There was no sign of my husband or the Emperor.
Despite the cool Spring air, sweat trickled down my cheeks.
My official red Crown Princess dress weighed upon my whole body, and I couldn't help hunching my back to try and alleviate the weight.
Qin and the other servants who were behind me kept silent, the air tense as we listened to the guests murmuring louder and louder as time went on.
To my surprise, Yun Wang returned with a plate of pastries after a moment.
"The servants were making red bean paste buns for fun, Highness! They were very happy to serve them to you. They will be here shortly."
Relief bloomed in my chest as the eunuch proffered three small white and doughy buns on a white ceramic plate to me.
"Thank Heavens." I huffed and put a hand on his shoulder. "Good work, Yun Wang. When they're here, I'll enter the banquet."
Though it had only been a few moments, I could already hear complaints and murmurs of discontent from behind the gates.
