The courtyard was brightly lit.
Zhao Yang's personal maid, Yun'er, went to the princess's bedchamber as usual that night to attend to her. But the moment she opened the door, she found the bed empty—the princess, who should have been resting, had vanished. Yun'er panicked, her mind in chaos. If the princess was missing, she had no idea what to do.
Shen Wei threw on her robe and rose.
Cai Ping opened the door, and a gust of cold wind mixed with rain rushed in, making Shen Wei shiver.
What a heavy downpour, what a frigid night.
The courtyard was in utter disarray, the servants at a loss. Shen Wei cleared her throat and issued calm, sharp orders: "Yun'er, don't panic. Tell me how many servants and guards are in the courtyard."
Yun'er answered hurriedly, "Six guards, two cooks, six maids, plus a gardener and a gatekeeper."
