At the Zhou residence, Zhulan had finished her breakfast and was covering her mouth and nose with a handkerchief. The former residence of the Zhang family had burned all night and was still burning, filling the skies above the capital with dense smoke. Although the Zhou residence was a bit farther away, the scent was still present.
The steward returned from the street and reported, "Today, there are very few pedestrians in the capital, only a few carriages hurrying along."
Zhulan nodded to indicate that she understood. A great fire had the people of the capital on edge, accustomed as they were to bloodshed year after year, with the ordinary people especially terrified.
Zhulan said to the old maid, "Go to Minister Zhang's house later to check on the children and pass a message to Yao Xin for me, just tell her to keep the mansion doors firmly shut."
The old maid noted it down, "Yes."
