"The Ember of East has arrived."
As the woman finished speaking and turned to leave, the wind stirred by her sleeve violently shook the candle flame on the table. Shimmer of South hurriedly used his own sleeve to shield it. The sound of footsteps reached his ears, then a calloused hand came from the other side to help him protect the candle.
"It's been a long time since we parted in Jiangnan," the owner of the hand spoke.
He looked up and saw not the arrogant young master in golden robes, but a woman in plain clothes. Though her features were as before, her demeanor was completely different.
"You've changed so much," Shimmer of South couldn't help but say.
The Ember of East smiled, sitting down opposite Shimmer of South. "Ah, well, it's not that much, is it?"
That night, The Ember of East spoke starting from the Tang coin confiscation policy, moving on to the Nine Mortal Ways, River Deity, Shi Shouxin and others, the Master of Grain... Shimmer of South listened quietly, his fingers tapping the table rhythmically, as if keeping time with clappers... until the candle was about to burn out.
"What you ask is not much, I can give it to you, just..." Shimmer of South's gaze lingered on the last of the flame, "...help me protect this candlelight."
"Okay."
The Ember of East looked northward. The wind whimpered softly as it passed through her fingers.
"The wind isn't too strong today."
