The embroideresses exchanged bewildered looks.
"I'm looking for them to ask about a few things."
Since Lord Pei had a request, the embroideresses called out to one another and asked around. Yet after a round of inquiries, they all shook their heads. The older woman who led them said, "I've worked here for over twenty years and often go about the different places. I should know most of what goes on in this palace, but I truly haven't heard those names-when were they here?"
"Twenty-four years ago."
"Ah... then I'm afraid they'll be hard to find. Even setting aside aging, illness, and death, Her Majesty the Empress granted the palace servants an amnesty when she ascended the throne. It's hard to find the old hands now."
"I see." Pei Ye nodded. He had not held much hope to begin with. "Then you probably haven't heard of this other person either. He was said to have been Chief Secretary of the Divine Martial Army. His name is Guo You."
"..."
Most of the embroideresses still looked blank, but the older woman froze. "If Lord Pei wishes to find him... he is still here in the workshops."
"Oh?"
After sitting by the entrance to sample the Embroidery Workshop's midday meal, then idling for another two hours or so, Pei Ye finally rose, took up his sword, and said his farewells when he saw the sun beginning to slant westward.
"You'll have to go toward the Music Bureau, though," the female official had said when they spoke of Guo You.
She had meant to send a palace maid to guide him, but seeing how busy they were, Pei Ye declined. As he walked out through the courtyard gate, Black Cat, who had been staying atop the wall to avoid everyone, leaped onto