Tongzhou.
A light morning rain drizzled down, and a gentle breeze rustled the willows.
Outside the city, on the riverbank, Pei Shaoqing and County Magistrate Wang sat side by side, each holding a bamboo fishing rod as they fished.
Ye Hanshuang, dressed in white with her hair in a ponytail, leaned against the carriage in a relaxed posture, a sword cradled in her arms. She idly chewed on a verdant green willow twig, looking utterly bored.
Zhao Zilan, clad in a purple silk dress with her hair done up with a jade pin, was squatting on the ground to brew tea. She fanned the flames with a small fan, her skirt hitched up slightly to reveal her exquisite embroidered slippers and white silk socks. If the hem were to ride up just a little more, her flawless white calves would come into view.
County Magistrate Wang glanced back at his own Scholar, who was also brewing tea, and tutted, "To be flanked by two such extraordinary beauties... Young Master Pei, you are a fortunate man indeed."
