The next day, the great hall was once again arranged for a formal occasion. The Empress Dowager sat on her throne, an expression of quiet expectation on her face. Beside her, the Empress's face was a mask of cold composure. Lady Klara stood at the foot of the throne, her posture was rigid as she addressed the assembled ladies.
"The Empress Dowager commends you for your tireless work over the past two days," she announced. "The time has come to present your gifts. An eunuch will call you forward one group at a time."
The judging began. Group after group presented their work: a set of intricate embroidered screens, a polished wooden carving of the Imperial family crest, a collection of poems written in exquisite calligraphy. While some other groups had nothing to present because of the the incident from yesterday.
