South City Government Office, rear courtyard.
Everyone was gathered before the screen wall, their eyes glued to the few lines of characters carved into it with a saber.
"While other flowers fade and fall, one alone in beauty blooms."
The Minister recited, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
"Claiming all grace for the little garden..."
The Chief Clerk continued, his voice trembling slightly.
WHOOSH. In an instant, all eyes landed on the Courtesan, the Xiang Family.
The Xiang Family's delicate figure swayed, and her face instantly turned deathly pale.
"Sparse shadows stretch askew over waters clear and shallow; a subtle fragrance drifts on the dusky, moonlit air."
She murmured to herself, reciting the last two lines of the poem from the screen wall as tears streamed down her face.
"I was wrong!"
The Xiang Family said suddenly, then charged outside without a second thought.
