The Emperor had been occupied during lunch hour, hence the family meal was not a requirement for that day. Tianshi Xue ate alone in the same balcony that she was stuck in while watching all of the gifts get whisked away to her rooms.
"I assume there would be more?" she asked Howin who had been patiently waiting for her to finish.
"Of course, Your Highness. The high officials of the other lands are very generous. You must expect lavish gifts."
Tianshi Xue nodded her head. There were other things that she could want. She missed going to stores and browsing through clothes. "Do you think I would be allowed to go out of the palace?"
Howin's voice was filled with concern when she spoke again. "Your Highness?"
"I want to walk beyond the walls of the palace. Would that be possible?"
"Uh…"
It seemed to Tianshi Xue that the princess had never really been out of these walls—nor did she ever ask to be outside on her own will. "Howin?"
