I thought you'd have my head cut off once you became a princess

After sharing a meal with her newfound elder brother, she had been kept talking for quite some time.

Jiang Yuechu finally had a chance to catch her breath.

A grand procession of palace maids and eunuchs followed.

They escorted Jiang Yuechu toward the Golden Jade Palace.

When they reached the entrance to the Golden Jade Palace.

Jiang Yuechu stopped.

Her gaze settled on the couplets.

Beside her.

A quick-witted palace maid saw the Princess Imperial pause and promptly stepped forward. "Your Highness, allow me to explain."

"His Majesty insisted on carrying the ladder over and putting these up himself, braving the heavy snow."

"Her Majesty the Empress tried to dissuade him, saying he should leave it to the servants and mustn't risk a fall and injure his imperial person."

"But His Majesty refused. He said that if he left this joyous welcome home for Your Highness to someone else, it would seem insincere. He insisted on doing it personally; only then would it be complete."

Jiang Yuechu shook her head slightly, somewhat helpless.

"My imperial brother certainly went to a great deal of trouble."

She entered the hall.

A warm fragrance washed over her.

The palace maids filed in.

Some helped her change, while others brought water.

The copper basin held warm water scented with flower dew, and the cloth was cloud brocade sent as tribute from Western Shu, soft and gentle against the skin.

After washing up.

She changed out of the black clothes stained with snow, windblown dust, and dirt.

Dressed in a moon-white sleeping robe, she looked all the more slender, cool, and ethereal.

Jiang Yuechu waved a hand.

"You may all leave."

"No one is to enter without my permission."

None dared disobey. They bowed in unison and withdrew with their backs bent.

The vast bedchamber.