Luo Residence, southern Capital City
Ever since Luo Pei had been imprisoned, the residence of a distinguished Third Rank official had gone from fairly lively to so deserted that sparrows could gather at its gates.
When Jian Qu arrived in an ox cart, its entrance was the bleakest and quietest on the entire street. Even the stone lions flanking the gate were coated in dust, clear evidence that no one in the residence had the heart to tend to them.
Remembering how glorious Luo Pei, the imperial commissioner he knew, had once been, and then recalling the shock of the scene he had witnessed on the riverbank that day, Jian Qu stood there with mixed feelings for a moment before climbing the steps and knocking.
Only after quite some time did footsteps approach from within.
"Who is it? Our young master has not returned yet and cannot receive visitors!" a voice called from behind the gate. It belonged to a young servant and sounded rather timid.
Jian Qu sighed inwardly. He knew that in the six months since Luo Pei's imprisonment, the stewards and managers with any standing or money had already left. Only lowly servants with nowhere else to go remained. He answered calmly, "I am Jian Qu, a clerk of the Duke of Dai's Residence. My lord has sent me to pay a visit to your mistress."
"The Duke of Dai's Residence?" The person inside hesitated. "Please wait a moment, sir. I will inform the mistress at once!"
Footsteps hurried away.
Jian Qu waited outside for only a short while before footsteps sounded again. This time they were somewhat disorderly, belonging to at least three people.
With a creak, the gate opened. An older woman emerged with several maids and serving women to welcome him personally. Such courtesy