Although the full retinue of a Crown Prince’s procession was not brought out, the group was far from low-profile. Twelve pairs of bright gauze lanterns illuminated both sides of the palanquin, followed by a procession of eunuchs and palace maids until they finally came to a halt before the Eastern Palace.
With such a display, news reached the Eastern Palace long before the party arrived. The palace attendants scrambled in a panic to report to the Crown Princess.
Hua Rong had been resting on a chaise lounge, sipping her pregnancy tonic. She was startled by a palace maid who ran in, breathless and gasping, and could not help but reprimand her with some irritation, "What kind of composure is this, rushing in in such a fluster?"
Chapter 240