"Forgive it, Your Majesty. This old servant talks too much."

Eunuch Quan raised a hand and struck himself across the mouth.

The Xuan Emperor let out a sigh. "Still no word of him?"

Eunuch Quan said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, there has been no word at all of Young Master Ning since he left the capital."

"Word came back from the Wu Kingdom that Young Master Ning has not gone to the Wu Kingdom either."

The Xuan Emperor's brows drew together a little. "He is off wandering the hills and rivers, most likely... It is as well he has gone. It saves this emperor the irritation of having to look at him."

Eunuch Quan said nothing. He knew His Majesty did not mean a word of it.

"Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince has sent up a memorial. He will not be coming back for the new year."

The Xuan Emperor made a small sound of assent.

Time went by, and New Year's Eve came.

At the residence by the imperial tombs the Eldest Prince had a great table of dishes set out.

"Come. This first cup we drink to Father Emperor, and wish him ten thousand blessings and golden peace."

They emptied their cups together.

The Eldest Prince filled his cup again and smiled. "This second cup I drink to all of you... Thank you for keeping the new year with me. Without you I would have kept it alone this year."

Again they emptied their cups together.

The Eldest Prince filled his cup once more. "This third cup I must drink to Ning Chen. Without him I would hardly have had the chance to sit here drinking with you all."

"Ning Chen, I took the wrong road once, and there is no medicine in this world for regret... I only hope that when this cup is drunk, what went before can be turned like a page."

Ning Chen smiled, raised his cup and touched it against the other man's.

They began passing the cups back and forth, and it was a merry gathering.

Nanzhi rose and made a graceful…