Old Madam Yin felt Yin Huo's hand to make sure it wasn't cold, and after giving him a few more instructions, she said, "It's getting dark, I won't keep you any longer. Go back to your quarters to have dinner, and after resting for a while, take your medicine."
Yin Huo acknowledged her words, stood up ready to leave, then paused and asked, "Haven't my eldest sister and second sister and third sister come to visit these past few days?"
"They have," Old Madam Yin said languidly, "But you always come back late, so you've simply missed them."
Yin Huo nodded and turned to leave.
Old Madam Yin watched her grandson walking away, then sighed deeply as she saw him go off into the distance.
If only he would ask one more question or say one more word, even if it were something unpleasant to hear.
Yin Huo returned to his room and expertly poured the medicine out the back window, now so practiced that not a single drop spilled on the sill— it was done with perfect steadiness.
