Lou Che walks out of the study room, ink coloured cross collar robe complemented with black sable fur, ink green python patterned boots stepping along the light grey brick path as it produces rustling sounds, coming up to the crescent doorway, he hears Lou Sheng and the housekeeper discuss something from afar, taking a few steps closer, Lou Sheng turns towards him, expression looking even gloomier than this weather, he bows his head as he says: “Lord Prime Minister.” The housekeeper also bows after him.
Lou Che sees the nervousness revealed within their expressions, and is able to guess what they were discussing just now, only acting like he does not know right now, “Has preparations been made as I had instructed a few days ago?”
The housekeeper says nothing, Lou Sheng nods his head, “Yes, all preparation have been made, but Lord Prime Minister, doing this……”
“Enough.” Cutting off his words, Lou Che appears slightly impatient, his control over the southern region already falls far short from before, the killing of the three governors, has crushed his past few years of great efforts, today, the situation no longer allows for him to hesitate. The tip of nose suddenly senses cold, he raises his head, the sombre sky is actually filled with floating snow, thinly, slowly drifting in the air, the pavilion tower of the Prime Minister Estate is originally of exquisite craftsmanship, to be dyed in snow right now, bright and clear, such beautiful scenery it forms, really is heart moving.
“Lord Prime Minister,” Taking advantage of such occasion wherein he has drifted into a daze, Lou Sheng walks forward, a pair of hands lifting an object, “The day before yesterday, General Lin Estate’s sent this here, said to hand it to Lord Prime Minister or Madam, seeing Lord Prime Minister troubled yesterday, so……”
Accepting the object Lou Sheng was holding up, it is a letter and a lustrous jade that wins over the snow by a few points, Lou Che sinks into deep thoughts, opening up the envelop, inside there is no letter, only a note tucked inside, opening it, only two words: one year. Turning it over and over again, looking over the note over and over again, but is still only able to see those two words, Lou Che lightly creases his brows, unable to make out the meaning behind it, then looking at the piece of jade, ideally carved patterns, The Lin [林] character in middle, it is clearly the warrant pendant of the Lin Estate. Carefully thinking over it, Lou Che places the warrant pendant into his sleeve, his face expressionless.
The housekeeper advices from the side: “The snow is getting heavy, standing here too long will harm the body.”
Not caring for the housekeeper and Lou Sheng’s persuasions, quietly standing in the courtyard, up until the entire courtyard was blanketed in a layer of glittering white, did he leisurely say: “Gui Wan will definitely like this scenery.” Not waiting for Lou Sheng and the housekeeper to respond, he walks towards the bedchamber in the inner courtyard, with big strides, “Go prepare now, set off in two hours.” The housekeeper face is pale, Lou Sheng lowers his head without a word.
Every scene and every little thing within this Prime Minister Estate are all able to hold prolonged appreciation, seeing them in the eyes today, feels even more easy on the eye, Lou Che walks all the way here, quietly pushing open the doors, beyond the ajar doors, Gui Wan lies on the long chair, the room filled with cosy warmth, stood in the centre is a charcoal brazier, producing crackling sounds, fumes curling out of the incense burner, the light fragrance like orchids wafting into the nose, entering the room with light steps, he closes the doors, sitting at the rear end of the settee, quietly admiring Gui Wan’s sleeping beauty.