Peaceful Alley
Shi's Bookshop had closed for the night. Only little whirlwinds spun down the street outside, with not a pedestrian in sight. The courtyard behind it was pitch-black as well, and apart from the occasional bark of a dog nearby, everything was quiet.
Shi Mingda had only returned to his room a short while ago. When he came back from the restaurant, his second uncle had already retired, but the things his uncle had left him to organize had kept him busy for a while longer.
He had drunk some wine at the restaurant, but he could hold his liquor. Even a whole jar of fairly strong wine would not make him drunk. Now, lying on a wooden bed covered with a thin mattress, his mind was even clearer than usual.
For some reason, he could not stop thinking about what he had heard at the restaurant.
I didn't get a chance to tell Second Uncle tonight. Should I tell him first thing tomorrow? But if following this vine to its melon really uncovers a major case, Second Uncle and I might well end up bearing someone's wrath.
This involves Prince Qi and pill refinement. Even if we earn merit, it might be too hot to handle.
He was only a low-ranking member of the Imperial City Office, but working alongside his second uncle had taught him that the emperor had been paying close attention to both Prince Qi and Prince Shu over the past few months.
Only recently, his second uncle had mentioned that pill refinement was no small matter. Now he had heard that Clear Garden Temple had been in contact with Prince Qi's Residence...
Ah, why did it have to involve pill refinement...?
Shi Mingda could not help sighing. He really was in a difficult position.