The morning mist hung in the air, scattering brilliant shards of golden sunlight across the palace grounds. A high-flying goose occasionally streaked across the sky, a propitious sign for an autumn day.
Palace maids had been assigned to sweep the corridors since early morning, so that by the time the officials arrived for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, the stone paths were already spotless.
Outside the palace gates, carriages from various noble households were packed tightly together, guided to the side by footmen to be parked. The carriage from the First Prince's Estate had arrived quite early; after exchanging pleasantries with the others, Furong and the female relatives from the other estates entered the palace together.
Chapter 99