Xie Pei's death was sudden.
The next day, the news spread throughout the Capital City as if it had grown wings.
His Majesty was overcome with grief and ordered a grand burial, granting the late Marquis Zhongyong, who had once fought by his side, every posthumous honor.
However, because the end of the year was approaching and the Wazhen Mission was still in the city, Xie Anjun took the initiative to request a simple funeral.
His Majesty agreed.
...
In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve.
The north wind howled. Snow began to fall again from a lead-gray sky, blanketing the world in a vast expanse of white.
Ye Mansion.
Inside, silver charcoal in a brazier crackled and popped. A gentle warmth filled the room, and the air carried the faint, bitter scent of medicine.
Ye Jingyan, dressed in a bright blue brocade robe, stood before a table writing New Year's couplets.
