By the time Emika had learnt of the news of her engagement, Chancellor Pyun—who had earlier on inconspicuously left the Hall of Elegant Gathering—was rushing through the long, columned corridors of the Empress's palace.
Finally, as he rounded the corner leading to the Lotus room, the last room to be checked, he slipped on the polished amboyna wooden floor. Chancellor Pyun stumbled and fell on his backside. But he had barely hit the floor before swiftly picking himself up. He then dashed to the Lotus room, flung the double doors open, and he made a rapid scrutiny of the room which was the Empress's study. She was not there either.
In fact, the Empress was nowhere to be found. The perspiration just poured out. His robe clung to him: under his arms, and in the small of his back. Somehow, agaisnt his will, uneasiness had crept into his mind and his heart was pounding nervously.
