Qian Daoliu looked at her.
"You can walk on your own."
"I destroyed the Clear Sky Sect today."
"That is no reason you cannot walk."
"I also dealt with three volumes of dossiers."
"Neither is that."
Qian Renxue did not lower her arms.
The evening breeze blew her long golden hair forward.
Two white feathers rested against her cloak's collar.
"I am Grandpa's granddaughter."
Qian Daoliu fell silent for a moment.
He bent down and picked her up.
Qian Renxue immediately wrapped her arms around her grandfather's neck and shoulders.
Her gold-and-white skirt hung down between his arms.
She rested her face against Qian Daoliu's shoulder.
"That reason will do."
Qian Daoliu carried her toward the corridor.
Liu Erlong followed behind them.
"Young mistress, you still have to get up early tomorrow."
Qian Renxue closed her eyes.
"Remember to wake me."
"When?"
"After breakfast is ready."
"Morning court is before breakfast."
Qian Renxue opened her eyes again.
"Can't we have breakfast first?"
"No."
"Then have them come to court a little later."
Qian Daoliu lowered his head to look at her.
Qian Renxue tightened her arms slightly.
"Only half an hour later."
"Ritual protocol cannot be changed at will."
"I am the Empress."
"All the more reason to be punctual."
She fell silent for a while.
"Then I will get up earlier tomorrow."
The bedchamber doors slowly opened.
Qian Daoliu set her down beside the couch.
Qian Renxue still held her grandfather's sleeve.
"Grandpa will stay in the side hall next door tonight."
"Mm."
"You cannot go back to the Worship Hall."
"I will go back after morning court tomorrow."
Only then did she let go.
Liu Erlong removed the cloak from her shoulders.
Qian Renxue sat on the couch and raised her hands to undo her hair ribbon.
Her