That shidi who had died in the battle of the capital all those years ago, Liang Jiuxiao, was the regret of his lifetime. All along, Zhou Zishu had dared not mention him--after so long had passed, that scene was like a dream to him. But here, faced with an acquaintance from the past, he felt like he had returned to the capital of that ten-mile Moon-Gazing Riverbank[1]. Those past acquaintances and past events flashed in succession before his eyes, and, astonishingly, he had spoken that person’s name without a second thought.

In actual fact, it was nothing much to say it aloud. It merely felt like something had been cast out of his chest; like he was missing a piece of it, hollow.

Lord Seventh’s smile froze. He sighed, looking Zhou Zishu over another time, and then frowned. “Why have you become this thin?”

Zhou Zishu shook his head, dropped his gaze and chuckled. “It is a long story. It is most probably that...I am growing old.”

Wen Kexing was a person who lusted after men to begin with; upon entering, he had admired the man at first, opining that this “Lord Seventh'' was truly peerless. Yet, at this moment, he was starting to grow dissatisfied. He considered how he had pestered and badgered Zhou Zishu for so long, and the fact that if it weren’t for Yu Qiufeng and company giving them trouble, he might not even have had the chance to witness that person’s true face up till now. This man, however, could make him wipe off his human skin mask within two to three sentences upon his arrival, and even knew his real name...

Indignance rose within Wen Kexing.

Pingan invited the two of them to sit, and served them tea. Lord Seventh asked, “Has all been well...in the capital?”

Leaning against the backrest, Zhou Zishu seemed to have relaxed himself entirely, and spoke slowly, “There are those leaving on expedition as commanders, and there are those returning to the palace as premiers. The Young Marquis He Yunxing has married Princess Jingan. The couple are faraway in the Northwest, and can be said to have set their roots down over there. The Emperor...is quite well. A little prince has just been delivered to him this year, but I had to leave early, and couldn’t make it for the Third Prince’s full-moon feast[2].”

Between the two of them, one asked and the other answered, their conversation neither hasty or slow. The Great Shaman did not interrupt, but merely sat to the side and listened silently. Smoke rose gently from the incense burner. It was as if time had slowed.