On the ninth day of the tenth month, rain fell over Jianye, bringing waves of chill that seeped into the bones. Xiao Tong, Crown Prince of Liang State, died quietly in his bed.
Overcome with grief, Xiao Yan suspended court for fifteen days and spent almost every day and night in the Buddhist Hall. Thousands of eminent monks and Daoist masters from throughout Liang State came to Jianye for Crown Prince Xiao Tong.
For a time, Jianye was both clamorous and deathly silent.
The stench of blood from the Witchcraft and Gu Poison case undertaken to protect the Crown Prince seemed not yet to have dispersed, yet misfortune had already befallen him. How could anyone not fall as silent as cicadas in the cold?
Luo Xianzhi sat by the window, gazing at the scenery outside, beautiful as ever. Jianye was not the North, where cold winds swept bleakly through the land. Wrapped in a thick robe, he remained silent.
Two little boys and a little girl played in the room. Xie Daoyun nestled beside Luo Xianzhi, the atmosphere warm, simple, and happy. She reached up to smooth the creases between his brows, but offered no words of comfort, merely holding him quietly as wafts of her delicate fragrance reached his nose.
After an unknown stretch of time, Luo Xianzhi finally spoke. "My wife, the Crown Prince is dead. Tell me, what should I do first to cultivate another Crown Prince?"
After a moment's consideration, Xie Daoyun said softly, "Husband, I know nothing of cultivating a Crown Prince, but I raised and taught our children myself.
"Whatever they study, Cong'er learns faster than Yuan'er. That is the difference in their gifts.
"Cong'er can accomplish greater deeds, while Yuan'er probably needs more study.
"If we ignore that distinction and force Yuan'er to