Chief Steward Zhang offered a perfunctory salute. The moment the other man was gone, his smile vanished. 'That bloodhound,' he cursed internally. 'He can sniff out anything.'
He composed himself. After thinking it over, he decided the matter had to be reported.
He ascended the steps and entered the side hall. A quick scan of the room told him Meng Jiuchang wasn't there, which meant he must be attending the Emperor. He waved over a eunuch and instructed, "Go and ask Manager Meng if His Majesty has a moment to see me. I have something to report."
"Yes." The little eunuch nodded and hurried out.
'The court has its own etiquette,' he thought. 'The day I finally replace Meng Jiuchang at His Majesty's side, I won't have to jump through so many hoops.'
The little eunuch returned quickly. After a bow, he said, "Chief Steward Zhang, His Majesty is occupied at the moment. Manager Meng says that you are to wait here."
What else could Zhang Maoquan do but wait?
