In Great Qi, the Empress Dowager prayed earnestly at Zhongyue Temple, commending Regent Xu Tiande for defeating northern barbarians and wishing the kingdom eternal peace. During divination, coins spelled "ruin". Master Jiuyang said it foretold the dynasty’s fall, as the Ziwei Star dimmed and traitors haunted the court; only the North Star could change this fate.She asked if the Emperor would welcome the victorious Xu Tiande, only to find he was visiting a brothel under the guise of "understanding the people". Surrounded by four courtesans, Emperor Zhu Jing indulged in cricket fights and flattery, unaware of hidden dangers threatening the empire.
