Fu Sheng slipped through the dark corridors of the inner estate like a ghost, his hand resting on the heavy, silver-cornered ledger tucked securely inside his tunic. Every muscle in his body was tense. The echo of the scream he had heard earlier still rang in his ears, driving him forward with urgent speed.
As he turned the corner near the quiet, red-decorated bridal quarters, a shadow suddenly darted out from behind a large ornamental vase.
Fu Sheng's hand instinctively flew to his side, ready to strike, but he stopped himself just in time.
"Fu Sheng!" An Li gasped, her face pale and her eyes wide with frantic urgency. She quickly grabbed his sleeve and pulled him into the deep shadow of a decorative wooden archway.
"An Li," Fu Sheng whispered, his gaze scanning her quickly. "Are you hurt? Where is Wei Meilan?"
