Inner hall, side chamber.
Unlike the solemn grandeur of the Inspectorate's main hall outside, the furnishings of this side chamber were far gentler.
An elegant carpet patterned with clouds covered the floor. Ink paintings of landscapes and spirit birds hung on the walls, while several fragrant spiritual plants rested on a rosewood stand in the corner. Sunlight streamed in through the carved window lattice, making the room feel exceptionally warm.
Rather than a place for interrogating criminals, it looked more like the private study of some great immortal official.
And in truth, that was exactly what it was!
This was the study of the Inspectorate's Celestial God of Punishment. Because certain special circumstances needed to be personally verified with the master of Lin Manor—that was, Lin Daiyu herself—and because Lin Daiyu was not a criminal, she had naturally been brought here.
"..."
At this moment, Lin Daiyu sat quietly in the guest seat.
Today, she wore an elegant moon-white ruqun beneath a light crimson outer robe. Her glossy black hair had been simply gathered into a bun, secured at an angle with a white jade magnolia hairpin. She wore no other jewelry.
The outfit was plain yet bright, refined without lacking dignity, and suited both her current status and circumstances.
Since the Celestial God of Punishment who had summoned her had yet to arrive, she merely folded her hands over her knees, maintaining a dignified posture as she waited quietly.
By now, nearly half an hour had passed since she had been brought to this side chamber of the Inspectorate. Yet for some reason, the Celestial God of Punishment still had not appeared. Was he deliberately leaving her alone to observe her reaction, or trying to make her reveal some flaw through the wait?
However, Lin Daiyu did not mind.