The horses came to a sharp halt near the gates, and the night air tightened with tension. When the imperial guards appeared in full formation, armored and stern-faced beneath the torchlight, the quiet order at the city gates instantly dissolved into murmurs.
"What's happening?"
"Why are the imperial guards here at this hour?"
"Did something happen in the palace?"
"What's going on?"
Whispers spread like wildfire through the waiting crowd. The commoners clutched their bundles tighter, unease flickering across their faces.
Even the merchants standing beside their decorated carriages exchanged nervous glances. One official carriage bearing a minor insignia shifted slightly as the driver craned his neck, trying to see what had caused such a sudden commotion.
No one knew what was going on. But everyone understood one thing: when imperial guards moved at night, it was never for something trivial.
