Empress · Palace
Heavy curtains cast layered shadows, the furnishings arranged with elegant order. The palace maids wore new clothes, each with the small velvet flowers permitted for her rank in her hair. All wore flat soft shoes, their steps light, their eyes bright and teeth white, a glow shining in their gaze.
After years of quiet stagnation, they had finally been reborn. After all, who did not know that His Majesty now held Her Majesty the Empress in the highest regard?
No matter how favored those consorts were, their favor would last only for a time. Yet the mistress they served could remain honored and cherished without end. Now her own grandson was the Imperial Grandson as well; even better days lay ahead.
Just then, several princess consorts and princesses in the side hall, especially the dozen or so titled ladies, had finished paying their respects. Seeing that it was late, they took their leave and departed the palace early. Though it could not be called bustling with activity, it had swept away the former desolation.
With the Emperor and the Imperial Grandson together, who would dare show anything but respect?
At this moment, two young eunuchs standing outside the palace were basking in the sun and chatting. From afar, they saw a procession approaching. Two people carried each exquisite little basket, and over a dozen baskets were brought over in one go.
"Ah! They've sent more things!" one young eunuch said cheerfully.
The other said, "Stop rejoicing. I'll go report it. You wait here!"
At least half the duty of guarding the gate here was receiving these imperial gifts.
Food, daily necessities, ornaments, even flowers, cosmetics, and exquisite jewelry—all of it was constantly delivered here from the front.
They had long grown accustomed to it, but no matter