The people waiting outside realized they couldn't enter after all and were indeed a bit displeased, but since Zhen Shu came out to personally explain, there wasn't much they could do even if they were unhappy.
Some left right away because they were impatient, while those with a heavy curiosity lingered nearby looking for distractions, planning to return after an hour.
After persuading the people outside, Zhen Shu had someone close the door. Soon, an attendant took up a black cloth and draped it over the windows, plunging the house into complete darkness.
The people sitting inside the room were somewhat perplexed and started whispering to each other, feeling this was all rather novel—what sort of affair required such darkness? Zang Lin was particularly curious, observing the scene intently.
He had long noticed that everyone was facing a blank wall, which looked strange no matter how one saw it.
