The night was deep, and the starlight dim.
Perhaps because winter was about to arrive, the skies had been exceptionally foul these past few days. They were gloomy all day long, as though a vast black silk cloth had blotted out the heavens and obscured the sun. At night, neither the moon nor the stars could be seen. If two or three happened to hang in the high sky, that was already a rare sight in the eyes of the people of the imperial capital.
After Tao Hong and Liu Lü had served Xiao Xin and put her to bed, the two exchanged a glance, closed the door, and turned to leave.
Without saying a word, they returned to their own room to fetch cloaks against the cold. Then the two headed together toward the rear courtyard gate.
"Why are you going out so late?" the guard at the gate called out. Tao Hong and Liu Lü were Cui Xiaoxin's senior maids, so their status was naturally high. Moreover, she often came and went through this gate, and everyone knew her well.
"Miss is eager to read the new Chronicle of the God of Food from the Golden Stone Workshop. She sent Liu Lü and me to buy it. Otherwise, Miss says she won't be able to sleep tonight."
"Our miss certainly loves to read." Guard Captain Cui Run chuckled. "But it's so late. Is the Golden Stone Workshop still open?"
"It should be. Fortunately, it's right in the city, and it isn't far. We'll run over and take a look. If Miss loses sleep all night, that would be a serious matter." Liu Lü cut in.
"Right, right. Hurry along, then, and don't be late. If you wait until the shop closes, you won't be able to buy it."