The old woman heard it too. She warily covered her grandson's mouth, pulled him back into the house, and locked the door tightly.
Amidst the occasional calls of night crows, the entire alley burst into sudden light. Someone, driven by excessive curiosity, ran out to see but was innocently caught under the hoofs of horses, having their intestines trampled out. Their terrified screams mingled with a heavy scent of blood, marking the beginning of the night.
Imperial Palace.
Emperor Ying once again woke up from midnight, his heart in his chest pounding against his ribs as if mad.
——Thump thump
——Thump thump
Each thud accompanied by a throbbing temple. Cold sweat drenched him, and his sleeping garment clung to his body, sticky and ice-cold.
Emperor Ying unconsciously clenched the bedding into a ball in his palm.
"Someone come."
Inside the hall, only a dim night lamp was lit.
The view through the veil was unclear.
Yet one could vaguely see a silhouette not far away.
