The news of Empress Dowager Xiang's passing came extremely suddenly.
Except for a few insiders, the vast majority were not psychologically prepared.
This news was like a torrential downpour.
Bringing a touch of coolness to this Great Song metropolis that should have been as hot as summer.
For instance, many shops on the bustling Imperial Street closed their doors.
Outside the Vermilion Bird Gate, the number of soldiers inspecting those coming and going increased significantly.
Their expressions were stern, not permitting laughter.
The night market of Bianjing, which should have been lively, suddenly turned cold, replaced by a curfew; painting boats and taverns were not allowed to open.
Zhang San also informed Xu Yun.
The Cuju match originally scheduled to start in five days was postponed indefinitely.
In the entire Bianjing, slaughtering livestock and holding weddings were prohibited.
All temples in the capital had to ring their bells a total of ten thousand times.....
