By the time he appeared in the hall, it was bustling with life. He called for a waiter, ordered breakfast, and sat quietly in a corner, listening intently to the others as they discussed the construction of the garden. He noticed there were no objections—only voices of support, most of them motivated by the prospect of a full meal.
After breakfast, he mounted his horse and sped toward the Imperial Palace. Before he even arrived, he could see the palace gates surrounded by layers of impoverished commoners, all craning their necks in eager anticipation, hoping to be selected to avoid starvation during this season of drought.
Xiu Bingxi dismounted and tried to squeeze through, but the commoners ahead, thinking he was trying to cut in line, would not let him pass. A young man, irritated by being jostled, turned and roared at him, "What are you pushing for? Can't you see everyone is queuing? You're not trying to cut, are you?"
