The Queen drained her first cup of wine.
The translucent jade cup settled lightly on the gilded table with a crisp clink that pierced the bustling music of strings, flutes, and reed pipes filling the hall.
The female officials and palace maids standing on either side of the hall bent their knees in unison, perfectly measured smiles curving their eyes and brows as murmured congratulations spread in overlapping waves.
"Your Majesty holds her wine well."
"Your Majesty and the honored Imperial Younger Brother are a match ordained by heaven. Such a fine union is truly rare in this world!"
"Congratulations on finding such a splendid match, Your Majesty. Western Liang is blessed!"
Not one person spoke out of turn, and not one expression seemed amiss. Their expressions and tones were as though rehearsed a thousand times, so orderly that no flaw could be found, yet stiff as products from an assembly line.
The Queen, however, beamed with delight at their words and raised a hand to have another cup poured.
She drank the second cup more slowly, her lips resting lightly against its rim as she savored small sips.
When she set it down, a faint blush rose over her face.
The Grand Tutor standing nearby smiled and took half a step forward. "Your Majesty is happy today, but please do not indulge too much and harm your royal health."
The Queen waved a hand gently, a trace of languor in her voice. "It has been so long since I felt this at ease. Today is my joyous wedding day. What harm is there in another cup or two?"
As she spoke, she picked up a third cup, but this time she did not drink. Holding it in her hand, she turned toward Xuanzang.
"Imperial Brother."
"Why are you sitting