The night breeze swept through Shin Gu's courtyard, rustling the prayer flags hanging beneath the old eaves.
The Imperial Guards had searched every room.
Every cabinet.
Every floorboard.
Every hidden compartment.
Nothing.
Not a single forbidden object had been found.
The Emperor stood in silence, his expression unreadable.
Captain Xu lowered his head.
"Your Majesty, the search is complete."
The Emperor gave a slight nod but did not speak.
Just then—
Footsteps echoed from outside the courtyard.
Everyone turned.
A palace maid hurried inside, breathing heavily.
"Your Majesty... Shin Gu has returned."
Before anyone could react, a slim figure in pale robes appeared at the entrance.
Shin Gu stopped the moment she saw the Imperial Guards surrounding her residence.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Then she looked around at the overturned boxes, opened cabinets, and disturbed flower beds.
"...What happened here?"
Silence answered her.
