The sun sank westward, its evening glow spilling over the magnificent palace pavilions. Beneath the ginkgo tree, a swing tied with colorful ribbons swayed in the sunset.
The Empress Dowager wore a dark red phoenix skirt and held the swing's ropes with both hands, gazing above the palace wall. Having gone days without seeing Ye Jingtang, a trace of wistful resentment had returned to her brow.
Hongyu stood behind her, gently pushing the swing as she said softly:
"I heard from the palace servants that Young Master Ye has returned. He should be coming over soon. Your father and mother are on their way, too. Judging by their itinerary, they should already be in Zezhou. It won't be long before you're reunited..."
At this, the Empress Dowager gathered her wandering thoughts and looked back.
"What are Father and Mother coming to the Capital City for?"
"They said they were coming to celebrate the unification of the Northern Frontier and have an audience with His Majesty."
"..."
The Empress Dowager thought this unlikely. After all, completely subduing the Northern Frontier and wiping out every force still resisting would take until after the New Year at the very least. Her parents coming now was most likely because Yu Hu was preparing for her wedding and had written ahead, inviting them to attend.
The Empress Dowager had not actually told her family about her relationship with Ye Jingtang. What she wanted most was to carry on like this without wind or waves, asking for no formal status.
But Ye Jingtang plainly would never agree, and neither Yu Hu nor Li Ren would let her suffer such an injustice. If they married him together, they would certainly make her put on a bridal veil, too.
By rights, if she were to marry, she should