Xie Jue and Fang Chuning arranged to meet at a horse ranch in the outskirts of the capital. Fang Chuning was very familiar with the ranch; back in the day, when they returned to the capital, Xie Zhang, Xie Jue, and Xie Xun, the three brothers, enjoyed coming to the ranch to race horses and occasionally stayed for a few days. With nothing else to do, Fang Chuning would often accompany them, playing around at the ranch. Deep within the ranch was a bamboo grove, close to Yiling Village, surrounded by beautiful mountains and water. In the winter, snowflakes blanketed the sky, and the mountains exuded a crisp, clear chill. The flowing water murmured softly with the faint fragrance of snow-covered bamboo leaves mingled with the scent of tea, creating an utterly refreshing atmosphere.
