Though the ceasefire between kingdoms kept fresh blood from being spilled upon the battlefields, the political arena was filled with turmoil. Once more, Zhuge Liang found himself making a personal visit to the court of Jin to make sure that nothing wrong happened in the temporary alliance. He would be lying if he denied the fact that each visit left a bitter taste in his mouth; the usurious snakes of the Sima clan had shown their fangs by ousting their lord, and here he was, expected to work for a noble cause alongside traitors.
Yet there was nothing to do but move forward. If his calculations were correct, this uneasy truce would buy the Kingdoms of Wu and Shu enough time to strengthen their forces. Further stratagems would have to wait, however. The people still needed time to grieve.
Seeking to unburden his mind, Kongming left the main chambers and entered a lonesome courtyard, along with an armed guard. It was one of many courtyards, but it was beautiful all the same. The afternoon sky completed the scene - a stark blue sky surrounding the ever-shining sun.
“Some things never change. I suppose the sun will rise again, tomorrow,” he thought.
As he sat on a stone bench, he came to realize that he was not alone. There was a young boy close by, busying himself with brush and paper. His clothes were far more regal than those of a young scribe-in-training and Zhuge Liang surmised that this boy was of noble lineage. Perhaps, even one of Sima Yi’s children.
Kongming watched, silent, waiting to see what he would do.