Chapter Thirty: The Eve of Decisions
In the quietude of the royal chambers, Yuanyuan and Liang An stood by the window, observing the first rays of light dance upon the rooftops of their empire. The city, unaware of the gravity of the situation, stirred to life in its usual rhythm. Yet, for Yuanyuan and Liang An, this morning was unlike any other; it was the dawn of their most challenging day.
The intelligence gathered over the past weeks painted a grim picture: a coalition of neighboring states, driven by envy and the desire for dominion over Chang'an's resources, was amassing at their borders. The peace that had been the cornerstone of Yuanyuan and Liang An's reign was on the brink of shattering.