What a disaster. I'd meant to nap for a bit and start work at eight, but before I knew it, I'd slept until eleven. The next chapter probably won't be finished until three.
Thud, thud, thud...
A burst of hurried footsteps came from the stairway. Sun Shaozong smacked his lips in the private room of the teahouse, set the memorial in his hand on the table, and rose unhurriedly.
Just as he straightened up, Hu Tai, the chief steward of Prince Zhongxin's residence, lifted the curtain and ducked into the room. He did not even have time for formalities. With a quick cupped-hand salute, he blurted anxiously, "Lord Sun, it's been over two days now, and that thief hasn't made a move! His Highness has asked about it several times already!"
"Chief Steward Hu, please remain calm."
Sun Shaozong gestured for Hu Tai to sit across from him, then personally poured him a cup of strong tea before saying evenly, "If word has not leaked from the Prince's residence, the thief who stole the Night-Shining Pearl will have to act sooner or later."
After a pause, seeing that Hu Tai seemed dissatisfied by his vague response, he added, "The Joseon Deputy Envoy has nearly completed the tribute procedures over the past two days. Even without the news I deliberately spread, I fear they will not remain in the Imperial Capital for many more days."
Only then did Hu Tai's agitation ease somewhat. His deduction regarding the thief's purpose matched Sun Shaozong's: both believed it was certainly connected to the Joseon Delegation.
Now that the Joseon Delegation was about to leave the capital, the thief ought to make some sort of move.
But...
Hu Tai lifted his head and glanced at Sun Shaozong, then pretended to lower it to drink tea,