Clang—

From the first ray of morning sunlight illuminating the glazed tiles, the sound of the morning bell echoed throughout the deep palace walls.

In the Hall of Three Suns, the incense from the golden-patterned beast-shaped qilin censer curled upwards, making the birds and beasts carved on the red beams appear lifelike.

Before the dragon desk, Emperor Jingtai heard the bell, and his eyes opened beneath the crown, a hint of weariness hidden within his majestic gaze as he looked at the clearly distinguished civil and military officials below.