Within the imperial palace, atop the towering bell tower.
Several powerfully built imperial guards, their eyes bloodshot, joined forces to lift the thick, heavy striking beam.
With all their strength, they drove it into the enormous Jingyang Bronze Bell.
"Dong—!"
"Dong—!"
"Dong—!"
The death knell thundered out, deep and grim, steeped in boundless desolation!
Its long, low toll pierced the overlapping crimson walls and green-tiled roofs, turning into visible sound waves that rapidly spread across the skies above Bianliang City.
Immediately afterward.
The great royal temples throughout the city, including Grand Incense State Temple and Kaibao Temple, rang their own bronze bells in mournful response.
The unceasing toll of the funeral bells.
Plunged the bustling, prosperous Bianliang City into deathly silence in an instant.
From high officials and nobles to peddlers and porters, everyone turned deathly pale at the sound and fell to their knees, bowing toward the imperial palace.
At that moment, all the people of Great Song understood.
Their young, accomplished emperor, who had revived the New Policies and beaten Western Xia into repeatedly begging for mercy, had departed this world for good...
Listening to Rain and Observing Waves.
It was noon, and bright sunlight bathed the lavish courtyard, built at tremendous expense, while a gentle breeze kept the air pleasant.
Several weeping willows in the courtyard swayed in the spring breeze, their tender green branches stirring softly.
Sunlight filtered through the gauzy curtains surrounding the pavilion, scattering flecks of golden light and shadow across the smooth flagstones.
The entire courtyard exuded an elegant tranquility, far removed from the clamor of the world.
Inside the pavilion, beside an expensive round rosewood table.
Jiang Che, Liu Mengxi, and Li Qingzhao sat together, enjoying a sumptuous lunch.
"Hiss..."
Li Qingzhao raised the exquisite White Jade Wine Cup before her