Don't answer gentleman callers in your rooms
Xi Zirui opens the window of his bedroom on the palace's second floor, overlooking the still waters of the lake bellow.
At first, looking out the window doesn't reveal anything, but when he braces his hands on the windowsill and looks down, he sees Han Yu clinging to the wooden railing along the wall.
Xi Zirui smirks and leans his elbows on the sill, supporting his cheek on his open palm. "How the tables have turned."
Han Yu lets out an amused chuckle, and hoists himself up by the arms until his upper body is balanced on the windowsill next to Xi Zirui's, in an impressive display of strength.
"Fate likes to play tricks with me, I've found," he says, laying his head on his crossed arms and looking up at Xi Zirui.
He doesn't even know the half of it. Xi Zirui can't help smiling fondly down at him.
"I was wondering if young master would invite me into his room," Han Yu asks, a rueful smirk curling on his lips.