Le Xiu wore a water-blue overcoat with gold-trimmed borders, adorned with silver-thread embroidery of phoenix tail flowers. Her hair was styled in a high bun, decorated with a hairpin featuring a phoenix facing the sun. A long diamond necklace hung at her brow. Her face was adorned with light makeup, and her expression was kind and harmonious as she smiled warmly, assisted by Jinyu, to sit at the main seat: "You may all rise, no need for formalities."
Everyone stood up with a rustling sound.
"This is the Empress." Le Xiu introduced Empress Zhuang beside her in a voice clear and joyful as a spring breeze. Everyone again gathered their robes and bowed. Xiqiu looked over at the woman sitting by Le Xiu.
At first glance, she was slightly surprised.
