After sharing a meal with her dear elder brother and being kept talking for ages, Jiang Yuechu finally got a chance to catch her breath.
A procession of palace maids and eunuchs marched along in great numbers.
They flocked around Jiang Yuechu as they escorted her toward the Gold Jade Palace.
When they reached the entrance to the Gold Jade Palace, Jiang Yuechu came to a halt.
Her gaze fell upon the couplet.
Beside her, a quick-witted palace maid noticed the Grand Princess had stopped and hurried forward. "Your Highness, allow this servant to explain."
"His Majesty insisted on carrying the ladder himself and putting it up, even through the heavy snow."
"Her Majesty the Empress tried to persuade him, saying the servants could do it and begging him not to risk his health."
"But His Majesty wouldn't listen. He said that if welcoming Your Highness home was done by someone else, it wouldn't seem sincere. He insisted on doing it himself, saying only then would it be complete."
Jiang Yuechu shook her head slightly, feeling a little helpless.
"My dear elder brother went to a lot of trouble."
Inside the palace hall, a warm, fragrant scent washed over her.
The palace maids filed in one after another.
Some helped her change, while others brought water.
The copper basin was filled with warm water infused with Baihua dew. The cloth was made of cloud brocade presented as tribute from West Shu, soft and gentle on the skin.
After washing up, she took off the black robe stained with wind, snow, and dust.
She put on a moon-white night robe, which made her figure look even taller and more graceful, her bearing cool and otherworldly.
Jiang Yuechu waved a hand.
"You may all leave."
"Without my instructions, no one is to