Capital City
The streets, alleys, lanes, and houses stood packed shoulder to shoulder, thick with people. Though it had rained many times, for some reason the air remained so damp and stifling that one could barely breathe.
Rumble
A muffled peal of thunder sounded in the sky, and rain began to fall again. A gust of wind swept in carrying the rank scent of rain, and pedestrians hurried their steps; some simply broke into a run.
Though rain was a good thing, no one looked pleased.
At a window table in a tavern, someone looked up at the gray, murky sky. Sure enough, dense clouds had swallowed more than half the heavens, flashes glimmered through the gaps, and rolling thunder rumbled from time to time. A trace of worry immediately appeared on his face.
This man appeared to be a Provincial Graduate. He said to his companion, "Look at this sky."
What was wrong with the sky? It was only a rainy day, wasn't it?
His companion was also a scholar. He looked up at the sky, confusion on his face.
The man sighed. "The weather is about to change. These celestial signs are somewhat inauspicious..."
"Shh!" His companion was startled upon hearing that. He hurriedly tugged at the man, signaling him not to say any more.
"Do not speak recklessly!"
Was that something one could say casually?
A few years ago, saying such things would have been nothing much. After all, Provincial Graduates themselves had the right to discuss state affairs. But what time was it now?
The heir apparent had already been established. The situation seemed more stable, yet anyone with clear eyes could see that the state of the realm—especially that of the Capital City—had been stretched taut to the limit. One careless move, and it would