"Yes, Your Majesty!" Eunuch Hai responded quietly, fearing the Emperor might forget, he reminded, "Your Majesty, you have given Princess Yijia a token allowing her to enter the palace freely!"
The Emperor suddenly realized, "Oh, it seems I had forgotten. Go and welcome her!"
Eunuch Hai personally went to welcome Yun Jinnian.
Seeing Yun Jinnian dressed in mourning attire, yet adorned with the Commandery Princess’s crown on her hair, she walked gracefully.
Prince Rui was the first to enter the palace, and Princess Yijia was the second.
Was this a coincidence? Or was it prearranged?
Many people speculated.
But one was Prince Rui, the other was the unparalleled medical skilled Princess Yijia, so no one dared to openly speak much.
Chu Liange looked over when Yun Jinnian appeared.
If one were to speak of elegance, dressed in mourning, today’s Princess Yijia stirred the heart more than that night in Huiquan Tower, more tenderly and more pitiably.
This kind of beauty was touching and pitiable, it needed to be held tenderly and cared for, not desecrated.
It was different from the flamboyant and arrogant Concubine Hele, whom one would wish to strip naked and ravish.
Chu Liange glanced once, then quickly turned his head, daring not to look more, fearing Yun Jinnian would notice.
Little did he know, when Yun Jinnian entered, she glanced at him.
Having seen enough, she realized her heart had gradually calmed, the obsession and resentment she once had were lessened.
Entering the mourning hall
Yun Jinnian bowed slightly to the Emperor and Chu Yu, her gaze fell on the coffin, her eyes immediately reddened.
Earlier, a living person bestowed so many gifts to her, now lying coldly in the coffin.
Kneeling on the prayer mat, Yun Jinnian’s eyes were red, tears uncontrollably fell.
A palace maid handed her incense, Yun Jinnian held it and bowed thrice, then rose up and placed the incense in the censer.
She took a handkerchief from her sleeve, gently covering her lips, letting the tears fall freely.
She actually wanted to see the Empress Dowager, wanted to organize her clothes, but she knew it wasn’t her turn, nor possible.
Chu Yu saw Yun Jinnian crying, his heart ached terribly.
He wished he could step forward and hold Yun Jinnian in his arms, wipe away her tears, letting her be happy for life.
He took a step forward...
"Yijia!" the Emperor whispered.
The Emperor nodded slightly, "The Empress Dowager cherished you deeply!"
Yun Jinnian remained silent, glanced at Chu Yu, Chu Yu then stepped back.
Yun Jinnian moved her gaze away.
Following closely, the Princess’s Residence family, except for Anger and Sister Ru, all came, followed by the Commandery Princess’s Residence, several Duke Residences, Marquis Residences, Count Residences, General Residences, Wang Residences, and all civil and military officials who could come arrived.
The ladies knelt row by row, according to their rank, kneeling at the end, without braziers or floor dragons, making them shiver from the cold regardless of how many layers they wore or how many warmers they hugged.
Yun Jinnian felt sorry for Mrs. Han, had Henuan repeatedly change warmers for her.
The Empress saw this, had Shaoyao invite Mrs. Han into the mourning hall, kneeling beside Yun Jinnian.
"Mother!" Yun Jinnian whispered.
Mrs. Han gently shook her head.
Though outside was cold, one hour of kneeling could lead to rising and leaving the palace, returning for another hour the next day.
However, kneeling inside the mourning hall meant continuously kneeling, with little time for eating or resting.
Seeing the Emperor and Empress’s attitude towards Jinnian now, it was likely she couldn’t leave the palace with her.
In the Imperial Study
The Commandery Princess gently laid down the teacup, listening to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau stating the burial date in March, she stated calmly, "Since the burial is set in March, let everyone return home during this period. The Empress and concubines can take turns guarding the palace, the relatives of officials will start guarding seven days before the burial. Your Majesty, what do you think?"