Capital City, atop the city walls.
Snow drifted down.
When it snowed in the Jiang Dynasty, the weather was never overly cold.
Fine flakes lay over the world like a thin layer of white salt.
The Empress raised her fair hand and gently lifted one corner of the green gauze parasol.
Her gaze was deep and distant as she looked toward the horizon.
At the end of her gaze, the Holy Dynasty delegation was gradually disappearing into the distance.
Even after the light snow between heaven and earth had quietly stopped.
The Empress's eyes remained fixed upon that place.
"Your Majesty, they've already gone far away."
Die'er stood behind the Empress, worry written across her face.
"Please return."
The Empress still looked into the distance.
She turned a deaf ear to Die'er's voice.
There was not a trace of expression on her face.
Only the hand holding up the curtain was clenched tight.
Seeing this, Die'er opened her mouth. After hesitating for a moment, she ultimately said no more.
Instead, she stood beside the Empress and looked in that direction with her.
Yet the Holy Dynasty's party had long since vanished from that direction.
The light snow continued.
Speck by speck, it fell.
Only after light snow had piled over Die'er's body did the Empress release the curtain in her hand.
"Ready the carriage. Return to the palace."
There was no needless chatter.
Gu Xiangnan's expression grew ever colder.
She first closed her eyes, feeling snowflakes land upon her face before the warmth of her body evaporated them.
Those drops of chill seemed a feature unique to the snowy season.
"Yes."
Relief filled Die'er's heart. She hurriedly bowed, then rose and called for the palace maids and eunuchs to bring the Imperial Carriage.
Time slowly passed.
Capital City welcomed