King Zhou had been sparring verbally with Yun Zhongzi for a long while and had long since lost interest. He shook out his sleeves, spread his robe, rose, and returned to the palace, ordering all the officials to withdraw for the time being. The ministers exchanged glances, then had no choice but to dismiss the court.
When King Zhou's carriage arrived before Shouxian Palace, he did not see Daji come out to receive him, and unease suddenly welled up in his heart. The Imperial Attendant hurried forward to welcome him, and King Zhou immediately asked, "Why hasn't Beauty Su come out?"
The Imperial Attendant lowered his head and reported, "Empress Su suddenly fell gravely ill. She is barely conscious and is now bedridden."
Hearing this, King Zhou leaped down from the imperial carriage and rushed into the sleeping quarters, taking three steps in two. He flung open the golden dragon curtains, only to see Daji's face yellow and tinged with blue, her lips bloodless, her eyes tightly shut, and her breath as faint as a thread. Her whole body lay limp, like an autumn leaf about to fall.
King Zhou called out in a trembling voice, "When Beauty saw me out of the palace this morning, her cheeks were still flushed with spring, her eyes bright with charm. How did she become this ill in barely half a day? What am I supposed to do?"
Daji slowly opened her almond-shaped eyes and forced her lips apart. A low moan escaped her throat, and she panted intermittently, "Great King, this morning I respectfully saw Your Majesty off. At noon, I hurried to Fugong Tower to wait for you. Who could have guessed that when I glanced up, I would see a treasured sword hanging high beneath the eaves? Its cold gleam