The spacious hall was almost filled with an array of elegant ladies, their clothes and hair a whirl, jewelry clinking, and the air rich with fragrance.
"The Empress Dowager arrives."
With the Inner Servant's announcement, everyone in the hall stood up, causing the scent to intensify even more.
Empress Dowager Mo, supported by Wufu, appeared before everyone, took the highest seat in the hall, and watched the seated people bow in greetings. She smiled slightly and raised her hand, "You may rise."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
Everyone rose, and some looked up to see Wufu standing beside the Empress Dowager, noticing a new Jade Hairpin in her hair. Their pupils shrank slightly; it wasn't there when they saw her earlier. There's no need to question it, it must have been given to her by the Empress Dowager.
Not waiting for them to ponder further, Wufu stepped down to sit in her own seat, but Empress Dowager Mo called her back, "The wife of the Ninth, sit beside me."
