Madam Go paced back and forth in the entryway as she waited for her boys to return from the training yard. It had been frightening to have San Jin away over night after the mysterious call to the palace. Me Yan had been out of sorts all morning until she finally relented and sent him along to the training yard.

As a result, she was on her own when the news started coming in about the deaths among the wedding guests. The most shocking among those being San Jin's former classmate Hwan Ja-Kyung. She was a little consoled when Professor Yip came by to explain her eldest's role in saving Knight-Master Lie from a similar fate. She just didn't know how she might break the other news to her sons. It was not something she wanted to face on her own but she fully expected her husband would be tied up in emergency meetings at the palace.

When Minister Go arrived home ahead of their boys she fell into his arms. He stroked her back and waited for her to be ready to talk. "I am so afraid," she admitted. "It could have easily been any one of us. Ja-Kyung was so young and healthy. It doesn't seem right."

"It isn't right," he said letting some of his own fear and anger show as he guided her to a padded bench. The held hands as the waited for their sons to return. When the boys spotted their parents waiting together, they knew the news could not be good.

"The first thing I want to say to San Jin is just how very proud we are of you. Professor Yip came by to tell me what an amazing feat it was battle the poison once it was in Knight-Master Lie's system."

"He's still alright, isn't he? They would have said something at the yard if he wasn't." Me Yan interrupted.

"Yes. He should make a full recovery. Even more importantly, the procedure gave the healers something to work with so they may be able to save some of the others who were struck down." His father gestured for him to calm down.

"Who didn't make it?" San Jin knew this had to be what they were trying to build up to so tried to brace himself.

"I'm sorry. We got word that Hwan Ja-Kyung passed in the early morning." His mother held out her arms to him but San Jin just collapsed into a ball at her feet and rocked back and forth saying "no, no, no." Me Yan knelt beside his brother, rubbing his hand up and down San Jin's back.

"He drank my wine, you know, at the wedding. Drank it all and took the dessert plate while he was at it. And I was annoyed because he always did things like that. He seemed so childish and I have been avoiding him for weeks. And now, now." San Jin wiped his eyes with his sleeve and turned away.

"With what you just said, it is possible he may have even saved your life." Me Yan whispered.

"Do you think I don't know that?" San Jin hissed.

"We can't know for sure. There so many possibilities but I am sorry. I don't want you thinking you are somehow responsible. And don't forget the good you did last night. I never thought your graduation gift would turn to into something so useful." His father's steady voice seemed to get through to San Jin and he nodded.

"Yeah, Junseo and Il-don were amazing. The whole scene was surreal. Especially when the healers started whispering about dragon mists."

"Did you say dragon mists?" his mother croaked and gave her husband a serious look. He just raised one eyebrow then cleared his throat.

"Don't tell me you are into old mythology. Come on. Junseo insisting the dragon-mother saved us is bad enough." San Jin shook his head.

"It was probably just a metaphor for a craft secret he didn't want bandied about." Minister Go said with more confidence than he felt. He had seen the King's silvery scars and did not doubt the story that went with them since there was nothing at all fanciful about the elder Lie.

"Probably," San Jin agreed but then excused himself to compose a letter of condolence for the Hwan family. His mother brought her special stationary to him a little later and listened to the many different versions he had to draft before he felt he got the sentiment right.

At the palace Wen-Hou had a different problem on his hands as he awkwardly patted Linyan's back while she wept on his shoulder. He murmured assurances to her but caste a pleading look to his sister.

She got his hint and said, "Now, now Linyan. Don't over do it. Your uncle says he is fine."

Linyan sniffled so Wen-Hou passed her a handkerchief and guided her to a chair.

"I know this has all been upsetting but I don't know why you are here instead of on your honeymoon." Wen-Hou braced himself for more weeping but the girl pulled herself together.

"I told Dae-Hyun it would be unseemly for us to run off on a holiday when our wedding banquet was the source of such misery. Madame Choi agreed but I am afraid my husband is angry because it is not easy for him to arrange to take a break."

"It would be better for you to start your married life away from all these shadows. Why don't you go down to my estate for a week or two? It is someplace new but not so ostentatious as to seem uncaring. The Choi family can send some guards with you. Let me write the invitation." Wen-Hou went over to his desk and took out some paper.

"How could we go with you still recovering? Are you sure you are all right?" Linyan gave him a brave smile.

"I am in the care of the most excellent court physicians. Not to mention visits from the head of the Royal Medical Academy." Wen-Hou's annoyance at the intrusions from the medical team was another sign of his rapid recovery.

"You are certainly being well guarded," his sister observed.

"Our cousin is unhappy and that is another reason I think the young people should use my estate. It will tell everyone that I do not blame them and that I accept the match without reservations."

"You mean it?" his sister gave him a hard look.

"It is what I want the world to see." Wen-Hou's reply was a bit of a dodge but his sister knew better than to pursue it.

Earlier the Dowager had pointed out to the new bride and her worried mother the poisonings at the banquet were meant to damage the Choi's reputation as much as attack different targets. She refused to speculate about who might have such motives.

"No doubt there will have been innocents caught in this vile plot but it also feels like revenge. I wonder if the investigators have found any links between the victims and the Choi family. Of course, I mean other than them being close enough to be invited to the banquet." After planting this seed, the Dowager changed topics and recommended a dress-maker for Linyan.

"Don't let your gift silks stay hidden away. Enjoy them now," She advised sternly.

Linyan found the conversation a bit bewildering so, just as the Dowager had intended, shared it with her uncle.

"She is right. Now you should bloom my little flower." Wen Hou smiled gently before sending the women on their way.

After they left, he asked his butler to find the names of everyone who had been poisoned. The protocol office had given him a copy of the guest list for the banquet in advance of the event. He worked through the list marking those whom he was not sure had turned up.

He did not know any of the servants but assumed the investigators would be eager to target one of them. It would be most convenient if the supposed poisoner was to be found among the dead servants. Wen-Hou was almost willing to bet that would be the preliminary finding. If so, he planned to add the names of the investigators to his list of suspects.

He liked to pace when he was thinking through a problem but his apartment was too constraining. He asked the guards if they could accompany him on a walk. They did not agree at first.

"What if we stay within the eastern court? Just take a turn around the practice yard and then come back. Surely that will be safe enough." Wen-Hou didn't like begging but he was desperate to get out. He could feel there was an important idea hovering just out of reach.