Su Xinyi was waiting, until a eunuch ran over to her and said, "Miss Suliu, would you come with me, please."
Su Xinyi nodded, got up, and followed him. They arrived at the entrance of the hall, the eunuch pushed open the door and then bent over to say, "Please enter, Sixth Missy."
Su Xinyi stepped over the threshold. Unlike the sunshine outside the palace, the light inside was dim and cool. There were court ladies standing on both sides. She slowly moved forward and then knelt down to salute, "I, Courtesan Su Xinyi, bow in the presence of Your Majesty."
The hall was deadly silent. The eunuchs on either side backed off, like a stream of water. Su Xinyi heard the door open and then shut. Feeling the chill from the floor seeping through her knees, she maintained her kneeling position until she heard the Emperor's voice, "Rise."
"Thank Your Majesty." Su Xinyi slowly rose, her head hung slightly as she stood in the middle of the hall.
