A breeze rippled the lake. A figure in a fiery red dress crossed the lotus-leaf stepping stones at an unhurried pace, looking from afar as though she were treading the emerald waves.
In the lakeside pavilion, Ye Jingtang sat cross-legged with his back straight, diligently practicing the Jade-Bone Dragon-Elephant Diagram. Only when the figure approached did he conclude his practice, settle his breath, and open his eyes, turning his head.
"Miss Yu Hu?"
"Mm-hmm."
The Empress of Great Wei stepped onto the pavilion stairs, a hint of languor on her incomparably alluring face. She sat down directly beside the lake and patted the spot next to her.
Pat, pat~
Ye Jingtang rose and approached. He first glanced toward Taihua Hall in the distance, then sat beside her, looking slightly puzzled.
"Court is in session at Supreme Polarity Hall. Aren't you... attending His Majesty?"
The Empress of Great Wei should have been in Supreme Polarity Hall, but she had been very weak lately and could hardly endure sitting there all morning. Partway through, she had left the ministers to continue discussing miscellaneous affairs and returned to rest briefly. Only after seeing Ye Jingtang arrive had she changed clothes and come over.
Admiring the autumn scenery over the placid lake, the Empress of Great Wei replied casually.
"What does the ministers attending court have to do with me? Speaking of which, you did well on this trip. Prince Jing praised you lavishly and even produced the memorial the Wu Prefecture officials wrote requesting recognition for your achievements. The ministers are discussing how to reward you."
"Really?"
Ye Jingtang smiled. "It was all part of my duties. I can hardly claim any great achievement. If the Imperial Court really wants to reward me, that Jade Bone Diagram we mentioned last time..."
The Empress