The carriage went directly to the outside of the Eastern Palace. As soon as Ran Yan and Liu Qingsong alighted, temple officials took the box with the autopsy tools and led them inside the palace.
The corridors were winding, and flowers bloomed like a brocade. Yet, the vast Eastern Palace was eerily silent, the atmosphere oppressively somber, as though even the chirping of cicadas and birds were cautious and restrained here.
The temple officials' footsteps were light, and Ran Yan and Liu Qingsong had to tread softly as well.
By the entrance of the side hall, Ran Yan glanced and saw Li Shimin sitting inside the pavilion. The temple officials stopped, and Ran Yan and Liu Qingsong approached to salute.
"This concubine pays respects to the Emperor."
"This official pays respects to the Emperor."
