Shen Rui decided that the imperial palace had one redeeming quality. Its kitchen. The moment the palace servants left, he sat at the table and began eating. Steamed buns, braised beef, clear soup, and several delicate pastries had been arranged before him. He stared at the spread with deep appreciation. This is what a civilized place should look like. Whoever prepared this meal deserves a promotion. A young palace servant standing nearby lowered his head, desperately hiding a smile. Shen Rui glanced at him. “Are you not going to leave?” The servant quickly straightened. “This servant has been ordered to attend to Young Master Shen.” “Attend to me?” “Yes. If you need anything, you may instruct me.” Shen Rui picked up another bun. “Then bring me more of these.” The servant blinked. “More?” “Is that difficult?” “No, Young Master.” “Then why are you standing there?” The servant hurried out. Shen Rui nodded with satisfaction. Excellent. He understands efficiency. He continued eating, unaware that the servant had barely reached the corridor before quietly telling another attendant that the seventh son of the marquis was nothing like the rumors suggested. According to the rumors, Shen Rui was useless, arrogant, and incapable of accomplishing anything. Yet the boy had survived an investigation filled with assassins and hidden conspiracies. And now, his greatest concern appeared to be whether the palace kitchen would provide another plate of pastries. After finishing his meal, Shen Rui finally entered the bath chamber. The warm water eased the stiffness in his muscles, and he leaned against the edge of the tub with his eyes closed. For the first time in several days, no one was shouting, attacking, questioning, or dragging him somewhere. This is heaven. He almost fell asleep. Then his assassin instincts stirred. A faint sound came from outside the chamber. A footstep. Shen Rui opened his eyes. The sound was quiet, almost deliberately concealed. He remained still, listening. Another step. Someone was moving outside his room. I knew it. Even bathing isn’t safe. He reached for the robe beside the tub and put it on without making a sound. Then he moved toward the door. The footsteps stopped. Shen Rui waited. A shadow passed beneath the narrow gap. He opened the door abruptly. A young palace attendant stood outside, holding a folded cloth. The attendant startled and immediately bowed. “Young Master Shen!” Shen Rui studied him. “Why were you standing outside?” “This servant was bringing fresh towels.” “You were standing there for a long time.” The attendant lowered his head. “I apologize.” Shen Rui’s eyes swept over him. The attendant’s hands were clean. His clothing was ordinary palace attire. His breathing was slightly uneven, but there was no obvious weapon beneath his robes. Still, Shen Rui did not relax. “Leave the towels and go.” “Yes, Young Master.” The attendant placed them down and hurried away. Shen Rui watched until the man disappeared around the corner. Perhaps I’m becoming paranoid. Or perhaps everyone in this palace is suspicious. Both possibilities are irritating. He closed the door and returned to the room. On the table, beside the remains of his meal, lay a small object he had not noticed earlier. A folded piece of paper. Shen Rui stopped. He had not seen it there before. The paper was plain, without a seal or identifying mark. He did not touch it immediately. Instead, he examined the room. The windows were shut. The door was locked. No one was hiding behind the screens. He approached the table and picked up the paper using two fingers. A short sentence had been written inside. The debt of the northern campaign remains unpaid. Shen Rui’s expression changed. The same words had appeared on the wooden box recovered near the river. He read the sentence again. Someone managed to leave this inside an imperial guest residence. Either the palace security is terrible, or the person who placed it here is very skilled. He turned the paper over. Nothing. No signature. No additional message. Shen Rui carefully folded it and slipped it into his sleeve. I should report this. He paused. No. First, I should determine who has access to this room. If I hand it over immediately, the person who planted it may realize I found it. He walked to the door and called out. A guard entered almost instantly. “Young Master.” “Who entered this room after I arrived?” The guard hesitated. “No one, Young Master. Palace servants delivered your food and prepared the bath.” “List them.” The guard gave him several names. Shen Rui memorized them. “Was anyone assigned to remain outside?” “Two guards.” “Did either of them leave?” “No.” Shen Rui nodded. “Good. You may go.” The guard bowed and exited. Interesting. If the guards are telling the truth, the person entered before I noticed. That means the message was placed while I was eating—or someone has another way in. His gaze shifted toward the ceiling. I really should stop investigating things. Every time I notice something strange, my life becomes more complicated. At