Jing Jiu stood before the window, holding a cup of tea and gazing at the dimly visible black eaves of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices in the distance, saying nothing.
The tea in his cup had long since gone cold.
He had no love for tea. He was merely trying to hold it like an ordinary person, hoping this might help him understand ordinary people.
He was thinking about the explanation from the Water-Moon Convent, and what that girl had said before leaving.
In the end, he still could not understand, and shook his head.
Things had already come to this. What came next was to walk forward, so why turn back to ask the reasons?
Even if one knew your background, your romantic experiences, and the mistakes you had made in occasional fits of impulse, what meaning would that have? Time should not be spent on such things.
There was a knock at the door.
Jing Jiu walked back into the room from the window, his right hand lightly brushing the Sword Bracelet to kindle Sword Flame before settling it on the teapot.
With a creak.
Household Eldest Brother Jing pushed open the door.
Whether because he knew the visitor or for some other reason, he did not refuse her entry, nor did he even ask Jing Jiu's permission.
The visitor came with the cool night breeze, her footsteps making no sound as they fell upon the crabapple petals.
The girl in fluttering white robes was exquisitely beautiful, with a delicate expression and eyes as clear as a pool of water.
She was like an immortal maiden descended into the mortal world.
Jing Jiu gestured for her to sit, lifted the teapot, which was now scalding hot again, and poured her a cup.
He had expected the other side