Ye Jingtang stepped down from the carriage, opened his oil-paper umbrella, and looked up at the street.
The area around Zhuji Street was residential, home mostly to wealthy merchants, retired minor officials, and other people of middling means. The streets were very tidy. Beyond them stood the outlines of residences with white walls and gray-green tiles, with willow and osmanthus branches peeking out.
At that moment, quite a few townspeople had gathered at the entrance to an alley. There were scholars and gentlemen, holding umbrellas and whispering among themselves:
"How did Old Zhao die?"
"I heard he was murdered. Robbery, probably."
"No sons or daughters, and then a calamity like this in his old age. What a... huh? Who's coming?"
Hearing the carriage, the crowd turned to look. Shock crossed their faces, and they hurried to the roadside, bowing their heads in greeting.
Ye Jingtang held the umbrella over Dongfang Liren, who wore a silver python robe, and raised a hand to gesture.
"..."
For some reason, whenever Dongfang Liren saw Ye Jingtang, she recalled the "new knowledge" she had just seen and felt thoroughly awkward. Looking straight ahead, she led her people toward the alley entrance.
Ye Jingtang accompanied her at her side, watching for every rustle of wind and grass around them. Upon reaching the alley entrance, he could see four constables standing outside a residence deep in Bluestone Lane.
The offices of the Three Judicial Offices, commonly called the "Six Fan Gate," were the official judicial authorities. Their uniforms were identical to those of the Black Bureau, the only difference being the character for "constable" embroidered on the officers' chests. The Black Bureau's constables counted as "volunteer officers," and their clothes bore no decoration.
When the officers outside the residence noticed Prince Jing approaching, one went inside