Chapter 60 Osmanthus Wine

Meng Taotao drew a small sample, and it was only a matter of time to paint the exterior wall. Anyway, the store was not going to be open for business today. After consideration, Si Li decided to close the store early today to leave time for painting. The scholars in the store talked for a long time, but the scholar who bought the ice jelly never came forward to ask for his calligraphy. The plan to exchange calligraphy and painting for food and drink seemed to be in vain. In the end, he paid the bill for everyone's milk tea and left in disappointment.

The next day, when a colleague who had not bought anything the day before asked about the taste, Hanlin said coldly, "The taste is OK, but the store is not sociable."

The colleagues who had stayed with him looked at him and did not point out that the poem he wrote yesterday contained many words describing the beauty of the store owner.

Some people believed Hanlin's words while others did not. Those who did not believe insisted on sending people to buy food from Wanglai Ju. When the servants arrived at the store and saw the food, they were stunned.

The long queue was one thing, but the words shouted by the rough man standing by the barrel were confusing. A servant couldn't help but step forward, and before he could say anything, a customer in the queue asked angrily, "What are you doing? Do you know how to queue?"

The servant smiled and asked, "Big brother, why haven't you heard about that silken tofu milk tea?"

Shopkeeper Tang smiled and said kindly, "The limited edition items are different every day. Yesterday's was silken tofu milk tea, and today's is ginger candy pearl milk tea. There are ten left. If you want to buy one, you have to queue up first. Or would you like the unlimited jasmine milk tea and caramel milk tea?"

The servant was worried because his master wanted silken tofu milk tea, and this kind of milk tea was not available. He did not dare to make a decision on his own. He nodded quickly, said goodbye and returned to the mansion.

As luck would have it, the servant was from the Jian family. After recounting the situation to the cousin who was waiting at home, the servant thought he would be praised, but he heard Si Tang say, "Aren't they all limited edition milk teas? Can't you buy some first?!"

After living in the Jian family for a few days, although she had everything she wanted, Si Tang still didn't dare to go home. Seeing that the milk tea in Wanglaiju was becoming popular, she came up with the idea of ​​going home to please her father. She was afraid that the nasty Wanglaiju staff would know the maids around her, so she temporarily found someone from the Jian family, but she didn't expect that the Jian family's servants were so stupid and ruined her business!

The servant was shocked by the anger of his cousin who always treated people with a gentle face. He apologized repeatedly, "I will go buy it again right away. I will go right away. Miss, please don't get angry and hurt yourself!"

However, when the servant hurried to the East Market, he heard the team in front sighing with regret, "Oh, how come it's gone so quickly!" The servant's heart skipped a beat, and when he asked again, he found out that the limited ginger sugar milk tea had been sold out! Now, he was a little scared even to think about going back home. When the cousin's face changed, although she was still beautiful, he always felt a little cold behind him.

The servant lingered in front of the mansion for a long time without going in. Mrs. Jian, who had just returned from the business, saw him and recognized him as a servant working for her family. She called him over and asked in confusion, "What happened in the mansion? Who are you waiting for here?"

The servant said bitterly, "It was me who did something wrong..."

He told her everything in detail. After listening to her, Mrs. Jian said coldly, "I just came back to look for her. Come with me. Miss cousin is kind and won't make things difficult for you."

Si Tang, who was sitting in the attic reading a book but couldn't read a single word, saw the servant coming in at first sight. Seeing that he had nothing in his hands, her face changed slightly. Before she could say anything, she saw someone coming out from behind. She was stunned for a moment, and then her anger turned into a smile, "Aunt, how come you have time to come and see Atang today?"

"It's just on the way." Madam Jian said in a neutral tone, looking at her for a few times, "I feel relieved to see that you are eating and drinking well."

Si Tang's smile froze. What's the difference between this and saying that she only knows how to eat and drink? She immediately added, "The winter exam is approaching, and Atang has been studying at home these days, but has ignored her aunt and cousins. It's Atang's fault. Look, I asked someone to buy some fashionable milk tea..." She turned to the servant and smiled kindly, "Have you given it to your aunt?"

The servant shuddered, "My dear cousin, no, I didn't buy it."

"That's enough." Seeing that Si Tang was about to take the opportunity to lose his temper, Mrs. Jian interrupted him and said, "It's not a big deal. Just think about us. It doesn't matter whether you buy these or not." After saying that, Mrs. Jian left with the servants, leaving Si Tang with a stiff smile on his face.

