The summons came in the morning.
It was official this time. Red paper, formal seal, delivered by a senior eunuch who stood at the outer gate with the particular posture of someone carrying something important and fully aware of it. The language was palace standard, correct and precise. His Majesty requests the presence of Concubine Su at the imperial study at the hour of the snake.
Ethan read it twice.
Then he looked at Cheng, who was looking at the wall with great focus.
"You knew this was coming," Ethan said.
Cheng said nothing, which was confirmation enough.
Qingzao was already moving before Ethan said a word, pulling out the better blue robe and reaching for the good hair pins with the focused energy of someone who understood that what you looked like when you walked into a room sometimes decided how the room received you.
Ethan sat and let her work.
"Xixi," he said quietly while Qingzao's hands moved through his hair.
