Taking Care of Major Matters

First update. The next two will both be posted after midnight. Those who sleep early needn't wait; it won't be too late to read them tomorrow.

Dare not mention how Princess of Beijing applied the medicine.

Sun Shaozong finished writing his memorial and prepared to strike while the iron was hot, heading to the palace to submit his tablet and request an audience with the Emperor. He wanted to settle the matter of "rewards and compensation" first.

Yet despite hurrying all the way to Xihua Gate, he found only a No-War Sign hanging high above it.

After asking one of the Tiger Brave Army soldiers on duty at the gate, he learned that the Imperial Concubine was unwell. The Emperor had specifically postponed the afternoon's business to attend to his mother at her bedside.

Of course, if there were matters of the utmost urgency, exceptions could still be made and they could be presented directly to the Emperor.

But what Sun Shaozong wished to report today was clearly still far from urgent enough to warrant that.

Left with no alternative, he returned to his carriage and turned back the way he had come.

However, it was already nearing Shen Hour, around four in the afternoon. Even if he returned to the office, he likely would not sit there long before it was time to leave for the day.

So Sun Shaozong did not return to Dali Temple. Instead, he stopped by Zhang An's home along the way.

"Whoa!"

At the Carriage Driver's shouted call, the horses came to a clattering halt outside Zhang An's residence.

Sun Shaozong lifted the curtain and stepped down. Hearing unceasing sobs from inside, he sighed inwardly and was about to enter when two unfamiliar faces emerged from within.

The two men both recognized Sun