The emperor's departure the same night was shrouded in an air of quiet determination. He did not want to give false hope to either the Empress Dowager or Lili. His mind was a tempest of thoughts and feelings, and he needed solitude to sort through them. The court watched in silent reverence as he mounted his horse and rode out of the palace grounds, leaving behind a cloud of dust and a sense of unfinished business.
Lili was awakened early, the soft rays of dawn filtering through her window. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, the events of the previous evening replaying in her mind. Despite her lingering feelings of uncertainty, she knew she had to focus on her duties for the day. The Moon Festival banquet was mere weeks away, and there was much to be done.
As she dressed, her maid, Mei, entered the room with a respectful bow. "Good morning, Your Majesty. I hope you slept well."
