Meeting Shen Zhong in the Rain

Raindrops beat upon the roof of the carriage, their impact echoing within. Fan Xian closed his eyes and tried to rest. Some time later - he wasn't sure how long - he found that the carriage had stopped. The carriage door opened. Fan Xian smiled and stepped out into the rain, finding that an umbrella was already being held out for him, shielding him from the elements, with only a slight spring chill making its way through the alley and underneath the umbrella.

Wang Qinian was wearing black, holding the umbrella above Fan Xian's head. Behind him, the seven tiger guards carried their longswords on their backs, silently forming two lines on either side of Fan Xian.