บท 118: A game of smoke and shadows 2

The Imperial Palace, Emperor Zhong's palace

it was a moonless night in the capital, which meant that it was a lot darker than usual that night. The Palace servants lit up lamps to brighten up the entire palace. Standing lamps were placed from the entrance of the Emperor Purple hall to the Emperor's Imperial study.

Emperor Zhong was going through the reports when Caihong came in a reported that the Imperial Secretary had submitted a report from Ningzhuo. The mood of the previously exhausted Emperor rose at the mention of a report from Ningzhuo. He had been expecting this report for weeks, he had even instructed the Imperial Secretary to submit each report from Ningzhuo to him as soon as it arrived.

Caihong presented the letter sachet containing the report to Emperor Zhong, Who took it from his hand. "The Imperial secretary Yang has worked hard, send down a reward", Emperor Zhong said and waved him away.