The next day.
The rain had stopped, and the dark clouds gradually dispersed.
Mist hung hazily in the air as dawn's rosy light spread out, illuminating Shu Prefecture City.
From above, one would have seen a scene of peace and prosperity.
From the outskirts inward.
The families living in more remote areas had risen early and briskly set their homes in order.
Sweeping, washing clothes, lighting fires to cook.
Before long, smoke from cooking fires curled up from every household.
Some carried the rich aroma of meat, some sent spicy scents drifting afar, while others showed only swirling smoke, with no fragrance reaching the nose.
After breakfast, most families rested briefly in their courtyards.
A few carried baskets out the door, or brought along a handful of broad beans as they wandered the streets and alleys, chatting about neighborhood gossip.
Such as which family had borne a chubby baby boy, or which family's little girl had been born with the makings of a beauty, certain to have countless suitors come to the door in the future.
Whenever they spoke of a family of similar standing producing a promising scholar, they were all filled with envy.
Even if someone brought up yesterday's events—the Shu Prefecture Education Minister being assassinated—they mostly only offered guesses.
Some thought Ma Shuhan must have offended Xu Jitong of the Shu Prefecture Surveillance Department for some unknown reason, leading Xu Jitong to behead him with a single stroke.
There was inevitably some regret in their voices, saying it was a pity that such an important figure had died so inexplicably.
Others believed that the man surnamed ma deserved his punishment; otherwise, the Surveillance Commissioner's Office would never have taken him away.
These commoners living farther from Zhennan Street naturally could not argue their way to any conclusion.