After the people from the Jian family left the room, Si Tang stopped laughing and threw the book in his hand to the ground, "You don't know how high the sky is or how deep the earth is!"

Su Jin, who came with her to the Jian residence, picked up the book and whispered, "Miss, why don't you just admit your mistakes to the old man and leave it at that. It's also good to receive guidance here..."

"Shut up!" Si Tang glared at her angrily. "What will become of me if I go back like this now? Won't he embarrass mother even more?!"

Unspeakable grievances surged in her heart, and Si Tang's eyes were red as she spoke. She grew up with her mother and was not very close to her father. She only knew that her father was working in the court all year round, and the time they saw each other was less than half of that with her mother. In contrast to her father's indifference to Si Li, she thought that her father was just not good at expressing himself, but actually doted on her very much, otherwise he would not have taught her to study since she was a child, and would have allowed her to take away many opportunities from Si Li.

It was this kind of confidence that allowed her to send people out to cause trouble in her father's name. Who knew it would turn out like this! Her father's cold face often appeared in her nightmares at night. She was a little scared. In her father's eyes, perhaps she was no different from Si Li.

The tears in her mother's eyes when she argued with her father over her flashed through Si Tang's mind, and she clutched the handkerchief unconsciously.

After bidding farewell to Si Tang, Mrs. Jian led her people back to the main courtyard. When the lights were on, her husband hurried back from outside. As soon as he entered the house, Jian Bingde looked around, sighed, and complained, "That child, Atang, is eating alone in the yard again? This matter is so chaotic, the child is upset, and you don't care about it."

Madam Jian sneered, "With you running around for her, why should she be upset? Is she upset about spending money, or about eating, drinking and dressing today?"

"How can you say that about Atang?" Jian Bingde paused while taking off his hat. "Who said that to you? Even if the bones are broken, they are still connected. He just came to stay for two days. We have money, so we can spend it. Why bother about it? I tell you, Bai Fu admitted his mistake and said that he shouldn't treat the child like that. He will come to pick Atang up tomorrow. I can go with him to see Ah Li."

"Look, what are you waiting for tomorrow, Ali? You didn't see her when you went there today?"

"Oh." Jian Bingde rubbed his face. "She's scared. What can I do?"

Mrs. Jian slammed the table and said, "Jian Bingde! Wake up, if Ah-Li saw you running around for Si Tang and spending a lot of money but not caring about her, how upset would she feel? Have you ever thought about it? And I always feel that this is wrong. Ah-Li was afraid of you before, so she at least let someone take you to see you secretly. Why didn't you let anyone see you after you came back from Guangji Temple?"

"Madam," Jian Bingde softened his tone, "Calm down. If you think it's wrong, then it's definitely wrong. I'll have someone check it out."

"That's more like it." Mrs. Jane rolled her eyes. "I'm not saying she spends a lot, but look at her. She's been here for such a long time, but she doesn't come to visit the two little ones or play with them. She just buys this and that every day. How can she be like that? I heard that this child asked someone to go to the recently popular residence to cause trouble. She should apologize, so you can't find fault with her."

Jian Bingde apologized and surrendered, finally coaxing his wife to smile again. On the other side, in the Si residence, Si Baifu, who had seen off his uncle, sat by the window with a calm and indifferent expression. He finished reviewing the last document at a glance and turned his wrist, "Where is the madam?"

The servant standing by said hurriedly, "Madam has brought sweet soup. I will let Madam go back as you ordered."

"Yes." Si Baifu nodded, "Send someone to check where the young lady is and bring her back tomorrow. Clean up the mess."

"Yes. We found out earlier that he was heading toward the county. We couldn't find him in the nearest county town, so we have sent people to look for him far away. We will definitely have a result tomorrow."

The two of them never mentioned the second young lady who had also left home. The servant stole a glance at his master, and the man who had been drinking and laughing with Jian Bingde before seemed to have never existed. Before Si Baifu noticed him, the servant bowed and left the study. He knew in his heart that no matter whether it was the eldest young lady or the second young lady, they would not have a good ending this time.

