The woman was of medium height, with cheeks that appeared gaunt and pale, and lifeless phoenix eyes trying hard to stay open.
She wore a lilac-colored narrow-sleeved top, paired with a white pleated skirt embroidered with crabapple flowers. On her head, she wore a simple pearl headpiece, and her face was lightly powdered, yet it could not conceal her weary expression.
She was the most esteemed woman in the county, receiving a salary from the court, but she exhibited not a trace of an official's wife's demeanor. Had it not been for the two government officials in soldier uniforms accompanying her, others might have mistaken her for the wife of a scholar from a literary family.
Supporting her was a middle-aged maid, who repeatedly cautioned, "Madam, mind the threshold underfoot."
Behind the woman, there were two tall government officials and a maid in green carrying an umbrella.
