July 17th marked the Empress Dowager's birthday.
Apart from the Qianqing Palace, every corner of the Imperial Palace bustled with extraordinary activity.
The Emperor stood motionless for a long time, hands behind his back, in front of the joint portrait of the elderly Madam Gu and Gu Jian, and the Yan Matriarch, until Eunuch An braved to remind him that it was time for the officials to present their birthday felicitations to the Empress Dowager, causing the Emperor to finally avert his gaze.
"Let's go!"
The Emperor concealed all emotions within his heart and walked towards the Cining Palace with a faint smile on his face.
As soon as the Emperor's procession had left, Prince Yong arrived at the Qianqing Palace.
"Prince, the Emperor has gone to the Cining Palace."
