A strange atmosphere hung within the imperial capital. The streets were as busy as always, people walking past, and some bartering with sellers. Even after General Li's manor had been ransacked, and the family members dragged out and imprisoned. On the streets they cried out their innocence, pleading to the monarch who resided in the palace. Their cries, however, were not heard by their ruler, nor those in the palace. But they were heard by the citizens, who craned their necks out to watch the procession of the convicts being led to prison. With so many watching, yet none having the power to stand up for them.
General Li was a man with military merit from defending the borders of Qing Cheng, thus he was well respected by the common people. When they saw him being led away into the prisons that were shrouded with mystery, there were some with reddened eyes.
There were those who had some status within the imperial court who quickly spread the circumstances of which the general was arrested. With some believing that the general would not hesitate to use the explosive powder on the common streets to kill as many as possible if he had not been caught in time. Such speculation quickly caused a loss of sympathy for him and everyone that was arrested. There were some who had gone as far as making paper effigies with the general's name and stepping on them or spitting on them.
All while this was going on, in an unassuming building, the window was slightly opened. It was a crack that would allow those behind the window to get a wide range of what was going on in the streets, but not large enough for anyone to see who was within the building.
Within a private room of the building, a young man sat by the window with a cup of tea that emitted white steam on this cold winter's day. With the cup of tea cooling near the window, his eyes focused on the commotion happening in the streets. His eyes were clear and bright, but they were also as calm as a frozen pond on a windless day, such that even a heavy rock could not make the slightest ripple.
"Strange how the citizens change their minds so quickly. At first, it is respect and pity for the general, but after being fed that little bit of information, they turn so quickly." Lin Qinghui sighed as though it was a great regret. He shook his head and turned to the other person who was within the room. "Aren't you supposed to be serving my mother?" he asked.
"Madam locked herself in her room after receiving a letter. So I'm free to serve young master." Ru An said politely.
Lin Qinghui nodded as he thought about his mother. She was not as cold-hearted as she made herself to be. Despite building a shield around herself, she still reminisced deeply about those of the past. Perhaps this was the so-called connection of blood being thicker than water that he had heard of before.
Ru An saw that the young master's eyes slightly lost focus, as though his mind was not focused on the present world. She remained silent and waited for that clarity in his eyes to resurface once again. When she saw him snap out of the unfocused state, she asked: "How was your meeting with Ruan Wang?"
"I think he already recognizes me." Lin Qinghui said.
"As his son?" Ru An asked as she wondered if Ruan Wang actually knew the identity of the person he met, or if it was just a glimpse that brought forth some distant memories of his past.
Lin Qinghui shook his head "No… As someone, he finds familiarity with. Right now… I think he forgot about me." His voice did not seem to show much emotion, as his slender fingers reached out to touch the cup of tea cooling by the windowsill, his fingers curling around the cup, as though trying to break it. The porcelain still retained some heat, but the heat that he felt was not very much, not giving much warmth to his fingers. He doubted that drinking the tea would feel any different. The heat that barely warmed hands would not do well to warm the body, perhaps it would feel cold going down his throat.
Lin Qinghui's fingers gradually uncurled from the porcelain cup and asked: "Has he been resting recently?" He was referring to Ruan Wang, who had been poisoned. This matter was kept low amongst the imperial court, but those were some matters that could be easily dug out.
Unbeknownst to him, Ru An had long been staring at the cup of tea that the young master tightened his fingers around. "Yes, he actually heeded Xu Fei's advice this time, and slept." Ru An answered with a perplexed look. Perhaps, this was the first time that Ruan Wang actually heeded someone's advice. Only it was unknown if he heeded the advice for the sake of his servant, or because he already made up his mind to take care of his body after knowing Madam's intentions.
"He has always done what he wishes to do, no amount of pestering from a servant would make him change his mind." It seemed to be an offhanded comment at first, but Ru An felt as though the young master knew what she was thinking.
After some time in silence Ru An managed to ask "Young master, the tea is getting cold, I shall change a new cup for you."
"No need." Lin Qinghui said as he gulped down the cold tea without another word.