"Take it to the back courtyard for burning," Auntie Chen instructed. "And bring the new carpet from storage, the ivory one with the lotus pattern."
"Yes, Auntie Chen."
As they carried the ruined carpet out, two younger maids knelt on the floor, scrubbing the wooden boards beneath where the blood had soaked through.
The sharp scent of vinegar and herbs filled the air as they worked to remove every trace of it.
Meanwhile, near the doorway, two guards and a carpenter examined the damaged door frame.
The wood had splintered where the assassins had forced their way in, and the lock hung uselessly from broken hinges.
"This needs a complete replacement," the carpenter muttered, running his hand over the damage. "The frame is cracked all the way through."
"Can you repair it tonight?" one of the guards asked.
The carpenter nodded. "I'll need an hour, or maybe two. But yes, it can be done."He set to work immediately, pulling out his tools and measuring the damaged sections.
