Before dawn, Shen Hao was already waiting in the tea room of the Jingxi Town Governor's Office. Because he was a familiar face, the back door of the Governor's Office was opened for him ahead of the Upper Emissary's hours. The Imperial City had snowed again last night, colder than usual, and the tea room was much warmer.
Originally, Shen Hao intended to head straight to Jiang Cheng's residence in the middle of the night, but then he thought it might not be appropriate. Though the matter was urgent, it was not pressing enough to disturb his superior's rest. Thus, he turned back to wait at the Governor's Office.
Because he had arrived too early, the steward even specially brought Shen Hao a few cakes as breakfast. But there was no idle chatter; after a word or two of greeting, he withdrew, for Shen Hao's face was too cold, and the steward did not dare attempt to get close.
