On that day, Su Xinyi did not manage to wait for the Crown Prince to return to the Virtue Hall. Instead, Zhang Jian returned to bring her a message, reassuring her not to worry and get some early rest.
Su Xinyi knew that the Crown Prince must have been extremely busy due to the sudden siege of the city by the Tatars. At such a time, she naturally could not distract him.
Suppressing her restlessness, Su Xinyi went to her study to read over the letters her father had left her, waiting until her emotions calmed before returning to her sleeping quarters.
The more stressful the situation, the more important it was to stay calm and well-rested, ready to respond to any emerging incidents.
***
The next morning, the doors of the Zichen Palace were thrown open, and the civilian and military ministers, dressed in their ceremonial robes, entered the hall in two separate groups.
