The curfew in Lingzhou City begins at the second watch, which is 9 PM.
Once the curfew begins, no one is allowed to leave their residence except for soldiers on night watch or patrol, not even within the wards. Anyone caught doing so will be immediately imprisoned.
In fact, at the first watch, three of the four gates of each ward are already closed. When the curfew begins, the last gate will also be closed. Unless it is an emergency, the gate cannot be opened. If you are not back before the second watch closes, you will not even be able to enter the ward, which basically means you will have to sleep on the streets that night. Sleeping on the streets means you have violated the curfew and will be arrested.
In short, the control is very strict.
At least on the surface, no matter
