Dusk fell, and the autumn wind held a murderous chill.
Outside the Chengtian Gate, four corpses were hung from the city walls, exposed to the elements, their deaths gruesome.
An ancient carriage came clip-clopping up to the palace wall.
"The Emperor summons!"
A figure in a deep crimson official robe descended from the carriage, looked up at the bodies on the wall, took a breath, tightened his expression, and assumed a solemn demeanor.
The Imperial Guards at the gate today were filled with a sense of murder. They kept stern faces and said nothing, stepping aside to let him pass.
The visitor strode into the depths of the city gate's palace walls, passed through the Chengtian Gate, along the way seeing palace staff walking pressed against the wall, heads lowered, taking small soundless steps, exuding an air of oppression.
Outside Xuanwu Gate, a duty-bound eunuch was already waiting, and upon seeing the visitor, hurried over.
