The letters weren't a surprise to Mingyu, he had already seen a lot of this coming.
North watch: all lanterns according to yesterday's code; no bells rung; river path quiet; one gate captain requests leave for a mother's illness; denied for lack of witness.
The kitchens: honey stores down, candied ginger requisitioned, east corridor brazier oil doubled, a boy in blue dropped a basin and did not spill; the head cook wishes to commend him for running like he meant it.
"The leave request?" Mingyu asked without looking up.
"Captain Hua of the south watch, Majesty," the eunuch said. His mouth did not move much when he spoke; the words seemed to step out without touching his lips. "He sent it before midnight and asked that it be granted without question."
Mingyu's jaw shifted a fraction.
The south watch. The gate that had looked away when a coffin passed?
