The next morning, accompanied "under escort" by a personal eunuch sent by Your Majesty, Yuling entered the Imperial City early in the day.
Within Bianjing City stood a forest of ornate pavilions and towering structures that projected an air of solemnity and grandeur. Outside the Imperial City, the streets were a blur of fine horses and carved carriages treading through the spring scenery, with garments of silk and brocade blending like colorful clouds; within the Imperial City, however, reigned a profound stillness and solemnity. This slightly desolate atmosphere contrasted sharply with the vibrant, full bloom of fresh peonies that filled the entire city.
Yuling stepped down from the carriage, walked past several grand halls, and traversed a succession of pavilions and waterside terraces, following a maid all the way to the Rear Garden. The young woman looked around. The Rear Garden was planted mostly with ancient pines and sabines, and the pond water was clear enough to see through. Occasionally, a bird would land upon a large, jade-green lotus leaf floating on the surface of the water, its sharp eyes darting rapidly as it kept a vigilant watch on its surroundings. A moment later, it would stretch out its beak to sip the dew that had gathered in the exact center of the lotus leaf in the early morning, bit by bit, until its belly was full, after which it would fly away in contentment.
Chapter 43