Early in the morning of the twenty-fourth day of the second month, a light drizzle began to fall outside the window.
It was the emperor’s birthday.
The rain continued the entire day. As dusk fell and they prepared to leave for the palace, it showed no signs of letting up.
Jiang Suizhou stood in his quarters, dressed in appropriately elaborate ceremonial robes and ready to go. He didn’t have to wait long for Huo Wujiu to emerge from the other room, wheeled out by Meng Qianshan.
Given the circumstances, Jiang Suizhou had given orders that Huo Wujiu’s attire remain understated. However, even in a simple dark blue brocade robe and a modest hairpiece, he exuded an imposing aura. His noble bearing was impossible to conceal.
Although the room was brightly lit already, Huo Wujiu seemed to glow with his own light. He was so striking that it compelled Jiang Suizhou’s gaze to linger on him, and it took considerable effort for him to tear his eyes away.
He cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to cover up his momentary distraction.
“Be alert when we enter the palace later,” he said, glancing at Meng Qianshan.
Meng Qianshan naturally understood that his lord was reminding him to take good care of Huo Wujiu, and he gave his genuine and enthusiastic assurance.
The carriage that arrived to take Jiang Suizhou and Huo Wujiu to the palace was modest in size, and Huo Wujiu’s wheelchair was rather bulky. Naturally, the two found themselves seated quite close together.
As the curtain fell and their surroundings grew quiet, the confined space suddenly began to feel unexpectedly intimate. There was nothing else between them but the sound of their breathing.
The atmosphere left Jiang Suizhou feeling particularly awkward.
They were alone, sitting so close they were nearly touching, and suddenly Jiang Suizhou didn’t know where to even put his hands. He wanted to say something to break the silence, but he had nothing to say. All he was aware of was Huo Wujiu’s steady breathing, in and out, which almost seemed to intertwine with his. Even his own heartbeat seemed to slow down to match it.
Think of something else, Jiang Suizhou urged himself. Like what the emperor might say at the banquet and how to respond…
Just then, the carriage jerked forward and flung the distracted and unprepared Jiang Suizhou careening to the side.
Right into Huo Wujiu’s shoulder.