Anning, County Yamen.
Zhao Jiu was sleeping soundly in his bed, a warm, fragrant, and soft body in his arms. The stove in the room kept it toasty and warm.
The ground was frozen solid. Who would bother crawling out of bed this early to handle official business?
It was better to just laze the days away.
Suddenly.
BANG!
A knock sounded at the door.
Lord Zhao the County Magistrate furrowed his brow, turned, and buried his head between the twin peaks, ignoring the sound.
However,
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The sound rang out sharply once more.
This made Zhao Jiu shoot up in bed with a dark expression. He threw on his clothes, slipped on his boots, and pulled his sleeves back before cracking the door open. Seeing his old servant, Elder Liang, at the door, he took several deep breaths.
"Old Liang, if it were anyone else, I'd have my blade out by now."
Lord Zhao the County Magistrate's face was sour.
Elder Liang wrung his hands, looking embarrassed.
