The night deepened, and Lanxin Pavilion fell into a profound silence. The main hall had doused its lamps early, leaving not a sliver of light to be seen. Earlier that afternoon, the Imperial Household Department had delivered some white cloth; Biyun and Mengdong had spent time giving it a simple trim before hanging it by the hall entrance. They dared not hang too much, just two or three strips. With their mistress having just passed away, no one would speak against them for doing this, and even the staff from the Imperial Household Department turned a blind eye. As long as it was not done in too grand a fashion, even the Emperor would not be overly critical.
It was nearly the end of the ninth lunar month, and while the days remained hot, the evening breeze already carried a touch of chill. The white cloth swayed in the wind, resembling a human figure under the moonlight. Suddenly, a slender silhouette darted into the backyard, searching for something in a panic.
"Who’s there!"
Chapter 18