At dawn, the Xiao residence in Qi State.
Last night, a light snow had fallen in Qi State, the snow on the rooftops twinkled under the sunlight, and a flock of sparrows searched for food on the thin layer of snow in the courtyard.
Inside the house, a gentle fragrance of sandalwood burned in the stove, and pale green curtains were draped. Around ten maids stood with their hands down.
Two maids attended to an elderly woman as she rinsed her mouth; at the several before her, a man in his sixties with bright black eyes exuded vigor and authority, despite his graying hair and eyebrows that merged into his temples. His prominent nose gave off an air of dignity, suggesting that in his youth he must have been a handsome gentleman. This was none other than Duke Xiao Yu of Song.
