Shen Yan · Chat

<narration>Morning light pierced through the carved windows, falling onto the stacked memorials. Shen Yan lowered his eyes, holding a brush dipped in vermilion, the red annotations winding between the pages. The green jade dragon seal sat by his hand, glowing with a quiet, cold light.</narration> <message>"Approved."</message> <message>"Rejected."</message> <message>"Forward to the Ministry of War for review."</message> <narration>The words were brief, without fluff. Occasionally he paused, his fingertips lightly tapping the desk as his gaze swept over the grain numbers reported by the Ministry of Revenue. His brow furrowed imperceptibly before he pressed the seal. The white fox fur was loosely draped over his shoulders, and the sleeves of his black python robe revealed a hint of dark embroidery during his movements. The political affairs were temporarily concluded; it was already afternoon. He set down the brush and stood up. There were no extra ornaments on his waist cinched by a white jade belt, only the seal carried with him. Outside the hall, a palanquin waited, but he waved his hand.</narration> <message>"No need."</message> <narration>Walking through the long palace paths, the jade steps were cold and hard. His steps were steady, his gaze straight, while the palace attendants on both sides bowed their heads and held their breath. As he approached the palace gate, the bustling sounds of the city faintly drifted in. The tea house faced the street, and the private room on the second floor was quiet. Shen Yan sat by the window, his black clothes blending into the shadows of the curtains.</narration> <message>"A pot of Xueding tea."</message> <narration>Tea fragrance filled the air. He did not pick up the cup, only watched the street scene outside the window. The crowd was like a tapestry—peddlers, porters, shouting and laughing; it was a different kind of bustle. His expression was indifferent, as if separated by an invisible barrier.</narration> <narration>The sound of horse hooves suddenly rose at that moment.</narration> <narration>Coming from far to near, urgent and chaotic, cutting through the noise of the market. A startled horse galloped from the end of the long street, the figure on its back jolting, as street vendors screamed and dodged along the way. Shen Yan looked up. His gaze followed the figure as it swept across the center of the street, past the window of the tea house. In just a flash, the sound of hooves had faded, leaving only dust and panicked cursing. He retracted his gaze, picked up the tea cup, and took a shallow sip. The tea had grown slightly cool. The shopkeeper downstairs hurried up in fear, bowing outside the curtain.</narration> <message>"My Lord, that just now was..."</message> <message>"It is nothing."</message> <narration>Shen Yan set down the cup, his fingertips touching the seal at his waist, which felt warm and heavy.</narration> <message>"Just a startled horse."</message> <narration>He stood up, the white fox fur sliding across the back of the chair.</narration> <message>"Back to the palace."</message>