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Oh, right, there's one other thing. Today I found these snacks that my dad once sent me a long time ago.

Who gave you permission to leave you room as you please?

Wha?

Seriously? I've been living off takeout for three days straight. I just wanted to go out and grab a bite to eat—is that not allowed?

How many times have I told you? Your identity and status are extremely important; your current situation is dreadfully tenuous. Are you taking this seriously or not?

Lin Qingyan! Are you off your rocker? We already established the three rules. No one said I was confined to my room!

I had a good life back at Rhodes Island. Then you showed up and told me my father's death was suspicious, without giving any details.

I came all the way here to Baizao, the place where my dad used to live, and you still haven't told me anything! You've made me stay in this room, day after day, and now you have the gall to yell at me?

I... that is—

Forgive me. I should not have scolded you. The current situation is not as I had anticipated.

What 'situation'? Is there anything I can do to help?

I don't know. A lot of unexpected things happened in Baizao before we arrived.

If you would aid me, then simply do what you can to avoid danger, understood?

As for your father, I just happened to be handed that case a few years ago.

The case was originally being handled by my predecessor, someone I trusted deeply. Your father seemed to have been spending a lot of time pursuing a certain 'truth' in the last few years of his life.

His death was suspicious. Every clue we've found hints that there were larger forces at work there. How large? We don't know for certain, nor can we even hope to guess.

But your mere existence is the most important piece of evidence we have.

Blaze, I vow to you I will find the truth, and once I do, I will tell you everything.

However, until I do, I simply need you to trust me. I need you to cooperate with me.

By the way, what were you saying about your father just now?

I said I found these snacks that he used to send to me a long time ago.

And?

They don't taste the same as they used to. Maybe it's just because I'm remembering wrong.

The Yanese have a saying for this, right? 'The situation remains the same, yet the people have changed.'

No. That's not right. The situation has also changed.

Well then, a more apt saying would be, 'Times change, and with them, change all things.'

Too much time has passed. It will be very hard for us to find any clues left from back then.

But these are in fact one of the few things I've found in Baizao that relates to my father.

When I lived with my mother in Victoria, my dad would send them to me from time to time.

I figured that by the time I got my disease under control and figured out what I really believed in, my dad would be back in Victoria, waiting for me to come home. Naive.

Everyone longs for that sort of 'happy ending'.

And yet, by the time I found a place that could treat my Oripathy and finished some of the things I had to do with the bunny's crew... my dad... was gone.

Before you came and found me, I always thought my dad's death was an accident. I was sad, but there was nothing I could do about it.

But if you're telling me my father was murdered.... then that's an entirely different story.

I need to learn the truth. I owe that to my father... and myself.

In all truth, I know very little about what happened to your father. Many of the old archives have been lost, and very little information can be extracted from what remains.

Just from looking at the case files he left behind, we can see that your father worked as a ceremonial officer in the Ministry of Rites for over ten years but never got promoted. It seems he was not well-suited to serve in public office.

However, to stay in a position like that for over a decade... he must have been a good person.

Good people... good people also die.

She walks over to the window, closes her eyes, and rubs her temples.

The faraway city lights are shimmering in the twilight. The years of wandering are long over.

People today are moving from one stage of life to the next, as the city guides them and runs right behind them.

Many boundaries are blurred, many high walls become thoroughfares, many hurried footsteps pass over the paving stones. Not everyone is qualified to etch their name into the annals of history.

It's high autumn.

The courtyard is silent. Its long, thick walls prevent outside noise from coming in. It's empty, save for an old persimmon tree leaning against the wall in the shade, with its old crown extending over the top of the wall.

No one knows what this old tree has witnessed over the years. We do know that, since its planting, it has turned red, and green, and red again, as the seasons have flown by.

Each year, bright red, fresh persimmons grow from its branches, and each year, these beautiful fruits wipe away old memories of previous harvests.

The old man sits under the tree, sleeping in the shade.

...Grandfather.

Grandfather?

Huh.... wha?

Ciqiu? You're back?

