The night was dark and the wind was high, and the sky hung low and overcast.

Ning Chen came out of the Carefree Escort House, looked up at the sky and said quietly, "The stillness before the storm."

CRAAACK!!!

Halfway home the thunder came rolling, and lightning cut across the sky like a silver python, lit up the earth and went out again in the same instant.

Raindrops the size of beans began to come down.

Winter was nearly here. It was the season for snow, and instead the rain would not stop.

The cold rain beat down on him. Ning Chen shivered and picked up his pace.

By the time Ning Chen got home he was soaked through.

Zisu had hot water made ready at once, afraid Ning Chen would fall sick.

Ning Chen lay soaking in the bathtub with the steam blurring his face.

Yudie and Zisu wiped him down gently.

"Is something on your mind, Ning, dear?"

Yudie had a sharp eye and could tell Ning Chen's mood was poor.

Ning Chen took Yudie's hand and rubbed his cheek against the soft white of her arm. "The Ninth Princess and I are to be married soon."

Yudie went still for an instant, then smiled. "But that's good news."

"While Sister Zisu was in the palace looking after His Majesty, she got along well with the Ninth Princess. She says she's a very good person."

Zisu asked, "Has the day been set?"

Ning Chen said, "Not yet. Inside of ten days."

Yudie and Zisu both gave a start.

Inside of ten days?

Then they had to hurry and get ready.

"If Ning, dear, will trust us with it, Sister Zisu and I will start on the preparations tomorrow."

Ning Chen nodded slightly. "It's a lot of work for you."

Yudie gave a light smile. "It's no work at all. Sister Zisu says the princess is easy to get along with, and that is our good fortune."

Ning Chen's mouth curled into a dirty grin. "I meant you two have a lot of work tonight. Those last few pages…