The bells of the Temple of Bonds rang seven times at dawn. The sound traveled across rooftops and courtyards, passing through the walls like an ancient echo. It announced that seven days remained until the imperial wedding.
The rumor spread like fire in a dry forest. In the streets, merchants decorated their stalls with intertwined dragons and cranes. In the temples, monks wove prayers with threads of incense, repeating verses that spoke of the union between the dragon and the crane.
But within the court walls... not everything was celebration.
The Renxia House was the first to speak. Old counselor Zhi Yu, with his soft voice but cutting gaze, let his words fall like blades:
"A young consort who has never served in battle. How will he represent stability?"
"Stability doesn't always arise from war," replied a voice from the Yueji House, though without much conviction.