---

The ice-powder painting that Si Li brought to compare with Meng Taotao's painting has already been brought into the palace. Si Baifu, the head of the inner cabinet who never leaves Wenyuan Pavilion before nightfall, has finished his own affairs and is standing at the gate between the harem and the front hall, holding a scroll in his hand. He looks calm, as if he is waiting for someone.

The eunuch Lu Xi beside him was hunched over. He was obviously a close minister of the emperor and a villain in folk storytelling. However, his face was full of humility and fatigue, and he didn't look like the kind of person who would roll around in the prosperous countryside at all.

There were almost no people between the front hall and the back palace. It was as quiet as an empty city. The imperial guards holding swords and spears guarded the inner city, and they were serious and silent. It made people wonder whether they were protecting the safety of the palace or preventing the people in the palace from escaping from the cage.

The sound of footsteps came closer and closer. Jiang Hengyun, wearing the crown prince's court robes, walked out from the corner of the semi-dark palace wall. Seeing the two people waiting, he nodded slightly, "Master Si, Chief Steward Lu."

Lu Xi bowed deeply, turned around and pushed open the door to the harem, "Your Highness, please come in."

The imperial guards looked straight ahead, as if they did not see the young man, whom the emperor had ordered not to enter the palace without his imperial edict, slowly walk in.

If the area between the inner palace and the front hall was quiet, the inner palace was dead silent. The dim sunlight in the evening cast deep and strange shadows on the flowers and plants everywhere. The dusty palaces were next to each other, and the smell of decay was everywhere. The footsteps of the three people knocked on the bluestone slabs and were heard far away. No one questioned the strange state of the deep palace. They were silent all the way. They passed by the Qianqing Palace, the emperor's bedroom, which still had some signs of cleaning. There was no light or sound inside, and the three people did not stop.

It was not until they were not far from Qianqiu Palace that they could hear the faint sound of bamboo music. Lu Xi opened the lock on the palace gate with shaking hands and stood outside the door without taking another step forward. Si Baifu presented the scroll with both hands and followed Jiang Hengyun.

Jiang Hengyun took the scroll and walked in.

There was no one in the main hall. Following the sound, I stepped into the warm pavilion. As soon as I heard the door open, I heard a middle-aged man shouting in the middle of the room, "Si Baifu, you bastard, I won't use my seal, absolutely not!"

"Your Majesty." Jiang Hengyun pushed open the door and looked over indifferently.

The middle-aged man in the dragon robe widened his eyes and made a strange gurgling sound in his throat. He fell backwards, but his voice was still loud and alert, "Who are you? What do Si Baifu and that rebellious son want you to do? The jade seal is in my hand, I am the emperor!" The woman next to him caught him who fell backwards. The emperor of the current dynasty leaned in the woman's arms. Apart from a dragon robe that was washed and a little untied, he had no ornaments on his body.

The woman holding him met Jiang Hengyun's eyes, shuddered, and lowered her head to hide the anger in her eyes.

"Your Majesty, the seal has been returned to the inner cabinet. Don't worry about it. You just need to have fun with the concubine."

Jiang Hengyun curled his lips and scanned the simple furnishings in the house. It was already winter, but the house was still light and comfortable like summer. The Boshan stove was piled with branches in all directions, and was still emitting black smoke, which barely brought some warmth to the house. One of the strings of the Yaoqin on the table had broken. The food boxes piled in the corner of the table were half-opened, and most of the steamed potatoes and sweet potatoes were left inside. Without asking others, he knew that this was the meal left for the two people for the next day.

After hearing what he said, the emperor fell into the concubine's arms and murmured, "I am the Son of Heaven, I am not the Son of Heaven..." He looked a little crazy.

Concubine Yuan, who was rumored to be the most favored concubine in the imperial harem, was wearing seven or eight summer dresses that had become old. She lowered her head and glanced at him furtively.

Jiang Hengyun took a step forward, and the imperial concubine shuddered, "What are you going to do?"

"Nothing. This year, the Imperial College found a painting to be very spiritual and sent it to the palace. I also thought that Your Majesty should take a look at it." Jiang Hengyun unfolded the scroll and spread it on the only table in the room. The bowl of ice jelly painted with light and deep ink was unexpectedly crystal clear, and the sunlight seemed to be dancing on it. One could feel the coolness and sweetness in it at a single glance.

