Early the next morning, when a knock at the door woke Shen Fei, dawn was only just breaking. The light filtering through the window paper was pale gray and even. The courtyard was quiet, save for the occasional birdcall and the faint sound of sweeping in the distance.
He opened his eyes and lay in bed for two breaths before sitting up, throwing back the covers, and getting out of bed. His outer robe hung on the stand beside the bed. He reached for it, slipped it on, fastened his belt, and walked to the door to pull it open.
The old steward stood outside in a gray cloth robe, his hair neatly combed and his face bearing its usual composure. When Shen Fei opened the door, he bowed slightly and said, "Patriarch, Young Master Nie Li sent someone with a message, inviting you to the City Lord's Mansion."
Shen Fei nodded, his tone level. "Understood. Tell the Second Elder that, starting today, none of our merchant caravans are to leave Glory City. As for when they can resume, we'll discuss that when I return."
The old steward bowed. "Yes, Patriarch." Without asking any questions, he turned and headed back along the covered walkway at an unhurried pace, the hem of his gray robe swaying gently in the morning breeze.
Shen Fei closed the door, returned inside to wash up, and changed into a clean, dark gray martial outfit before hanging his sword at his waist. He glanced at himself in the bronze mirror to make sure his clothes were neat, then pushed open the door and went out.
The courtyard air was crisp and fresh. Dew clung to the leaves of the old locust tree in the corner, and the ground was damp, the weeds in the cracks between