the same time, in the imperial study, Xiao Jingyuan reviewed the reports brought by the Black Guard. One report concerned the Marquis of Yong’an’s household. Another concerned the captured assassins. The final report contained information about the palace guest residence. “Your Majesty,” Eunuch Wei said, “the seventh young master has received his meal and entered the bath chamber. There have been no unusual movements.” Xiao Jingyuan lifted his eyes. “Has anyone approached his residence?” “Only palace servants and the assigned guards.” “Anyone else?” “No.” The emperor was silent. He had ordered the boy to remain under protection, but the investigation had already revealed that the enemy possessed considerable reach. If they could place a message inside the convoy’s evidence box, they might also be capable of entering the palace. “Double the guards,” Xiao Jingyuan ordered. “Yes, Your Majesty.” “And investigate every servant assigned to Shen Rui’s residence.” Eunuch Wei bowed. “Should we inform the young master about the danger?” “No.” “Why not?” “Because he is likely to do something reckless if he believes he is being watched.” Eunuch Wei lowered his head. That assessment was not entirely unreasonable. The following morning, Shen Rui woke to the sound of knocking. He opened his eyes. The sky outside was still dark. He stared at the door with profound hatred. No. The knocking continued. “Seventh Young Master, His Majesty has summoned you.” Shen Rui pulled the blanket over his head. The emperor is an enemy of sleep. “Seventh Young Master?” “I’m dead.” There was a pause. Then the servant replied, “This servant will inform His Majesty that you are deceased.” Shen Rui immediately sat up. “Wait!” He rubbed his face and climbed out of bed. These people have no sense of humor. After dressing, he stepped outside and found Eunuch Wei waiting in the corridor. “Good morning, Young Master Shen.” “It is not good.” Eunuch Wei smiled politely. “His Majesty wishes to review the documents recovered from Qinghe Village with you.” “Can I review them after breakfast?” “His Majesty has arranged breakfast in the imperial study.” Shen Rui stopped walking. The emperor has finally learned how to negotiate. He followed Eunuch Wei through the corridor. When they reached the imperial study, Xiao Jingyuan was already seated at the desk. A second table had been arranged nearby, covered with food and tea. Shen Rui’s eyes lingered on it. The emperor noticed. “Sit and eat.” Shen Rui bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” He sat down immediately. Perhaps being summoned to the palace isn’t entirely terrible. Xiao Jingyuan waited until Shen Rui had taken several bites before speaking. “Did anything unusual happen last night?” Shen Rui’s hand paused. He considered the message hidden in his sleeve. Then he looked at the emperor. “Yes.” Xiao Jingyuan’s expression sharpened. “What happened?” Shen Rui swallowed. “Someone left a message in my room.” The room became still. Eunuch Wei looked up. Xiao Jingyuan extended his hand. “Give it to me.” Shen Rui removed the folded paper and placed it on the desk. The emperor opened it. His gaze settled on the sentence. The debt of the northern campaign remains unpaid. For the first time that morning, his expression changed. Only slightly. But Shen Rui noticed. Ah. So the emperor recognizes it. Xiao Jingyuan folded the paper again. “Where did you find this?” “On the table after I finished bathing.” “Did anyone enter the room?” “Several servants delivered food and prepared the bath.” “Did you see who placed it there?” “No.” “Why did you not report it immediately?” Shen Rui picked up another pastry. “Because I wanted to determine whether it was a threat or an attempt to mislead me.” Xiao Jingyuan watched him. “And what have you determined?” “That whoever left it knew I would recognize the words.” The emperor’s gaze grew colder. “Why?” “Because the same sentence appeared on the box found near the river.” Shen Rui leaned back. “Someone wants me to understand that the events in Qinghe Village are connected to the northern campaign.” “And what else?” Shen Rui thought for a moment. “They want me to keep investigating.” Xiao Jingyuan’s eyes narrowed. “Do you intend to?” Shen Rui looked down at his breakfast. “No.” The emperor raised an eyebrow. Shen Rui continued calmly, “I intend to tell Your Majesty everything I discover and then return to my room.” If possible, I would also like to resign from this entire investigation. For a moment, silence filled the study. Then Xiao Jingyuan said, “You will remain in the palace until the matter is resolved.” Shen Rui’s face fell. There goes my peaceful life. The emperor picked up the document concerning the northern campaign. “Now, tell me everything you noticed about the hidden warehouse.” And as Shen Rui began explaining, neither of them noticed the palace servant standing beyond the corridor’s far corner. The servant lowered his head, turned silently, and disappeared into the shadows.

The Guest Residence and the Hidden Letter