At the Hour of Shen in early autumn, aloeswood incense drifted from the bronze enamel censer in the main hall of the Marquis's Mansion, swirling in the cool breeze alongside the phoenix tree leaves outside the window. Jiang Wan knelt on the bluestone slabs, her back held ramrod-straight, gazing up at the Marquis presiding from above—her father's cousin, Li Chongshan. The jade thumb ring on his finger tapped rhythmically against the rosewood armrest, producing a crisp, faint tapping sound.
"Jiang Wan, do you know your crime?" The Marquis's voice was like ice hanging from the eaves, biting and cold.
She lowered her gaze to the seams of the golden bricks on the floor, where half a withered phoenix tree leaf was wedged. "Please enlighten me, Uncle."
Chapter 128