When Emperor Chu woke up from his illness, instead of announcing it to the world, he continued to keep it a secret. He issued a decree for all the palaces to sprinkle vinegar wine or lime water, and no concubines, eunuchs, or palace maids were allowed to go out. This undoubtedly cast a shadow and aroused countless speculations among everyone.
Could it be that the Emperor has contracted some serious illness or is even at death's door? Is that why such a decree was issued?
More sinister minds were already imagining that the Emperor might have already passed away, and that Song Zhiyuan is deliberately hiding this, intending to control the government and secretly support someone's rise to power, or perhaps staging a coup?
