The next day, renowned families from nearby towns and cities rode into North Pine, carriages gleaming and banners snapping in the late summer wind. The little town felt twice its size. Hawkers set up extra stalls at the crossroads. Bakers tripled their bread. Children craned their necks to watch lines of riders in lacquered leather pass beneath the gate.
The soldiers stationed in town linked up with the estate guards and a squad of Ning hou
The women giggled, stealing glances at one another, at him, at the ring on his finger as if it revealed something about the future.
Jiang Ning lingered a little longer, then moved on. William stood at the edge of a column of guests, a few of the orphanage children clustered behind him like little sparrows. The retired knight's posture was still straight enough to hang a sword on.
"Sir William." Jiang Ning reached out, and the old man clasped his hand.