Yes. I got delayed a bit on the way back, but thankfully, I made it in time for the Mid-Autumn festival.

I've been thinking a lot these past few days. I've been watching the persimmons grow redder and redder. I was afraid that if you didn't come back soon, we wouldn't be able to eat them together this year.

I'm not sure how many more harvests I will live to see. If you had come back any later, you may not have even seen me here...

Grandfather...

Ning Ciqiu decides not to crack any jokes, as she usually would have done. She looks at the old man closely. He seems to have a few new wrinkles on his forehead this time.

The autumn wind blows suddenly, ruffling the old man's hair.

We completed our trial of Dahuang's first mobile plate last month. I've finished up my work at the Ministry of Rites for now, so they allowed me two weeks' vacation.

You've worked really hard.

I heard about the goings-on in Dahuang as soon as they happened. I've detailed all my criticisms in my letters.

I know you were involved in the disaster relief effort as well, but every Yanese mandarin is duty-bound to protect the people. As an Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites, you must take responsibility for the poor management here.

Deducting half a year's pay is letting you off easy. You have nothing to complain about.

Of course I shall not complain, and I take my errors to heart.

Ciqiu, you must remember: do not focus on what you've already done; focus on what you still haven't done yet.

As a magistrate, you must carry out the orders of your superiors, while winning over and maintaining the trust of those below you, the citizens.

In your position, everything you do is only what was expected of you in the first place. However, should you fail in even the slightest of your responsibilities, it would be an unforgivable transgression.

If you do not understand this, you are not fit to wear your magisterial robes.

'Devote all your energy to the cause, as that is all you have to give.' I still remember the words you taught me so many moons ago.

I shall take this mistake to heart, but I shan't despair. Quitting now would really be shirking my responsibilities.

Yes.

Okay. I've said enough on this for now. I am not in your position, nor do I work in the Ministry of Rites. Therefore, I have no right to interfere.

Now, I am more worried about your injury. Are you well?

Do not worry, Grandfather. I recovered quite some time ago.

Broken bones take at least three months to heal, so please take caution. In a few days, after you get settled, make the time to go see a doctor. An old friend of mine gave me medicine patches. I'll give you some to take back home with you.

Very well, Grandfather.

You kids are always making me worry.

I'm just about to move back to my old hometown. My son and daughter never come to see me, and your sister is never home. Everyone's forgotten me.

What you say about my sister sounds true, but as far as you being forgotten... forgive me, but these past few days you've closed your door to all visitors.

Ugh. This again? Kids these days, you don't have your priorities straight, do you?

I haven't had a single moment of peace in this courtyard since the beginning of last month.

The youth today are clever, dare not knock on my door to offer me wine or tea. Instead, they've started watering my flowers. My poor hydrangeas. I spent so long growing them, and these kids have already drowned three pots this year!

Gah...

You've had so many visitors lately. I'd wager the Minister came and showed you the draft guest list of the Feast, didn't he?

It's rare to see the True Lung even once a year. I'm sure many would treasure the chance to learn the latest court gossip.

I have no reason to meet the young lad. He's the Minister, after all. What does he need my input for?

Come now, Grandfather. You served for decades in the Ministry of Rites. Your achievements were many, and your legacy is secure.

That's all in the past. If we keep focusing on the past, how will we deal with the present?

Mr. Ning, you have a guest.

I told you, no visitors. Who is it, anyways?

He says he is the Advisor of Yumen.

Hmm...?

The Advisor of Yumen? Never heard of him...

I don't care who he is. I said no visitors, and I meant it.

Grandfather, wait a moment. Might the advisor be here to see me?

Good sir, our master is not accepting visitors right now. Please come back another time.

Please tell Ning, err, your master, that an old friend is here.

Sir, no offense... but judging by your age, are you sure you're an 'old friend' of the master's?

It's true. I dare not make up stories.

Sir, please, be on your way. The master is not accepting any guests right now. If you really are an 'old friend', then I'm sure you wouldn't want to cause trouble, would you?