After Qi Yu finished the half piece of cake, he stood by the windowsill for a good while longer. More of the potted clivia's leaves had turned yellow. He took the little watering can from A Ping and carefully poured a little clean water around the edge of the pot, not soaking it through, only moistening the top layer of soil. He gently plucked off the two withered leaves, set them on the windowsill, wiped his hands with a handkerchief, and said, "I'm going to Xuanzheng Hall." A Ping hurried to fetch his crutch, but he said there was no need. His ankle was almost healed; he could just walk slowly.
He had walked this route from Yuning Hall to Xuanzheng Hall for eleven years, but it had never felt so long. As he passed through the covered walkway, the young eunuchs beneath it lowered their heads and saluted him one after another. He did not wave at them as he usually did, only kept his head down and walked on. De'an was waiting outside the West Warm Pavilion. Seeing him approach from a distance, he flicked his fly whisk and was about to greet him with a smile when he suddenly noticed that the prince's expression was not quite right. De'an asked no questions. He simply pushed the door open gently and said, "Please come in, Your Highness."
Qi Xiao was sitting behind the imperial desk, reviewing memorials. Dusk had fallen outside the window, and the candles had already been lit. Their flames flickered gently in the lamps, making the shadow of the stack of memorials on the imperial desk sway against the wall. Hearing the door, he looked up and saw Qi Yu enter. He did not run over and throw himself at him as usual, nor did