Duke Shenxiu's Residence, Duchess Fu's pavilion.
Duchess Fu stood by the flower vase trimming the leaves when her eldest son Nie Zihan ran in
"Mother! where are you mother!" he called as he walked through her room to the balcony facing the small garden that separated the duchess's pavilion from the duke's pavilion.
"There you are mother, I did not expect you to be out here", he said leaning by the wall.
"I stepped out to get some fresh air. What is it", Duchess Fu replied without looking up".
"Mother, I just spoke with my old classmate at the Imperial academy. He informed me that Nie Shaoqing got himself into a mess mother."
Duchess Fu paused eyes opened wide as she looked up from the plant. Her hands holding the garden shear shook, she carefully dropped the shears beside the vase.