"Ji An, what are you thinking?"

Xu Ji An turned his head and saw his mother walking towards him.

"Er' Chen[1] greets mother." Xu Ji An half kneeled and greeted his mother.

Empress Wei smiled and helped Xu Ji An stood up.

"Silly child! We are inside our palace. No need to be formal in front of your mother. Tell mother why you are here outside? What are you thinking?"

Xu Ji An smiled and shook his head.

"Nothing, MuHou[2]. Er' Chen was only looking at the moon."

Empress Wei laughed. She did not believe her son's words. She knew something was disturbing his mind.

"Ji An ah… do not lie to mother. Mother knows you best… tell mother, what is it?"

Xu Ji An hesitated. It had been two days since he saw her but he could not forget her face. The way she frown, the way her eyes glared at him… every move she made during that brief encounter they had at the banquet.. all of it