In the early morning, the sound of the bell from the Bell and Drum Tower echoed.
Princess Liyang slowly descended the stairs, put on her pheasant-feather robe again, applied a light dusting of pearl powder on her face, and marked a crimson plum blossom on her forehead once more.
Chen Ji stood on the first floor of the Huitong Hall, looking up at her: "Why is Your Highness not delaying today?"
Princess Liyang smiled and said, "Since the Crown Prince of the Southern Dynasty has graciously come to Huitong Hall to discuss the alliance, it would be unbecoming of me to create unnecessary trouble."
Chen Ji stepped aside to clear the way: "The carriage is ready."
As Princess Liyang passed by Chen Ji, she asked lightly, "Where is Second Miss Zhang? I'm about to leave the Ning Dynasty; does she not plan to see me off? Perhaps this farewell means we'll never meet again in this lifetime."
Chen Ji sincerely said, "It's best not to see her."