The emperor, who was still shaking his head, suddenly stood up, threw himself forward, pressed down the scroll, and tried to touch the icy edges with trembling fingers. Before he touched it, he quickly withdrew his hand and laughed, "It's time to take a look, it's time to take a look, I like it so much, who are you, appreciate it!" As he laughed, a line of tears fell from his eyes, "This is what Sheng'er did before, I like it so much."

The emperor turned around and grabbed Concubine Yuan's collar, crying and laughing beside her like a child, "Sheng'er did it before, it was very sweet..."

Concubine Yuan held him in her arms. Her plain face showed deep traces of time. In the blink of an eye, she burst into tears. "Your Majesty, I am here."

The two cried together and hugged each other tightly. They looked so familiar and compatible that anyone who saw this scene would think they were a couple who had been together for many years. Si Baifu, who was guarding the side of the warm pavilion, saw the coldly standing Crown Prince's clenched hands. Hatred and murderous intent exploded from the usually indifferent young man, and Si Baifu withdrew his gaze.

The murderous intent at that moment was caught by Concubine Yuan Gui, who was facing Jiang Hengyun head-on. She hugged the emperor and stepped back in fear, her whole body shrinking in the emperor's shadow. Between the fear of life and death, she asked the question she wanted to know most, "Where is my child?"

Jiang Hengyun laughed sarcastically, "He will grow up well, just like you will live well. I promised my mother that I would not use my sword against my own people. I am a man who keeps his promises."

Concubine Yuan looked at him as if she were looking at a devil. She spoke uncontrollably with trembling lips, "You killed so many, so many!" She had been living in a nightmare for many years. Whenever she closed her eyes, she would think of the young man who had drawn a sword and entered the palace that night, covered in blood and looking like a Shura.

"I won't explain it a second time." Jiang Hengyun was a little annoyed. "Since Your Majesty likes it, then hang it in Wenyuan Pavilion. Shangyin Neige will draft the document, so Your Majesty doesn't have to worry about it." He rolled up the scroll and walked out.

The emperor, who had just realized that the painting had been taken away, turned around in panic, stumbled to his feet and tried to grab Jiang Hengyun's sleeve, but he couldn't. He fell down with every step he took behind him, begging like a child, "Empress! Bingfen - Sheng'er! Don't go!"

Jiang Hengyun did not stop, allowing the emperor to fall behind him with a bruised face. He walked out of the warm room with big strides and closed the door while crying loudly. He handed the scroll back to Si Baifu and said coldly, "If your majesty is pleased, you can give it as per the rules."

The two of them left Qianqiu Palace. Si Baifu said goodbye and returned to Wenyuan Pavilion. Lu Xi, who was guarding the palace gate, closed and locked the door. She glanced at Jiang Hengyun cautiously and saw that he was just standing outside the door without much displeasure. Then she asked, "Will Your Highness come again? I will open the door for Your Highness tomorrow."

“…No need.”

The three words were almost squeezed out from between his teeth. Lu Xi did not dare to say anything more.

It wasn't long since he entered the palace. When he stepped out of the palace gate, the sky was still glowing with a crescent moon and sunlight. Jiang Hengyun stood under the palace wall that separated the imperial palace from the outer city.

The bustling voices outside the palace are endless, as if it is another world.

He walked forward aimlessly, and when he came to his senses, he was already standing on the top of Qiyun Tower. The sky had completely darkened, and the moonlight was falling. Looking out of the half-open window, he could only see the outlines of the utensils in the backyard of Wanglaiju and the warm yellow lights in the kitchen. There were no lanterns on in Wanglaiju tonight, but playful laughter came up with the wind, vaguely saying "The prince ordered food today but left early."

"Then just give it to him tomorrow. There's no rush." ​​This is Si Li.

"I thought you were going to keep your own accounts."

The girls' noises stopped after a while. Some left and some came back. Only the candlelight in the kitchen remained bright.

The vitality of Wanglaiju was overwhelming, but the Qiyunlou behind him was already dead.

He had never hated the man in the palace so much. If there was no throne, perhaps his mother would still be alive like these people in Wanglaiju. The night wind was very cold, and Jiang Hengyun raised his hands to cover his eyes.

Si Li in the kitchen chased away the messy Xiao Qi, prepared tomorrow's dishes, boiled hot water for washing, and when she came out with the wooden basin, she looked up and suddenly saw a person behind the second-floor window of the Qiyun Building opposite, and she was immediately startled.

