"We leave today," Xin said.
"The treaty was signed twenty minutes ago," Mei said.
"I know."
"The Emperor will want a formal celebration. Presentations. Ceremonies." She was not arguing. She was listing obstacles so they could move past them efficiently. "Shen Bao's people need to see the process completed properly or the three generals use incomplete formalities as justification to—"
"How long do we need to stay for it to be legitimate?"
Mei thought. "Tonight's formal dinner. Tomorrow morning's public announcement from the gate." She looked at him. "We leave tomorrow midday."
"Done."
Master Zhou had said nothing. He was standing at the window looking west with the expression Xin had learned to read as active worry rather than passive concern.
"The fortress," Xin said to him. "Tell
