"This old minister was merely passing by," Li Xuangang said. "Seeing Your Highness practicing the sword, I felt it inconvenient to interrupt."
Zhou Chen did not ask why the State Preceptor would "pass by" the Eastern Palace.
He simply bowed slightly. "State Preceptor, have you come late at night to offer instructions?"
Li Xuangang looked at him, his gaze peaceful.
"I merely wished to see if Your Highness's sword was still as fast as it was three months ago."
Zhou Chen fell silent for a moment. "What does the State Preceptor think?"
"It is faster," Li Xuangang said. "But not because your techniques have become more exquisite. It is because your heart has grown calmer."
He paused. "Just now, when Your Highness was practicing your sword, you were not thinking of that alien, nor the scheduled duel, nor even the sword itself.
"Your Highness was only thinking of drawing the sword."
Zhou Chen did not deny it.
Li Xuangang nodded. "In that case, this old minister is relieved."