"…Prince?"

It was dark at night, and the person standing there was not clearly visible because of the light behind him. Si Li waved, not sure if it was Jiang Lang, "Sir, what are you looking at there?"

It's the middle of the night, it's pretty scary. Maybe the haunted creature that the horseshoe cabinet mentioned was this kid who had nothing better to do than to scare people. I don't know where he got such a bad taste.

The figures on the upper floors of Qiyun Tower were also frightened and retreated in a panic. In the blink of an eye, there was no one behind the window.

Now, Si Li became completely suspicious. Could it be that there was a thief or a pervert?

Just as she was thinking about whether to ask Wang Ting to report the case to the patrol detective, Si Li heard a knock on the wooden door between Wanglaiju and Qiyunlou. She instantly became alert. She opened the door with a kitchen knife in one hand and a padlock in the other. Half of her body was hidden behind the door, and she asked in a low voice, "Prince?"

Jiang Hengyun, who had just straightened his mask before opening the door, caught a glimpse of the faint knife light, but pretended not to see it and said calmly, "It's me."

Si Li breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Why are you here now? Have you eaten? I haven't made you today's candied sweet potato yet, but it's too late. I'm afraid it's a bit too much to eat. Tao Tao still has some noodles. Can I give you another bowl?"

While asking for his opinion, Si Li led him in. She put the kitchen knife aside as if nothing had happened, tiptoed to light the lantern in the yard, and waited for a long time without getting any response from "Jiang Lang", so she looked back in confusion.

Jiang Hengyun nodded indifferently.

The wooden bench in the courtyard was cold. Sitting in the courtyard, one could see the slender figure busy in the kitchen. Jiang Hengyun sat for a while. Although there was a lantern in the courtyard, it was not as bright as the light in the kitchen. He stood up and walked into the kitchen. Si Li was stunned, "Are you waiting impatiently?"

White mist rose from the iron pot, and noodles and green cabbage leaves were mixed together in a common manner. Just by smelling it, Jiang Hengyun knew that this bowl of noodles was definitely not delicious, but he said nothing. He sat down on the narrow stool in the kitchen and began to wait quietly.

It seems that he is really hungry.

Si Li quickened her movements, but she couldn't cook the noodles any faster. She spread the noodles to prevent them from sticking together, looked around, and saw two porcelain pots placed side by side. She picked up one of them, along with a small bowl and a spoon, and placed it in front of "Jiang Lang", "I just bought some osmanthus honey. I'm really hungry. Eat a spoonful first."

After saying that, she returned to the pot. Jiang Hengyun pulled away the red cloth that blocked the mouth of the porcelain pot, and a light smell of alcohol came out. This was obviously not nectar.

His mother said that drinking alcohol is harmful to the body, and he never drank alcohol, but when a bottle of wine was placed in front of him, he slowly poured a glass. It had a light floral fragrance at first, and a sweet and mellow aftertaste. Somehow, he felt a little dizzy.

When Si Li came back after cooking the noodles, she saw the Prince of Yue sitting in the corner, holding the bowl in a daze, with a faint unnatural blush on his face and a pair of wet eyes, which actually looked a bit pitiful.

When Si Li got closer and smelled it, her heart skipped a beat. Oh no! The osmanthus wine and osmanthus honey jars I bought today for experimentation were exactly the same. I got the wrong jar.

However, Jiang Lang looked quite good when he was slightly tipsy. Si Li couldn't help but take another look at him before saying, "You can't drink, right? I got the wrong drink. Here, this is your noodle."

The slightly drunk Jiang Hengyun was particularly obedient. He handed the wine bowl to Si Li and took the bowl of noodles. After taking a bite, he put down his chopsticks and pointed out expressionlessly, "It's overcooked."

“…”

Si Li was a little embarrassed. She swore that she had cooked it well, but without the assistance of the system, the overturn was so sudden. She reached out and prepared to take away the bowl and cook a new one, but her hand dodged.

"Jiang Lang" looked up at her without blinking, "Your mother is gone, leaving you alone, will you be sad?" He paused, and said the last sentence with some difficulty, "...Do you hate yourself?"

Si Li was stunned.

What kind of a question is this? Has Jianglang's life-thinking class started again? !

