Though it was spring, the flowers in the Capital were late to bloom.
The Cui Mansion was draped in white silk and white lanterns, adding further desolation to the cold scene.
Shangguan Min, having rested through the night to replenish her energy, heard from her maidservant that Prince Qinghe had come to pay his respects. She hurriedly went to greet him personally.
Lu Qing, hands behind his back and a somber expression on his face, sighed heavily: "Cui Ziheng was a rare talent, an exceptional figure among the younger generation of the Lu Family. Alas, his untimely death is a great loss. Otherwise, he surely would have achieved greatness."
Shangguan Min remained silent and led him along the corridor toward the mourning hall.
As Lu Qing stepped across the threshold, he unexpectedly ran into Lu Ying, who had just emerged from the inner chamber.
He stopped short in surprise: "Your Majesty, this is…?"
