausible than the people of Song restoring Yin Shang.
The Luo People naturally recognized him. Even without the Sacred Mark between his brows, his face alone was known to everyone in Zhao City.
"Crown Prince!"
Calls rose one after another. No one performed a grand bow; everyone continued about their business, but their words brimmed with warmth. "May the Sage King be with you!"
Luo Li smiled and answered each of them, yet the veins on the hand gripping the Qin Law Bamboo Slips nearly bulged.
Thump.
A child at play bumped into Luo Li. Luo Li looked down and saw a sturdy, tiger-headed little fellow whose eyes darted about.
He looked up at Luo Li and asked curiously, "Crown Prince, your Sacred Mark is so pretty. Is the Sage King really watching over us from heaven?"
Luo Li laughed freely