Under the Bamboo Parasol

He was accompanied by silence until he heard the sound of footsteps pacing back and forth by the door. He could not help but be unhappy from being disturbed from the tranquil atmosphere, nevertheless, he got up.

Outside the door, there was a man dressed in dark blue servant robes, pacing back and forth. He was trying to make a decision of whether or not to knock. He knew that his master did not like to be disturbed when he was in that room and no one was allowed into that room, with the exception being the servant, who had cleaned the room for twenty-three years. The old servant had gone back to her hometown in retirement and there was a new replacement, however, the new maid was not careful and ended up knocking down a paper origami crane, to make matters worse, she stepped on it and it ended up like a squashed dumpling. When Ruan Qinwang found out, he was so outraged that he commanded the guards to beat her to death, there was no amount of pleading that would pacify him and the wailing maid was dragged out and beaten to death. After that incident, no one dared to joke around when it came to that room, or the very courtyard itself. The new maid that was assigned to that room was very careful, as to not destroy anything in the room as to not end up as her predecessor.

The door opened and the old man dressed in brocade stepped out, he had an aura of nobility that surrounded his body, making one feel respect for him. The man dressed in servant's robes was so busy making heads or tails of whether or not to disturb his master, that he did not realize the door opening or who the person that came out of the room.

"Xu Fei." The voice said sternly.

"Huh? Master." The man stopped his pacing, as he realized who the voice belonged to, and bowed respectfully.

"Where you looking for me" He knew that Xu Fei would not bother him unless something important has occurred.

"Yes, something has occurred in the city." Xu Fei regained his calm exceedingly quick.

"Just tell me." Ruan Qinwang was rather impatient after being disturbed.

"Yan Lei Tang was just found dead in an alleyway." Xu Fei reports to his master.

"Who is Yan Lei Tang?" He then pondered for a moment before asking another question "Is he related to Grand tutor Yan?" One has to understand, Ruan Qinwang had not participated in politics for nearly a quarter of a century, he did not know the younger generation of nobles, nor did they know him.

"Yes, he is Grand tutor Yan Kun's eldest grandson, born from the first wife of Yan ZiKun's eldest son. The boy is extremely spoiled and frequents brothels. He is known for his vile manners, even among the circle of nobles."

"Just find out how he died and report back to me." Ruan Qinwang said he wanted something to be proven before a move was made, a lesson learned far too late. Since a person like that died, it didn't seem to be too great of a loss to society.

The doors of the room were closed, as he walked out from the silent courtyard that now did not hold a living soul.

He looked upon the moon glowing with radiance and gave a sigh.

[How wonderful it would be if she were here…]

It was all too late now.