The Hall of Radiance—the official residence of the emperor and empress—stood as a symbol of imperial majesty and unparalleled power.
Its grandeur was unmatched, with towering golden pillars that gleamed even under the faintest touch of sunlight, and intricately carved dragons snaking their way along the archways.
The sprawling steps leading to the entrance were lined with ceremonial guards, their polished armor catching the light and adding to the overwhelming splendor of the palace grounds.
Inside the carriage, Hua Jing's palms were clammy as she sat stiffly, her nerves practically suffocating her. She had never been in the presence of such authority before.
While the Hua Jing of this world might have prepared for such an occasion, she—the intruder in this body—was wholly unprepared for the magnitude of what lay ahead.
The movement outside the carriage was brisk, purposeful.