Emperor Taizong had given strict orders that the matter should not be mentioned and investigations should be made in secret. At that, Detective Po and Physician Murong bowed respectfully and took their leave.
Thereupon, the slim black figure crept slowly and stealthily from behind the folding screens, walking with long unnatural strides towards the shining mahogany desk. He had a face but at the same time appeared faceless.
The Emperor had just opened a drawer, saying: "Royal Mother has been a little under the wind those past weeks— well, has been facing a hurricane. She has more and more headaches and sleepless nights. She is even disillusioned at times, and behaves rather erratically. This news will be too much for her to bear. She might have another psychotic episode."
"Yes, she certainly will," agreed the man clad in black cloth.
