At first light the next day, Dorian led the procession, scattering paper money along the route to the burial grounds.
On the road, they encountered a wedding party. The suona horns from both groups played in a dissonant clash.
Dorian looked up and saw a white horse adorned with a large red floral sash, its rider, the groom, beaming with joy as the two processions passed each other.
Dorian stared at the groom in shock. It was Maximilian, the man who had always loved Isabella but never won her heart!
Confusion clouded his mind. Three years ago, when he had married Isabella, Maximilian had left for the frontier and was never heard from again. Why had he suddenly returned to take a bride?
The two processions were quickly heading in opposite directions, disappearing into the distance. He
