The seal on the document case changed everything.
Song Jia stood several steps away while the Imperial investigators recorded its position, condition and markings.
No one touched it unnecessarily.
No one opened it immediately.
For once—
everyone had learned patience.
Ding Shun stared at the faded seal.
"Special Preservation Office."
He repeated the words slowly.
"I've never heard of it."
"You shouldn't have." Song Jia replied.
His gaze moved toward her.
"Why?"
"It was dissolved more than a century ago."
Silence.
Sun Xun looked down at the unconscious man beside the case.
"Then either someone preserved the seal..."
"...or preserved more than the seal." Jia finished.
Ding Wu's expression darkened.
"What does that have to do with Yimu?"
"We don't know yet."
He opened his mouth.
Then stopped himself.
Song Jia noticed.
Progress.
Small progress.
The Chief Investigator approached.
"Miss Song."
"Yes?"
"We've confirmed the unconscious man's identity."
