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墨書 Inktalez
As for the discarded clothes, the officials noticed some of them had fleas, making them unsuitable to remain in the palace for long. Checking each piece would take too much time, so they decided to drag them out of the palace and burn them.
The explanation given to the common people was that a small piece of fabric would be cut from each garment to create a patchwork robe, which would be presented as a gift from the citizens to His Majesty. They all understood.
Now that the original clothes were destroyed and with so many people involved, finding enough Cotton Clothes would take some time. The Xuande Emperor had lost all interest in the grand banquet; a sudden headache struck him, causing him to hunch over slightly.
"I don't care," he declared. "I don't want to see these clothes again. Your mistakes are yours to solve. Once this matter is settled, you will all kneel outside the hall for a day. Freeze if you must; if you survive, consider it luck. If you die, then it's your own fault!"
The officials hurriedly expressed their fear and rushed out to handle the situation. The common people saw the officials running and became anxious as well. After being reassured by the guards, they turned their attention back to the performances with renewed enthusiasm.
At that moment, Cai Zhuo cautiously spoke up, "Your Majesty, perhaps we should end today’s proceedings here. You need to rest."
But the Xuande Emperor stubbornly replied, "The banquet has already been shortened from three days and nights to just one. I want to enjoy this day; is that too much to ask?"
Cai Zhuo patiently urged him again, "Your Majesty, there are those who might be plotting something; it’s better to be cautious."
"Why must I be cautious? Why must I back down?" The Emperor insisted. "I will not retreat today! This banquet must continue until the very last moment!"
Cai Zhuo fell silent, unable to persuade him further.
Suddenly, Sang Qingxiao stood up abruptly and walked towards the main door while saying, "Close all doors and windows! Bring the citizens indoors!"
Qi Xiaomian rushed a few steps to catch up with her. "What’s wrong?"
Sang Qingxiao looked at him seriously. "Listen carefully! It seems something is approaching—there's a sound like wings flapping; it's birds! And considering those bloody chunks of Rotten Flesh, perhaps it’s meant to lure them."
Qi Xiaomian focused intently after Sang Qingxiao's warning and sensed something unusual as well. Everyone had been too engrossed in discussion earlier that no one had noticed these signs. Now, even with a warning, it was too late; the sound of flapping wings grew closer and closer as if drawn by an irresistible force, increasing in frequency as they hastened their flight.
In mid-air were crows—a massive flock that darkened the sky wherever they flew, their cacophony becoming increasingly uncomfortable for the ears.
"Dodge!"
The palace guards sprang into action. Despite their assistance, nearly ten thousand citizens could not avoid shoving and falling over one another. When the Crowd of Crows arrived, more than half of them had yet to find refuge in nearby halls.
The allure of food was too strong; the crows surged forward with sharp beaks pecking at the Cotton Clothes. In their frenzy, they inadvertently drew blood from the citizens' fresh flesh, turning them into a feast.
The guards scrambled to drive them away but could not prevent casualties. The danger came not only from the predatory birds but also from the panic among the citizens. In their frantic attempts to escape, trampling occurred.
Even though Sang Qingxiao used talismans to fend off most of the crows' attacks, some individuals still fell victim to being trampled in the chaos.
From a crack in the palace window, the Xuande Emperor witnessed this scene unfold and felt an overwhelming sense of dread wash over him. He gasped for breath several times before suddenly spitting out a mouthful of blood.
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