Chapter 32 - Chapter Thirty-One: The Appointment

MeiLan followed Uncle Yongli and the rest of the family through the gate with a feeling of unease.  She kept her face carefully composed, but in her heart, she wished that she had been able to bring Emilian inside with her again.  Or even Master Long.  Something about the palace made her feel exposed and vulnerable.  They were greeted by a eunuch inside the gate and escorted through the courtyard and over the bridge to the grand palace.  This time, instead of the banquet hall, they were taken directly to the throne room, where the high court convened.