Evening settled over the Emerald Market like a silk vell.The sky was brushed with faded gold and gentle violet, and the last rays of sunlight was giving its last little warm. on the tiled roofs. Lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, their soft glow lighting narrow path between wooden stalls.
The market was not loud as during the day. Voices were hushed as if even the wind respected the coming night.
Two men walked side by side, cloaks drawn close. One glanced around, then leaned towords the other. "Have you hea -rd? They brought him back. Bound an iron, like a stray beast. Hah... After all he did even that feels too merciful"
His companion looked up quickly, a hint of worry in his eyes, "Lower your voice. That name is forbidden now. Even the Soldiers dare not utter it."
The first man bitterly said "And what of it? He betrayed the prince, his sworn brother. He turned his back on the people, spot upon the name of our Kingdom. Emrald blood flowed that day because of him... I lost my big broth-er. LET THE HEAVENS FORGET HIS NAME, AND LET THE CROWS FEAST UPON HIS HONOR"
The other man was quiet for a moment. "Once they calle d him a hero," he murmured..
"Then may the word 'hero 'be burred beside him". The first snapped "for no true man of honor would. stain his hands with betrayal."
The lanterns fleckered gently as they walked on.
Not far behind, beneath the blossom tree, a cloaked figure stood in silence. His robe was simple, yet the edge of silver embroidery gleomed faintly in the lanternlight. He had hard to read expression on his face but the sharp line of his jow and the glint of pale eyes told of youth and sorrow.
He did not speak. He only listened. The voices of those men faded, but their words echoed in his chest like tones of sorrow like old wounds reopened coldness in their voices, the curse was nothing new.He had heard it countless time. He immediately knew who they were speaking about.
No hatred in the marked could match what he carried inside him. No voice spoke louder than his hatred.
Lanterns lined the stone path, their light reflecting of the pond that curled around the estate like a sleeping serpent. There lies the Jade Quarter, one of the mos Luxurious residences within the Innex Ring of the capital.
Silently as ever, he entered through the side gate, and before he could pull off his cloak, a familiar voice gree ted him. "You returned without a word again, my Lord .That again tells me something has stirred your thoughts .
The speaker bowed slightly from beneath the door. A man in his early fifties dressed. in simple robes of dark blue. His face bore the calm confidence of someone who had weathered storms greates than his Lord. His name was shen Mu and he had served household longer than any man still breathing.
The cloaked man gave no reply at first.
His features were sharp, refined, the face of who belonged to courts and war rooms. Not to street corners or dusty whispers. His eyes still touched with glow or anger, glanced towards shen.
The market air was thick with poison tonight." he said quietly voice smooth but heavy.
Shen hummed stepping forward to take the cloak from his master's shoulders.
"Lord why don't you sit and have some tea, since you have stayed in cold outside for too long? "he ask tone gentle.
As the man sat before the table, shen poured him tea without needing to be asked. A blend of calming herbs bitter enough to ground the mind.
"They spoke of him, then?" shen asked at last, setting the porcelain cup down before him.
There was silence for a while. The mysterious man stared into the steam rising from his tea. "Careful." the man murmured. "You speak too freely.
Shen chuckled softly, bowing his head.." Then punish me, my Lord. But finish your tea. It is still warm."
[Old Shen knew, his Lord wouldn't punish him ]
The man set down his empty teacup, his voice low and calm, but edged with weariness. "Fetch the water for my bath, Shen Mu."
The servent bowed with practiced grace." At once, my lord."
In the private bathing hall beyond the chamber, he lit the brass lanterns and opened the small vents to let in the night air. Then he prepared the water, perfect for his Lord. He added a trave of snow-lotus. petals, their faint scent filled the hall soon.By the time the Lord entered, robes slipping from his shoulders, the room was warm -ess. Shen mu knelt by the basin, folding a towel with quiet hands. "Your bath is ready, my lord." he said softly eyes Lowered.
The man gave no reply-only stepped into the water. shen Mu remained nearby, silent but watchful as always had, through every battle that left the brutal scars upon the skin and the deppest and darkest in the left chest.
The master leaned back against the stone rim, a fold-warm cloth draped gently across his eyes. His brea--thing was calm, but his voice broke the silence like a single drop upon still water. -ed
"You have heard it too haven't you, shen Mu? That they are bringing him back?"
Shen Mu, kneeling nearby, paused for the briefest mom -ent. Of course, he had heard. The entire state was full of gossip. Yet now he was unsure. How to speak of him
?
shoud he say the maris name? should he say sworn brother or simply the traitor?
But Shen mu was no ordinary servent. He choase his words. as one chooses steps through a battlefield. "Ves master." he said gently, folding a towel with care. "I have hea -rd that he will be brought back to the capital of noon tomorrow.
The said he will be received under heavy guard, and taken directly to the Hall of Judgement under the charge of Lord Wei Lin.
"Lord Wer Lin," he added softly has been full authority.
The master said nothing.
Aftex the bath, the master retired to his bedchamber in silence. But only the heavens knew, he didn ot close his eyes once. His body rested but his heart wandered back to a name everyone despise.
He got up from his bed chamber and went to for his study hall where he found his peace everytime but now he was having uneasiness.
He spoke I Li Xianyu hate him to the hell. I despise him more than anyone. Nothing can compare my hatred toward him.
He had not meant to speak. And yet, Why.... why did you do it?" Coward -- traitor... Luo Yinian!"
His fists trembled. His chest rose and fell. No Soldiers heard him. No court watched. No mask remained. Only the man who once stood beside him and now haunted his every silence.