The carriage went straight into the palace gate under Yuwen Hao's lead. Yuan Qingling was not curious about the palace at all now. She only saw a long palace road and mottled red brick palace walls through the slightly raised curtain.
Unable to see into the distance, only occasionally a tall pavilion ca into view, splendid in gold and jade, with glazed tile roofs touching the sunlight.
The carriage stopped, and Yuan Qingling took a deep breath and got off the carriage with the help of Lüye.
The sunlight shone on the vermilion palace walls, and the golden glazed tiles in the distance reflected dazzling light. She was like a ghost who couldn't stand the light, and instinctively reached out to block the sunlight.
Yuwen Hao also got off his horse. The carriage and horses were all tied here, and they continued on foot.
When they reached the gate of Xiaoyun Hall, Lüye said softly, "My Lady, I can't go in. Please walk carefully."
Yuan Qingling knew that Xiaoyun Hall was where the Retired Emperor lived. Outside, there were already maids and servants from various households standing there. She took a deep breath and followed Yuwen Hao in carefully.
Passing through a courtyard full of lush vegetation, they entered the main hall. There were many people standing in the main hall. Yuan Qingling glanced around - they were all dressed luxuriously with grieving expressions.
Thanks to the original host's remaining mories, she recognized most of them.
The one dressed in a cyan satin robe, with a solemn and grave expression, was Prince Ji, Yuanming Emperor's eldest son. He was thirty years old, born of Concubine Qin. His wife was the daughter of Marshal Ma, and Concubine Qin and Lady Ma were now standing beside him, along with a pair of children.
Prince Wei, Prince Sun, and Prince Zhou were also there, each accompanied by their consorts and children.
The princes barely nodded, and did not converse. The atmosphere was extrely heavy.
Yuan Qingling felt Yuwen Hao suddenly tense up beside her, his gaze shifting about, his whole body visibly stiff and uncomfortable.
Yuan Qingling looked towards the entrance, where a couple walked in.
The man looked about eighteen or nineteen, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, tall and straight as a jade tree. His white brocade robe gave him an extraordinary bearing.
He held the hand of the woman beside him tightly. Her hair was styled in an auspicious cloud bun, adorned with a kingfisher hairpin. She wore a blue water-ripple patterned satin palace dress with pogranate embroidery, and cloud-patterned pointed pearl satin shoes.
Her face was like a lotus flower, and the pair of coral earrings swaying as she walked made her brows and eyes look charming yet dignified.
As soon as she entered, she felt the other won in the room were vulgar and gaudy.
Yuan Qingling's lingering mories told her that this couple was Prince Qi, Yuwen Qing, and his consort, Chu Mingcui.
Chu Mingcui was the one Yuwen Hao had loved. A year ago, after Yuwen Hao married Yuan Qingling, she beca the consort of Prince Qi.
As soon as she entered, her eyes t Yuwen Hao's - clear yet bold, charming yet sorrowful.
Yuwen Hao tensed up, breathing rapidly, struggling to look away. His gaze swept over Yuan Qingling's face, full of resentnt and hatred.
Yuan Qingling slowly lowered her eyes.
No one noticed this fleeting mont, not even Prince Qi. After nodding in greeting to the princes and consorts, he stood to one side, looking at the curtain to the inner hall.
Yuan Qingling started to feel dizzy. She struggled to steady herself, but a wave of dizziness ca over her. She instinctively grabbed Yuwen Hao's hand. He shook her off without thinking, and she staggered back, barely steadying herself, extrely embarrassed.
Many people's gazes swept over her face - brazen, contemptuous looks.
A hand gently supported her, and the scent of sunken fragrance enveloped her, accompanied by a gentle, intoxicating voice, "Are you alright? Do you feel unwell?"
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