Jun comes and picks me up from the training ground. By the time he arrives, Zhen and the purple blob version of Tai are still slugging it out.


    He only gives them a passing glance with his icy demeanor and snaps his fingers to signal some maids to carry me to the gazebo for tea.


    They place me in my usual spot overlooking the lake and he sits in a chair next to me. We go through our usual routine, where he silently pours my tea, and I silently accept the cup. Then we both relax into the silence as we enjoy the tea.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    After a few sips, I decide to risk it. “I hear congratulations are in order.”


    “If they are from you, I suppose I must accept them.”


    “But?”


    “All that news really means is that I don’t yet have any enemies of note at the imperial court. Nothing was truly achieved.”


    “I suppose you might have at least one more friend there than your cousin though.”


    He chuckles and we finish our tea in silence.