Outside Qiankun Palace.
A young eunuch with unremarkable features hurried through the corridor, as fine rain draped the scene, making his face even more indistinct through the mist. The palace attendants serving at the Imperial Court rushed past, not one noticing him; he was like a drop of water blending into the sea.
He pulled out a token, and Ying Lu let him in.
"Greetings, Emperor."
"Rise."
The eunuch was assisting Xie Zhixing in removing his hair crown, but dissatisfied with his slowness, Xie waved him off, allowing the young eunuch, who seemed adept and practiced, to step up: "Today, after Attendant Lady Xi went to Jianzhang Palace to pay respects, she encountered Concubine Feng on her way back to Xianfu Palace. After greeting Concubine Feng loudly, and briefly conversing with Consort Xu, she returned to Xianfu Palace, now being watched by Qing Zhou."
