The morning sun had barely risen when a familiar figure appeared outside the Empress's temporary courtyard in the Duke residence.
A maid hurried inside.
"Your Majesty, Princess Zhi has arrived."
Lian An looked up from the invitation cards she had been reviewing.
"Princess Zhi?"
Before the maid could say anything else, the door burst open.
Princess Zhi entered dramatically.
But—
She wasn't dressed like a princess.
She wore a simple pale blue commoner's dress, her hair tied in an ordinary braid, carrying a cloth bag over her shoulder.
Lian An blinked.
"...What happened to you?"
Princess Zhi grinned.
"Nothing."
Then she pulled out another bundle of clothes.
"And these are for you."
Lian An stared at the bundle.
Then at Princess Zhi.
Then back at the bundle.
"No."
Princess Zhi immediately grabbed her arm.
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"I'm not going."
"You are."
"I have work."
"You have been doing wedding preparations for days."
"I am helping."
"You need fresh air."
