Hearing someone approach, the two girls instantly climbed out of his arms, hurriedly stood to one side to straighten their clothes, and quickly resumed their previous respectful demeanor.
Song Qingshu frowned slightly, but thinking of the many rules in the palace and how accustomed they were to them, he said nothing more.
A middle-aged woman entered the hall. Though her face now bore the marks of time, one could still vaguely imagine how lovely she had been in her youth.
"Greetings, Imperial Consort." The proper formalities could not be neglected, so Song Qingshu rose and bowed.
"King Qi, there is no need for such courtesy." Consort Jia smiled faintly, her tone carrying a hint of familiarity. "I heard that King Qi had come to see the two Princesses, so I specifically came to have a look. I hope I am not disturbing you?"
Zhao Yuanyuan and Zhao Hu'er hurriedly bowed as well. Song Qingshu replied, "Your Highness is too gracious. Of course not."
Consort Jia warmly helped the two Princesses to their feet while slipping two jade bracelets from her wrists. "You young people have not seen each other for so long. You must have suffered terribly from longing, with so much you wish to say. I should not have come to disturb you, but so much has happened lately, and King Qi is busy with affairs every day. I was afraid there would be no opportunity later, so I came today."
After a pause, Consort Jia continued while holding the two Princesses' hands. "As my two imperial sisters are getting married, I naturally could not offer nothing as their sister-in-law. These bracelets were bestowed upon me by the Empress Dowager when I married. I shall pass them on to you both now. May you soon be blessed with children