The next day, a blazing sun rose on the horizon, and Cloud Peace City regained its usual tranquility beneath clear skies after the rain.
In the Pei Family residence, the maids attended to their duties. Zhe Yunli, who had risen early, stood beside the lotus pond, slowly practicing the Health-Nourishing Fist with her master's wife; Third Madam had taken a maid out first thing that morning to busy herself with purchasing a new residence near the Pei Family estate.
At the entrance to Skywater Bridge Street, a black horse emerged from the bustling streets and galloped toward Jade Resonance Tower in the Eastern District.
Ye Jingtang rode the horse, dressed in an exquisitely made black official robe, a belt inlaid with white jade around his waist, a silver crown binding his hair, and tall boots on his feet. He was impeccably turned out from head to toe.
The big, snowy-white Niao Niao had been dragged out of bed early and was still half asleep, dozing on his shoulder. Unlike usual, it wore a little black scarf around its neck, embroidered with gleaming patterns to proclaim its special status as an "official bird."
Silly had sent someone to deliver the robe early that morning. It was the official robe of the Deputy Commander of the Black Bureau. However, the Black Bureau fell outside the structure of the six ministries, so this was an inner-court post, making him a close official of the Son of Heaven-rounding things off, roughly equivalent to the deputy chief of the Eastern Depot.
Since Niao Niao had also rendered distinguished service, Dongfang Liren had specially had a little outfit tailored for it. It looked like a scarf, but tied around Niao Niao, it looked every bit like a little black bellyband.
Although Dongfang Liren had been thoughtful,