The festival grounds were already awake when the Empress returned the next morning.
Lanterns still swayed from wooden frames, though their flames were dimmer in the daylight. Stalls bustled with merchants shouting prices, artists calling for attention, and palace women standing beside their creations, faces bright with anticipation and pride. The air smelled of ink, wood shavings, roasted chestnuts, and fresh silk.
She walked slowly, her steps hesitant.
Yesterday's whispers still lingered in her mind.
"Even beginners can do better…"
"So that's the Empress's work?"
"No wonder the Emperor prefers Lady Chen…"
She told herself she had already made peace with it. She hadn't come today expecting anything different. She only wanted to take one more look at the display, to confirm to herself that trying once and failing was not the end of the world.
Her eyes drifted toward the section where palace women's handiwork was displayed.
Handkerchiefs fluttered in neat rows.
