Late at night, a deep silence pervaded.
Everyone in the courtyard was asleep, except for the old woman on watch duty at the door, dozing off beside the brazier in silence.
Since Bai Su returned to the palace, the maids on night duty outside had been dismissed by Wang Yongzhu, leaving a few maids resting in the side room.
Wang Yongzhu was suddenly awakened from her sleep by a gentle tapping on the window.
She sat up abruptly and asked in a low voice, "Who is it?"
A voice, pressed very low: "Madam, it's your subordinate, Shadow Seven."
Wang Yongzhu quickly got dressed, wrapped herself tightly in a cloak, and opened the window. Shadow Seven slipped in and knelt on the ground: "Subordinate Shadow Seven pays respects to Madam."
Wang Yongzhu nodded, poured two cups of warm tea, and handed one to Shadow Seven: "Get up and speak, do you have any leads?"
