Su Wan knelt on the bluestone floor of the council hall, shards of porcelain digging bloody marks into her palms.
The hundred-year-old Purple Spirit Mushroom in front of the hall lay smashed to pieces, its thick medicinal juice trickling down the hem of Su Yao's pale yellow skirt.
“Why ruin a precious herb just to vent your anger, Sister?” Su Yao dabbed at her tears with a bloodstained handkerchief. Wrapped around her wrist was the Beast-Attracting Incense that had just been “found” in Su Wan's room. “You knew an honored guest was coming to collect the mushroom tonight...”
“Last night, at a quarter past two, I saw Miss Wan sneak into the herb garden with my own eyes.” Elder One stroked his goatee, the jade token at his waist flashing with a hidden pattern.
