The rumors on the streets and in the alleyways grew ever more outrageous. Some said the Emperor had gone to meet a lover.
Others said the Emperor was choosing the next Crown Prince.
Still others claimed the Emperor was venting the frustration in his heart.
All manner of tales continued to spread, inadvertently stirring up a storm of rumors throughout the capital.
Time always passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, three days had gone by.
A vast procession emerged from the imperial palace. More than ten thousand soldiers led the way, escorting the royal party toward the Southern Mountain Hunting Grounds.
The Southern Mountain Hunting Grounds lay roughly twenty li from the capital. Departing from the imperial city, the journey took at least half a day.
After all, there were more than ten thousand people in the party, and there were plenty of stops and starts along the way.
Emperor Kuntai sat within an enormous carriage drawn by eight horses, like a small house rolling along.
There was even a desk inside the carriage. Emperor Kuntai sat behind it, lightly tapping his fingers against its surface, his gaze distant as though he were lost in thought.
Suddenly, his expression changed sharply. A violent pain surged through his internal organs. His body went taut, his muscles stiffened, and cold sweat dripped from his brow.
Pale-faced, Emperor Kuntai no longer possessed his earlier calm. His body trembled violently, as though he might walk into death at any moment, while his face gradually twisted.
"Phew..."
Only after a long while did he let out a deep breath of foul air and recover from the searing pain. A trace of desolation flashed through his eyes.
"I fear I do not have much time left. It used to happen once a month; now,