The night was cool and tranquil. Moonlight bathed the world below.

The occasional burst of uproar emanated from the distant alleyways, but this only further offset the peace and quiet of the courtyard.

Just as Su Yi’s thoughts raced, someone knocked at his gate.

“Young Lord Su, are you home?” Zhang Yuanxing’s voice sounded from just outside the courtyard.

Su Yi rose, opened the doors, and saw Zhang Yuanxing standing there with a pot of wine and a roast chicken. The ever-present, black-hatted Uncle Xiong was with him as usual.

“Might I ask why you’re here?” asked Su Yi.

“Doesn’t sharing a drink and conversation on a beautiful night like this sound grand?” As he said this, Zhang Yuanxing strolled right into the courtyard, a broad grin on his face. He looked around, then nodded. “It’s a bit crude, but it's nice and quiet.”

Zhang Yuanxing set the wine and chicken on the stone table beneath the old locust tree, then sat on one of the stone benches and smiled. “Please take a seat, Young Lord Su.”

He really made himself right at home, huh? Su Yi didn’t call him out on it, though. He took two wine glasses and sat across from Zhang Yuanxing.

“I brought this wine from home. It’s called ‘Pear Blossom Brew’,...