The Emperor first received his court officials in the front hall. Only after the entire set of procedures was complete could he enter the harem.
This time, Consort Shu did not lead the concubines to Shouci Palace, and the group did not see the Empress Dowager's procession at the palace gates.
'The Empress Dowager didn't even come!'
Song Yunzhao was quite surprised, but on second thought, it made sense. The Empress Dowager was the Emperor's mother; as an elder, she naturally didn't have to attend.
Today was Song Yunzhao's first public appearance since giving birth. Aside from Han Jinyi and a few others who often visited her, the other concubines couldn't help but stare in astonishment when they saw Song Zhaoyi.
'How is it that Song Zhaoyi's waist looks almost the same as before she gave birth? Even if one recovers well after having a child, it should still take half a year, right?'
The crowd's gazes lingered on Song Yunzhao's waist, but she pretended not to notice.
