The twenty-first day of the second month, thirteenth year of Jianhong. Light rain.
In the Imperial Study.
Emperor Jianhong stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the pattering raindrops outside. The endless barrage of water droplets fell like stars plummeting onto a jade plate, producing a continuous TINKLE TINKLE sound, much like a Maid striking a Chime Bell, lingering endlessly in the ear.
He stared ahead expressionlessly. Before long, a figure appeared in his line of sight.
On a small path far from the Imperial Study, a figure in white moved with effortless grace. His toes lightly tapped the ground, splashing up faint traces of water as he headed toward the Emperor's location. The man in white moved with a dancer's elegance, extremely graceful—except for that head of flamboyant yellow curls... which made Emperor Jianhong's eyelids twitch.
"Report to Your Majesty. Imperial City Department Director Bai Ziqing requests an audience."
