"Lord Ding, you don't need to know the nature of our investigation. Take us to Qing'er now. No one in this residence may enter or leave, and nothing may be moved," Zhao Feng said.
"Lord Zhao!" Ding Huai sprang to his feet.
"We serve the same court, so I let you in out of courtesy. Don't forget that even as Commandant of the Martial Suppression Bureau, you cannot arrest anyone in a second-rank official's residence without an imperial warrant. Much less restrict the movements of my household."
"Where is your imperial warrant?" Ding Huai asked.
"I don't have one." Zhao Feng shook his head.
"Then how dare you? Aren't you afraid I'll submit a memorial against you and leave you with more trouble than you can swallow?" Ding Huai sneered.
Applying for an imperial warrant would take at least several days. He had ample means to send Qing'er away and settle her somewhere safe.
"But I have this." Zhao Feng took out the imperially bestowed golden token and waved it before Ding Huai.
The moment Ding Huai saw the gleaming words "As Though I Were Present," his expression changed drastically.
"His Majesty actually gave you even this?" he stammered.
"Lord Ding, may we see your concubine Qing'er now?" Zhao Feng asked calmly.
"She lives in the inner quarters. That might be somewhat inconvenient. Why don't I send someone to bring her here?" Ding Huai signaled a nearby servant with his eyes.
Zhao Feng shook his head. "When the Martial Suppression Bureau investigates a case, there is no such thing as 'inconvenient.' Every place must be inspected, including the inner quarters."
Ding Huai's expression shifted, but he dared not defy him. He could only steel himself and lead Zhao Feng into the inner quarters.
The layout of the inner quarters was