Because the imperial court did not allow consummation, that night they still slept as before, with Fu Shen in the bedroom and Yan Xiaohan in the side room. This reversed host-guest relationship had become a convention at some point, and everyone in the Yan residence was accustomed to it. Even though today their status was officially established, Fu Shen could only be considered properly settled.”
Early the next morning, before the two masters of the Yan residence had awakened, someone knocked heavily on the door. Yu Qiaoting stood outside, looking grave: “Apologies for the interruption. I have urgent matters that require an immediate meeting with the Marquis.”
The housekeeper asked him to wait in the flower hall. Soon, Yan Xiaohan pushed Fu Shen out from the inner room. Both looked well, clearly having not been wild the previous night. Normally, Yu Qiaoting would have teased them, but today, before Fu Shen could ask “Have you eaten?”, he spoke to Yan Xiaohan: “Marquis, I have some critical military intelligence to discuss with the General.”
Yan Xiaohan, understanding the situation, said “Excuse me” and left to prepare breakfast.
However, just today, Mu Boxiu’s headless corpse was found in a dry well in a village on the outskirts of the capital. A missing person case and a murder case involving a court official are by no means comparable. Yan Xiaohan asked: “Has the head been found?” The scout replied: “Not yet. The local authorities have sealed off the entire village and are searching with all their might.” Yan Xiaohan: “Go check the files from Shuntian Prefecture and dig into his ancestors. I will immediately enter the palace. Have Jiang Shu bring two people to keep an eye on the village, without revealing their identity, and investigate secretly. This involves the Southern Yamen, and His Majesty may not want the Flying Dragon Guard to intervene.”
