The imperial palace in the Divine Capital had four main gates, each named for one of the four directional Divine Beasts. The Vermilion Bird Gate faced south and never opened except for ceremonies. The emperor, empress, retired emperor, and empress dowager used the northern Black Tortoise Gate; princes and imperial consorts used the Azure Dragon and White Tiger Gates to the east and west. Officials used the side gates flanking the Vermilion Bird Gate; palace consorts, ranked guards, eunuchs, and female officials used the side gates on either flank.
At that moment, Crown Prince Di Hedong hurried out with his entourage near the Azure Dragon Gate on the eastern side of the palace.
Worry covered his face as he strode toward the Azure Dragon Gate. But instead of passing through, he stopped and looked back.
After a while, a fair, plump man with an honest-looking face stepped forward from among his attendants.
"Your Highness, it's time to leave," he said quietly.
Di Hedong did not move. "Lecturer Zhang, do you really think Yiwu will attack the Divine Capital?"
Lecturer Zhang nodded. "I'd put the odds above eighty percent."
"Great Ancestor has been dead for years. Why can't she let it go?"
"Your Highness, Longevity Bearers don't think as we do," Lecturer Zhang said. "To us, a thousand years means dozens of generations living, having children, and dying. But to them..."
He shook his head, smacked his lips, and frowned. "In any case, I know of few among the Longevity Bearers who have forgotten the past with time. Quite a few still brood over things that happened hundreds or even thousands of years ago."
Di Hedong fell silent for a few seconds. "Then I... don't necessarily have to leave the palace to avoid her."
Lecturer Zhang sighed. "Your Highness understands. Must