At the symbol of Imperial authority displayed before her, the polite smile all but oozes off her face. She licks her lips uncertainly, and stammers out "B..b..but my house is clean, I pay my taxes."<br/><br/>Doji-san steps forwards, attracting her attention. "We have no issue with your house." The<em>yet</em>at the end of the sentence is left unspoken, but it easily drops into the silence. "We wish to speak with Suruko. You will take us to her now."<br/><br/>The madam nods shakily and turns, leading you through the house and upstairs. Doji-san takes the opportunity to speak softly when you have left the main room behind. "Please forgive me if I overstep, but I felt it better our business be discussed in private, rather than where other ears could hear it."