"Pei Ye, you seemed a little clingy just now," Black Cat said on his shoulder.
Pei Ye shot him a cold sidelong glance.
He wandered aimlessly around the small tower a few times, gradually realizing that this truly was where the late chief minister had spent his days sitting and reclining all those years ago.
The edge of the desk had been worn smooth by his work, and there was a small couch for midday naps, with a curtain hanging over the window beside it to block the light. On the shelves, the books at a convenient height for reaching had all been well thumbed.
After looking around a few times, Pei Ye understood what Xu Chuo had meant by the western bookshelves. These shelves were closest to the desk, and held not only books but also a great many letters, official documents, manuscripts, scrolls, and the like. Clearly, the late chief minister had used them most frequently.
Pei Ye began going through them bit by bit, from left to right and bottom to top. It really was a search without a single lead; there was truly everything in here.
There were reminders he had written to himself: "The soles of my shoes have worn through. Water got in during last night's rain. Remember to buy new ones."
But clearly, he had still forgotten, for a few days later, he had added another line underneath: "Caught in the rain again. Remember to buy new ones."
There were notes to the household servants: "Aunt Qi, on my way back from court last night, I saw loofah selling cheaply opposite Five Clouds Tower. I have something of a craving. Buy some to stir-fry."
Or: "Do not sprinkle water after sweeping the floor of this tower. The books easily get damp." Afterward, he