Outside the palace gates, the drums and music were ready.
The Queen had changed into a scarlet phoenix robe and donned a golden crown adorned with nine phoenixes. As she emerged from the inner palace, the female officials lining the palace avenue bowed low in unison.
"We welcome Your Majesty."
The Queen raised a hand. "Rise, all of you."
The officials rose, smiles on every face.
The Queen looked at the royal carriage beyond the palace gates.
Today, Western Liang's entire royal procession had been brought out.
Though Western Liang was a nation of women, its royal carriage rivaled the splendor of those in China.
Six white horses stood draped in colored silk. Pearls hung from their golden bridles, and phoenixes were carved into the carriage.
A three-tiered silk canopy towered over the phoenix carriage, with mandarin-duck ceremonial fans arrayed on either side.
A curtain of jade-green beads hung before the carriage. When the wind stirred it, the beads chimed softly against one another.
The female officials wore splendid buns and cloudlike coiffures, with golden fish ornaments and jade pendants at their waists.
Farther back, five-colored banners unfurled along the palace avenue.
The officials from the music bureau held mouth organs and flutes, with bells, drums, zithers, and lutes all ready.
The Queen looked around, and the delight on her face deepened.
With a spirited wave, she declared, "Set out! Let us fetch my bridegroom!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A bronze gong sounded, and all six horses stepped forward together.
The canopy adorned with twin phoenixes passed slowly through the palace gates.
The music of mouth organs and flutes rose with it.
Wherever the royal procession passed, female soldiers cleared the way with halberds, while palace attendants followed bearing incense.
Richly fragrant smoke rose from golden censers, scattering through the long