Though spring had arrived, the nights were still chilly. This year's Flower Festival saw only buds, with few flowers in full bloom.
The days grew warmer after the imperial selection, but a chill crept in at night, requiring an extra padded garment.
The palace gates had long been locked for the night, but the city outside was just coming alive.
The Ministry of Justice was ablaze with light. Left Imperial Censor Han Zhengchun's brow was deeply furrowed, his solemn face etched with the tension of a man treading on thin ice.
"Is the information reliable?"
"I'm seventy to eighty percent certain it is."
A man stood before him in the main hall, covered in dust. He had traveled through the night to reach the Capital City with vital intelligence, not even stopping to wash before rushing straight to the Ministry of Justice.
Han Zhengchun's expression was grim, and a chill ran down his spine.
