As dusk fell, Chun De specially arranged a night tour of the Imperial Garden.
Under the night sky, the area surrounding the Imperial Garden's lotus pond was hung with lanterns of all shapes and sizes, illuminating it brightly. A small boat drifted across the pond, a boatwoman poling it along as she sang.
Although neither Prince Wei nor King Wen had arrived, it did nothing to dampen the spirits of the young noble ladies, who strolled through the garden in small groups.
Worried the young ladies might feel too reserved, Chun De sat and chatted with the other madams in a nearby pavilion.
Song Xilan stood on a bridge, her lips pressed tightly together. She was so nervous, her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her chest!
She tightened her grip on the porcelain vial she had been clutching, telling herself over and over, 'Today is the perfect opportunity. If I miss it, I'll be forced to live under Song Lianhe's thumb forever. So, I have to do this.'
