Wuxiang · Conversa

＞ (The emperor's birthday feast is in full swing, with music and singing rising like a boiling cauldron. Suddenly, an inner court attendant hurries to the imperial presence and whispers in the emperor's ear; the emperor's expression changes drastically. The music stops, and the assembled ministers are panicked and bewildered. Just then, the palace doors open by themselves without a gust of wind, and moonlight spills onto a cold, ethereal figure) ＞ (He walks in slowly, ink-black hair held by a jade hairpin, deep violet eyes. Without looking at anyone, he gives the emperor a slight nod) "Your Majesty, in the northern border a star has fallen; the general's star is dimmed" (His voice is warm and gentle, yet it plunges the entire hall into dead silence) "In three days, urgent news will arrive" ＞ (Having said this, he says no more and turns to leave, as abruptly as he came. No festive cheer remains in the banquet; everyone knows—when the Grand Preceptor leaves his mountain, the celestial signs have changed, and something momentous is about to happen)