However, since someone asked, she had to give an answer. She was not the original owner, so why should she be sad? Moreover, it was said that the original owner's mother had a difficult birth and only one of them could survive, but the original owner's mother decided to let the original owner survive, which was her mother's expectation for the original owner. So over the years, the original owner had been suffering from major and minor illnesses, and was constantly bullied and humiliated, but she insisted on surviving.

The original owner always believed that her mother loved her. She couldn't let her mother down and had to live well. That's why she was particularly angry when others said that she brought shame to her mother.

But... is this really what Jiang Lang wants to ask? Si Li looked at the young man opposite her seriously. His face was no different from usual, except that his eyes, like deep pools, had a little ripple in the night. A little fatigue and weakness emerged from them, and the true heart seemed to be close at hand.

I haven't heard that the Princess of Yue is gone? Then what's the matter with this pitiful little look? Si Li pondered and suddenly remembered what Xiao Qi said about the Crown Prince being the first supporter of the Prince. Could this problem be the Prince's problem?

The Queen has passed away for many years. Could it be that before she died, the Queen had some requests to the Prince, or left behind some regrets, which caused the Prince to be troubled and made his younger brother, the Prince of Yue, also worried?

Si Li felt that she had grasped the key point. She concealed the part that the original owner did not want to disappoint her mother, and said carefully, "Mothers always hope that their children can survive. Survive, look forward, live better, rather than live in the past. Many things are in the past and cannot be changed. Prince, don't punish yourself for mistakes that are not yours."

After saying this, Si Li felt ashamed of herself. She was really not a suitable person to comfort others.

Jiang Hengyun stood up shakily, picked up the osmanthus wine pot and poured another bowl, tilted his head back and drank it down, sneering, "Yes, why am I asking you? You don't know anything."

How can you talk like that?! Si Li moved her eyes away from the young man's slender white neck, and her anger subsided. In fact, what "Jiang Lang" said was right. She was not the original owner. She had never experienced the death of her parents, so she really knew nothing.

Seeing Jiang Lang drinking, Si Li also felt a little greedy. She reached over with a bowl and touched the porcelain plate in his hand, "Pour me a bowl too."

Jiang Hengyun glanced at her and slowly filled a bowl of wine.

Taking a sip of wine, a warm feeling rose from her stomach. Si Li said frankly, "I don't know anything, but I know that life is precious and we must live well." Like her, she died suddenly and inexplicably, and came to this strange dynasty, with no place to cry.

"Heh." Jiang Hengyun laughed, picked up the wine bowl and drank another bowl. He tilted his head to look at the moonlight outside the window, and the moonlight filled his eyes.

The young man sat on a small stool with his long legs stretched out, not knowing where to put them. He looked different from his usual calmness, with a different kind of elegant beauty. One hand was placed on his knee, the other holding a bowl. The slight wrinkles did not destroy the overall beauty, but rather accentuated the sharpness. His legs were slender, well-proportioned, and not too much or too little, just the right amount of beauty.

Si Li looked into his eyes and then at his hands. She was confused for a moment. She couldn't tell whether the hands composed by the system AI were good-looking, or Jiang Lang's hands were good-looking, or the hands of the stunning Crown Prince were good-looking.

Oh, do all beautiful hands look so similar?

Her head was already a little dizzy, and the memories of her past life were churning in her mind. Si Li sighed, "You have to live a good life. No matter how annoying your boss is or how weird your colleagues are, you still have to get up and go to work every day with a smile on your face." She burped a little, "But the life now is actually not bad."

Thinking about her current life, Si Li suddenly remembered that when she made noodles before, the system bonus was turned off because the business was over for the day, which means that this is a bowl of noodles without the happy bonus of "a smile". No wonder it was complained that it tasted bad, and the boy opposite her looked like he was dying.

"It's over, I did something wrong." Si Li sighed and covered his face.

Jiang Hengyun tilted his head to look at her, as if he could see through what she was thinking, and curled the corners of his lips, "It tastes bad." The smile grew a little bit, turning into a pure, happy smile, without any sarcasm, purely and cleanly.

"Hmm?" Si Li was already drowsy and didn't even notice that "Jiang Lang" got up and left.

That night, people in both the Si and Jian residences had trouble falling asleep. However, Si Li, who was the center of the conversation, slept well. In her dream, someone was leaning on a railing and looking out. Behind him was a bright moon, shining brightly.