“Xing Shuang Swordplay.”   Zhu Zi’an made no attempt to hide it, nodding towards her. “It’s also the sword art Ah Rong uses.”   “Xing Shuang Swordplay…” Jiang Kui mused trying to recall. “So this style is Xing Shuang. I always found Ah Rong’s unusual sword moves…like snow.”   She pondered briefly. “Master never mentioned…

Her fingers gave a faint tremor as she slowly traced down, brushing away the frosted flakes clinging to his lashes.   “So cold,” she murmured, a note of complaint entering her tone. “Aren’t you freezing?”   “Absolutely frigid. Nearly frozen stiff in fact,” he replied lightly, stamping his feet free of powder before stretching both…

One after another, small bright stars emerged at the horizon, illuminating the freshly fallen snow piled under the eaves that glittered on and off.   Several braziers burned in the guest room, baking the air toasty warm. Wisps of sandalwood scent spread, blending with the sharp, pleasing aroma of fresh snow along with faint traces…

After the snow, skies cleared as Crown Princess Xie walked through Eastern Palace gates bearing an exquisite snow lantern, seated in a petite palanquin. Two vermillion winter lanterns flanked the entrance, their warm glow shining through gauze-thin scarlet paper to pool on glittering white grounds. Secretary Gu, bundled against winter chill, stood ready below to…

“Leaving Chang’an?”   “Received an urgent report tonight,” Zhu Zi’an lowered his voice. “There are subtle movements from the Southern Beggars…some people have been trailing the exile convoy, heading west past Baxi Bridge onto Wuguan Road at dusk yesterday.”   Jiang Kui gave a start: “You suspect they are…”   “Trying to assassinate your family…

Dawn mist and drizzling rain pattered between roof tiles.   A knock at the door startled Jiang Kui awake. Raising her head amidst the faint tea fragrance, the person beside her still slept.   Unable to rest last night, she had listlessly downed cups of tea until unknowingly dozing off on his shoulder. Waking now,…

In that fleeting moment as the rosy glow vanished completely, the endless deep blue flooded across the sky. His gaze was as still as the waters.   Resting her cheek in hand, she looked at him: “I thought you were going to say again that you’ll be leaving soon.”   He gave a soft laugh…

Jiang Kui coldly said, “Is that so? Your understanding of the word ‘early’ is truly extraordinary.”   Xie Wuyang sighed without responding to her jab. Instead he changed the subject, “Does my lady wife have business with me?”   Jiang Kui went to sit beside him, looking over the letter he was writing – a…

Zhu Zi’an settled down and said solemnly: “If you want to safely enter the High Court dungeons, it would be best for that Eastern Palace Crown Prince to think of a way.”   Jiang Kui thought for a moment and nodded slightly: “I’ll return to the Eastern Palace tomorrow morning.”   Zhu Zi’an was stunned:…

Late autumn, early winter, the morning light was bright.   Sunlight spilled onto his brows and eyes, clean and crisp.   “Zhu Zi’an,” she asked in a low voice, “did you send people out all night?”   “Not really,” he answered with a smile, “wrote a few letters, met with a few people.”   “But,”…