It was late autumn, bordering on early winter, and the mornings and evenings were already quite chilly.
At the break of dawn, palace attendants were already up and about, hurrying along the bluestone paths to their respective duties.
In Yaohua Palace, Yun Zhao was having breakfast with Feng Yun.
In Zhaoyang Palace, Consort Zhuang had already dressed and was leading her attendants to Consort Shu's Cuiwei Palace. With the Empress Dowager residing long-term at the traveling palace to recuperate, the Imperial Concubine had become the highest-ranking woman in the harem, so the management of palace affairs fell entirely to the three concubines.
Of course, Consort Wan was a manager in name only. She was known for lending her name but not her effort, preferring to spend her days with Qiao Jinyun, concocting various remedies.
