At the winter solstice’s recurrence, the Empress Dowager continued the old Changzhi Court custom of ordering the imperial kitchens to make lamb-and-dumpling soup, then bestowing it to all officials, thus leaving Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan behind to accompany the child Emperor in his evening meal. By happenstance, an attendant came into the palace with a freshly-created cold-dispelling chart.[1] Fu Shen personally taught his little nephew how to draw plum blossoms, and the Dowager was eager for someone to help her look after the kid, so Mister Yan had no choice but to drink a half-bowl of vinegar in the face of their joyful chatter.

Back in the Estate at nightfall, Yan Xiaohan hung their imperially-bestowed cold-dispelling chart up in the study. Right when he dipped his brush and went to dot off the first plum blossom, Fu Shen suddenly turned evil and jumped on him, hanging onto his back. The pounce made Sir Yan’s hand jolt, his drawing going askew.