Ling Hua hurried back to Begonia Garden and, after a flurry of packing, emerged half an hour later, with Liuli in tow as she headed to the Imperial Palace.
Zhu Lan watched the two eagerly; she had never been to Capital City nor the Imperial Palace and desperately wanted to join them for a look.
Ling Hua told her, "I can't take you to the palace tonight. Once your identity is officially recognized by His Majesty, I will be able to bring you."
Liuli consoled her, "The Imperial Palace isn't fun at all. It's all about rules, and you must greet and bow to nobles everywhere you see them. Once you've been there once, you'll understand — how can it compare to the freedom outside the palace? Just stay at the residence and have fun with Master Cui and the others. We'll be back after the palace banquet ends, and we'll celebrate the new year together."
Zhu Lan nodded, "Okay then!"
