The Chief Secretary's residence, Huanhua Thatched Cottage.
Li Yan sat beside his desk, frowning at a secret letter he had just written, wondering who would be best to deliver it.
Tap, tap!
Footsteps sounded, and the residence's old steward hurried inside, looking panicked. "My lord, terrible news! Something dreadful has happened...!"
Li Yan glanced at him calmly. "What is it?"
The old steward stepped closer and leaned toward Li Yan's ear, his voice trembling slightly. "...Liu... Liu Ji Shan escaped from the dungeon."
"Huh?!"
Li Yan stared at him in astonishment. "Escaped? How did he manage that? Where is he?"
"He knocked at the usual entrance. A servant informed me, and I've settled him in a side courtyard." The old steward spoke hurriedly. "As for... how he escaped, I don't know either."
"...!"
Li Yan was very surprised. "That old bastard has a few tricks up his sleeve."
"He wants to see you."
"Mm, bring him here." Li Yan considered briefly. "Don't attract anyone else's attention."
"Yes." The old steward hurried away.
"Did he escape on his own, or did someone help him?" Li Yan muttered with his hands behind his back, then walked over to the desk and picked up the secret letter he had written himself.
The letter concerned rescuing Liu Ji Shan, but now that the man had escaped and come to him, there was no need to send it.
Snap!
Li Yan lit the secret letter with a fire striker, burning it until it was almost ash before dropping it into the spittoon.
A short while later, footsteps sounded again. Standing outside the door, the old steward said to the foul-smelling Liu Ji Shan, "The master is inside. Lord Liu, please."
"Hmph!"
Liu Ji Shan snorted sourly, stepped over the threshold, and entered the cottage.
Beside