Early morning.
Qin Siyao woke early at the Qin Kingdom's embassy.
As usual.
After washing up with the help of her maid, Qin Siyao sat in the courtyard and meditated for an hour, then read for another half hour.
The two things Qin Siyao had once hated most—cultivation and reading—had become part of her daily routine. She even made use of any spare moments to cultivate.
A little past midmorning, Qin Siyao set down her book and said to the maid beside her, Mingyue, "Let's go out for a stroll."
"Your Highness, are you going to the palace?"
Mingyue asked.
Ever since they had arrived in the Zhou Kingdom's Imperial Capital, her empress had gone to the Zhou Kingdom Imperial Palace whenever she had any free time.
And now, less than half a month remained before the wedding ceremony.
Her Majesty had finished learning all the Zhou Kingdom's ceremonial customs yesterday, so she had nothing but free time ahead.
Thus, as Mingyue saw it, Her Majesty would be spending plenty of time at the Zhou Kingdom Imperial Palace these coming days.
"No." Qin Siyao smiled and shook her head. "Compared to the Zhou Kingdom Imperial Palace, there's somewhere else I'd rather visit today."
With that, Qin Siyao rose and headed out of the embassy.
Mingyue hurried after her.
Half an hour later.
The carriage carrying Qin Siyao stopped in front of a small courtyard.
Mingyue helped Her Majesty down from the carriage.
She looked over the quiet, unassuming little courtyard, wondering who lived there that Her Majesty had come to visit in person.
Qin Siyao stepped forward and knocked on the door, once lightly and twice firmly.
"Coming. Please wait a moment."
Only after Qin Siyao had knocked three times did Mingyue hear a woman's voice from inside the courtyard.