Chengming Hall.
Emperor Xia, wearing a formal crown atop informal silk robes, sat behind her desk flipping through memorials. Her face was devoid of expression. Though her eyes seemed to scan the documents, her mind was clearly heavy with concerns.
The atmosphere in the hall was heavy and oppressive. All the maids stood with their hands at their sides, daring not even to breathe too loudly.
"Your Majesty, Right Captain Situ requests an audience."
A eunuch carrying a golden lamp suddenly stepped forward to announce him.
A flicker of emotion crossed Emperor Xia's otherwise expressionless face. "Admit him," she said faintly.
"Your Majesty..."
A tall, imposing man in armor was soon led into the hall by several eunuchs. He knelt respectfully on the other side of a beaded screen.
It was Right Captain Situ Ying of the Captain's Mansion.
"What have you found?"
Emperor Xia glanced at him, and the surrounding eunuchs and maids respectfully withdrew.
