Whether anyone actually got any rest that night, no one could say, but bodies lay breathing calmly, and when they opened their eyes, their gaze was bright and clear.
The night had not been calm. In the depths of darkness, as people lay exhaustion lay heavily on every brow, a strange wind had blown through the yard walls. Feng Zhiwei's eyes had opened, and though Helian Zheng had not stirred beside her, his fingers tightened around the corner of her quilt.
But gradually the sun dawned and the clear bugle called out overhead, ushering in with the first beams of the spring sun a new day for a new Shunyi King.
Helian Zheng slowly sat up and called out quietly: "What will happen today?"
"Today." Feng Zhiwei began, sitting crosslegged with her long hair draped around her like flowing water, a small, dazzling smile on her lips.
