The heavy brass doors slammed open against the marble walls, echoing like a thunderclap through the Central Heavenly Bond Exchange.
Minister Qian Wansan froze with his jade pipe midway to his mouth.
The two hundred royal executioners turned their heads, their heavy cleavers gleaming in the lantern light. Down on the polished stone floor, the thirty merchant guild masters raised their tear-streaked faces, blinking in shock.
Through the doorway strode three figures.
At the front walked Su Wan, dressed in a sharp, pitch-black silk business suit. A diamond brooch shaped like an open ledger gleamed at her lapel. Behind her walked Xiao Bai in a crisp white executive coat, holding an abacus made of pure lightning-jade. Beside them was Little Peach, carrying an enormous spatial document case bound in red velvet.
The air in the trading hall seemed to drop five degrees.
“Who gave you permission to interrupt an imperial transaction?” Minister Qian shouted, standing up from his velvet couch on the balcony. “Guards! Clear these women out of the exchange!”
Ten royal executioners stepped forward, raising their cleavers.
