Sheng Shuihe was in the study, with only Gongsun Xi there at his service. But as before, he wore the mask called “Crow Slaughter” to cover his face as he did on the sea. The black apparel and the black cloak before were replaced by a white gown with a round collar, in the pattern of the pine, and a white cloak weaved out of white crane’s feathers.

It was already summer. Even though it was cool on the island, a vulnerable girl like Sheng Weiqiao, who hadn’t recovered from ...