Before dawn on a knife-thin mountain path above cloud sea, Yan Qi runs the western postal route with the first light just touching the peaks.

Yan Qi remembers her father teaching her the western route while she continues toward the dispatch office.

Inside the dispatch office, clerks process ordinary parcels while Yan Qi approaches the western desk.

Luo Bai receives Yan Qi at the western dispatch desk and presents an unusual assignment.

Yan Qi reads the manifest and realizes the timing is punishingly precise.

Yan Qi studies the exterior marks and notices one tied to her father's old route records.

Yan Qi asks to inspect the contents, but Luo Bai invokes sealed-parcel law.

Yan Qi leaves dispatch and races toward Liangzhou with Parcel One active.

Yan Qi reaches Liangzhou near noon and heads straight for the magistrate's yamen.

Yamen officials try to control the situation, but treaty procedure forces them to admit Yan Qi to the magistrate.

Magistrate Zhao receives Yan Qi in the yamen hall before witnesses.

The receiving ritual verifies the seal and transfers the parcel to Zhao.

Zhao opens the parcel and reveals an exquisite tea-set.

Zhao chooses one cup, and the hidden alchemical flaw activates only when tea is poured.

Yan Qi tries to warn Zhao, but the courier oath stops her from interfering with delivered contents.

Zhao drinks from the poisoned cup and collapses in front of the yamen witnesses.

Yan Qi tries to help, but the oath and officials make clear she cannot counteract the delivered contents.

Magistrate Zhao dies, and the room's fear turns toward Yan Qi.

Yamen bailiffs move to detain Yan Qi, but her treaty protection forces a narrow exit.

At a small relay writing desk, Yan Qi writes a coded warning letter to the inspector general.

Yan Qi sends the warning through another courier and rides toward the second delivery as the remaining parcels pulse in her case.