Everyday, As Always

Mei Garden's warm chamber.

Sun Shaozong lay on his back in bed with his arm beneath his head, staring blankly at the ceiling as he considered his plans for the day.

The case of Dao Yan and his apprentice had essentially concluded yesterday. All that remained was for Chen Jingde to quietly spread the word and cement his image as a "divine detective."

The matters next to be handled were the case involving Lu Mingsi, an Admonishment Official in the Ministry of Revenue, and the case of Wei Ruolan shooting the Eldest Son of the Niu Family.

The former involved the Ministry of Revenue, while the latter was a major case under Imperial Order. Neither seemed fit to be delayed for too long...

Fine. He would investigate Lu Mingsi's case first today. If no leads emerged, he would settle Wei Ruolan's case tomorrow—after all, it was baseless accusations against baseless accusations, entirely dependent on how he, the presiding official, explained things.

Of course, providing an explanation that was both reasonable and convincing would not necessarily be easy.

Creak~

Just as he was thinking, he heard someone push open the door outside.

Before long, Cai Xia entered the inner chamber first, followed by two little maids of fourteen or fifteen. One carried a bucket of well water, while the other held a kettle of boiling water.

"Put them here first."

Cai Xia pointed toward the foot of the bed, then turned and brought in two copper basins and four towels from outside.

Seeing that the two maids still stood there expectantly after setting down the water, she tipped her chin toward the door. "You may both leave. We have no need of your service here for now."

The two little maids were clearly disappointed, but they obediently acknowledged the order and