The Suzhou Weaving Bureau stood in the northwestern corner of West City, occupying dozens of mu behind high walls and strict security.
By day, carriages and horses converged on the offices in an unending stream. That night, however, the place was unusually quiet.
Xie Lin's carriage stopped at the side entrance, not the main gate.
This was both a rule and a tacit understanding.
The Imperial Silk Bureau's main gate opened for the emperor's messengers, for imperial decrees, and for His Majesty.
A mere prefectural judge of the Subordinate Sixth Rank had no grounds to enter there.
In other words, Xie Lin never left anyone a handle to use against him, especially when dealing with men from the Palace.
Before long, a young servant in blue was waiting inside the gate. Seeing Xie Lin alight, he hurriedly bowed and led the way.
"Lord Xie, Eunuch Li has been waiting in the rear hall for some time."
Xie Lin nodded slightly, stepped over the threshold, and followed the servant down a long passage, around a screen wall, and deeper into the compound.
The Imperial Silk Bureau's layout differed markedly from that of ordinary government offices.
The front courtyard housed the offices, with accounting rooms, storerooms, and document-signing rooms all provided. During the day, people came and went amid a tremendous clamor.
Beyond the second courtyard, however, stood a high wall.
Inside and outside that wall seemed like two separate worlds.
Outside lay the government offices; inside was a private residence.
No outsider could enter without permission. Even subordinate officials of the Imperial Silk Bureau could not take a single step across that forbidden boundary unless authorized.
Xie Lin had visited many times. Each time, he took the same route, entered the same door, and met the same man.
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