"Zhang Kui?" Ning Chen narrowed his eyes. "Where is he?"

The manager said, "He's off this afternoon. He said a matchmaker had found him a wife and he had to go and take a look at her."

"The lad's no youngster anymore and it's time he married... so this small man gave him the half day."

Ning Chen's eyes flickered. "Does this Zhang Kui have any particular habits? Gambling, say, or the pleasure quarter?"

The manager said hurriedly, "My lord has hit it exactly. Whatever this one earns in a month goes either on the tables or on the girls at a pleasure house."

Ning Chen took a sip of tea. "Do you know which gambling house he likes? Or which pleasure house?"

The manager shook his head. "That this small man does not know... But I have heard the other hands in the place say he likes the Yingchun Pavilion. The girls are cheap there."

Ning Chen made a sound of assent. "Does anyone in the place know where Zhang Kui lives?"

"Yes!"

Ning Chen nodded. "And do you know which cook made my food today?"

The manager said hurriedly, "Cook Li. He is an old hand at our place. We could hardly put a new man on Ning the Silver Coat's food."

Ning Chen turned his head to Gao Ziping. "Old Gao, go to Zhang Kui's house... If there's nobody home, try the gambling houses nearby."

Gao Ziping nodded. "Right."

"Old Chen, would you check on this Cook Li with the manager... And remember, don't beat the grass and startle the snake."

Chen Chong made a sound of assent.

Ning Chen looked at the manager. "What I have asked you today and what has happened — let all of it rot in your belly... One word of it gets out and the Inspectorate's prison will be your home from then on."

The manager went white with fright. "My lord may rest easy. This small man knows nothing at all, and I guarantee not one word will go out of me."

Ning Chen inclined his head slightly. "Go on,…