At last.
The ceremony was over.
It was rare to see his imperial sister so stifled. Chu Wenzong was delighted, and his smile grew all the more benevolent.
"Jia Yu, Changhuan, rise."
Jiang Wanrong had risen halfway when she realized Chu Youning beside her had not moved.
Her brow twitched, and she could only cough softly.
Chu Youning's lowered head bobbed.
The entire court erupted in an uproar.
Good heavens, had the Elder Princess actually fallen asleep kneeling in the great hall?
Helpless, Jiang Wanrong could only reach out and quickly pull her up.
Chu Youning looked up in confusion, then immediately broke into a grin when she saw Chu Wenzong. "Hehe, thank you, imperial brother."
That was right. She had still kept the ceremony's final line firmly in mind.
"I, Changhuan, thank Your Majesty."
Beside her, Jiang Wanrong could only marvel inwardly once again at how utterly carefree her imperial sister was.
"The rites are complete. You are both grown young ladies now. Henceforth, you must act with greater care and prudence, and continue to serve as examples for the women of our Yu Kingdom."
Chu Wenzong fought to keep the corners of his mouth from lifting as he delivered that final sentence.
With the rites complete, it was time to dismiss court and go back for a rest.
Surely no one would be so oblivious as to submit a heap of miscellaneous memorials today.
Yet in the very next instant.
Qing Qianxue, who rarely spoke up, and the normally irrepressible Xie Ciyan stepped forward in unison.
"This subject has a request for Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty to grant it."
In the end, Qing Qianxue stepped ahead first, his voice earnest and sincere.
Unwilling to yield, Xie Ciyan lifted his chin and puffed out his chest beside