Princess Taiping's expression sharpened at the sound, and she rose at once.
Lu Changfeng stepped back three paces in tacit understanding and stood waiting with his head bowed.
Two maids hurried forward, draping a crimson gauze robe embroidered with gold luan birds over the princess and arranging her attire.
"Let us go."
Princess Taiping strode out with her maids, Lu Changfeng following three paces behind. They passed through three galleries before reaching the front hall, where the imperial envoy stood upon the white marble steps, edict in hand. Eight eunuchs attended on either side, holding incense burners and horsetail whisks.
Princess Taiping straightened her robes and headdress, then slowly knelt before the incense table. Attendants and palace maids throughout the courtyard knelt with her.
"Your subject, Taiping, respectfully awaits the imperial decree."
The envoy unfurled the scroll and read aloud:
"By imperial decree:
We have heard that the clouds of the Dharma bestow their shade, and the sun of wisdom sheds its radiance. Now monks from India have journeyed ten thousand miles to devoutly offer relics of the Buddha's bones, a truly auspicious blessing upon the realm. You, Princess Taiping of the Li clan, Guardian of the State, exemplify virtue within the palace and walk a path in harmony with true suchness. We hereby command you to join Sansi, Prince of Liang, in conducting this grand ceremony and to oversee the welcoming and enshrinement of the Buddha's bones on the sacred Buddha-Bathing Festival, the eighth day of the fourth month. Discharge your duties with utmost devotion, that you may fulfill the hopes of all.
Proclaim this throughout the court and the realm, that all may know.
The twenty-seventh day of the third month, in the third year of Divine Dragon."
When the reading ended, Princess Taiping raised both hands above