As night fell, Song Ci was awakened by a faint disturbance.
She sat up, making some noise, and Hong You came in from outside, rubbing her eyes and asked, "Madam, would you like some water?"
"Hmm, what time is it?"
Hong You glanced at the Western clock and said, "Madam, it is already the second quarter of the Yin hour."
Song Ci took the tea that Hong You handed over, sipped it, and looked outside, saying, "There seems to be some commotion outside."
Hong You listened intently for a moment, went outside to listen again, and came back to report, "Madam, there is nothing."
In fact, Song Ci couldn't hear anything anymore either, and said, "Hmm, go back to sleep."
She lay back down, listening to the ticking of the Western clock's hands in the quiet room, and after a long while, fell asleep again.
...
Song Zhiyuan had not returned home and stayed in the palace until the news reached him, and then he headed to the Imperial Study.
