The night passed without incident.
Just past the hour of the Tiger, dark clouds drifted over Shu State, obscuring the summer stars.
The humid, hot wind died down, replaced by a cool, refreshing breeze that set the lanterns in Spring Lotus Garden swaying.
A moment later, a light rain began to fall, pattering against the curved eaves and tiles.
Even so, Chen Yi remained asleep.
It wasn't until a clamor arose outside that he groggily opened his eyes. Peering at the raindrops falling through the dim light outside his window, he finally realized it was raining.
"Xiaodie, what time is it?"
Xiaodie's voice came from outside the room. "Young Master, it's already past the halfway mark of the hour of the Tiger."
'The hour of the Tiger... Didn't my wife say yesterday that we're leaving at the hour of the Rabbit?'
Chen Yi's head cleared. He got out of bed of his own accord to stretch his limbs, then called for Xiaodie to help him wash up and dress.
