On New Year's Eve, with the Empress Dowager indisposed and the Emperor absent, the palace did not host a grand banquet. At noon, Mingshu and the concubines dined together. On the surface, everyone was still amicable, with no mishaps.
After lunch, they watched a play together in the Imperial Garden until the sun began to set and then returned to their respective palaces.
Once Mingshu was back in her palace, she had the Palace Gate closed, changed into the men's clothing she had prepared earlier, and took a turn before asking Yun Zhi with a smile, "How do I look?"
Yun Zhi hesitated repeatedly, "It looks good, but are you sure we won't be discovered?"
Mingshu lifted an eyebrow at her worried expression, "Are you doubting my expertise?"
She cleared her throat and called out in a certain direction, "Yao Yue."
A person who looked exactly like her emerged from behind the screen, "Your Highness."
Mingshu touched her "face" in admiration, "They really do look alike, so impressive!"