The Li Family Palace was deep in preparations.
Everyone was busy with their own tasks.
They were all working to make sure the wedding took place as quickly as possible.
In the second courtyard.
Li Qingmu's illegitimate children had been pressed into service like a small army of reluctant ants.
Li Ge was balanced on a ladder, tongue poking out as he tied red knots around the wedding canopy poles. His younger sister Li Lan darted below him passing up ribbons as she giggled every time he almost dropped one.
"Stop laughing or I'll tie your braids to the beam next!"
"You'd have to catch me first, slow-brother!"
Nearby, the twins Li Ah and Li Bei were hauling baskets of beads to decorate the ceremonial bed.
They moved with exaggerated care but every few steps one would "accidentally" bump the other and send beads scattering like frightened fireflies.
"Stop it!"
"You bumped me!"
"I did not—!"
Behind a screen of hanging gauze.
Li Zimo was once again attempting escape.
