184, Firelight

The sound of hurried drumming emanated from the East Market Bell Tower, as the evening drums marked the descent into night with eight hundred beats.

Outside Yingxian Building, the setting sun sank behind the city walls, and the crane sculpture, like a sundial, cast a shadow that stretched longer and then vanished.

Chen Ji stood at the door welcoming guests; today, Yingxian Building had but one table of diners reserved for him. Originally, there were over ten banquet tables booked, but when people heard that the newly-promoted spy from the Spy Department, Hai Dongqing, was hosting a victory banquet here, they all canceled their reservations one after another.

Because of this, the whole Baiyi Lane had fallen quiet.

Outside Baiyi Lane, a carriage slowly made its entrance.