By nightfall, the Quiet Pavilion had begun to resemble a livable residence.

The servants had removed most of the weeds, cleaned the main rooms, and repaired the torn window coverings. Nanny Zhang worked in angry silence, her swollen hand wrapped in cloth.

Scarlet

The imperial guards changed formation immediately.

Two blocked the window. One guarded the stairs. The remaining soldiers moved through the medicine room in pairs, their swords drawn.

The captain crouched beside the damaged cabinet and examined the lock.

“This was not

The pursuit carried Scarlett and Luke across half the eastern district.

Ahead of them, the wounded Blood Sect assassin moved rapidly despite the blood soaking through his dark robes. He leaped from one rooftop to another, knocking tiles loose behind him in an att