It was already the Hai Hour when Chen Caozhi returned to his lodgings at Ice Well Terrace. Ye City in the chill autumn of the ninth month was somewhat colder than Jiankang in the tenth month, especially at night, when the temperature approached freezing-
The guards told him that Princess Qinghe Murong Qinchen had sent people several times to ask whether he had returned. Considerate of her feelings, Chen Caozhi understood what was on her mind. After only a few sips of Ge Xian Tea, he put on a cloak and took eight attendants to Bronze Sparrow Garden. He could now enter and leave Ye Palace freely-
All the treasures in Ye Palace had been removed, and of its palace attendants, only the twenty serving Princess Qinghe in Eternal Longevity Hall remained. The soldiers guarding Ye Palace all knew that Princess Qinghe was to marry Chen Caozhi, so when they saw him entering the palace late at night, they maintained solemn faces before him and snickered behind his back-
Sanu'er of the Rouge Warriors had been waiting by the garden gate. She immediately led Chen Caozhi through Bronze Sparrow Garden toward Eternal Longevity Hall, saying as they walked, "The princess is very low in spirits tonight, and she may be somewhat short-tempered. If she gives offense, General Chen, please have compassion for her and do not blame her."
Chen Caozhi murmured his assent.
The cold wind whistled, and icy threads of rain brushed his face. A cold rain had begun to fall. It was more than two li from the garden gate to Eternal Longevity Hall, and Chen Caozhi's clothes were half soaked by the time he arrived.
Two bronze braziers with beast-shaped mouths burned in a small chamber of the sleeping hall, their coals glowing dark red. It was