Chen Ji sat quietly, waiting for dawn, until the sound of a rooster crowing echoed.
The Chen family on Fuyou Street bustled with activity; maids carried copper basins through the corridor, drivers groomed manes in front of the stables, and the sound of water and whispers dampened the blue stone slabs.
Chen Ji finally awaited this moment.
He stood up, smoothed the creases in his large red official uniform, and instructed Wu Yun, "You stay home and rest. Whether the princess can be rescued will be decided today."
Wu Yun meowed, "Good luck with swift results!"
Chen Ji laughed and said, "That's not how the saying goes; it should be 'victory upon setting out.'"
Wu Yun dismissively added, "Then achieve no victory upon setting out, and use swift results!"
Chen Ji patted Wu Yun's head, "Makes sense, I'm off."
He didn't call for a horse or take a carriage, choosing to walk alone into the gradually brightening streets.
