Over ten guards infiltrated the grove from both sides, rapidly closing in on the loft.
The people inside the loft noticed the guards, and some panicked. Their arrows scattered, and they seemed prepared to flee. One guard, protecting Liu Pinrang's servant, hurriedly fled toward them. The rest of the guards were busy rescuing the students from the Imperial College.
Ran Yan withdrew her gaze, watching the limping approach of two men. A memory flashed through her mind — under the shade of a tree, Sun Zhen knelt on a mat, his fingers gently rubbing the pattern on the fabric, saying, "I heard that Lady Xianliang is acquainted with Assistant Minister Liu from the Eastern Palace, recently appointed?"
...
Today I learned that Assistant Minister Liu has been missing for days.
...
Does Lady Xianliang know anyone close to him? Servants included?
...
