He did not pause, but directly ascended, entered Hanyuan Palace, ignoring the ritual of washing and sanitizing hands performed by the inner attendants.
All was part of the dead silence.
Then he walked through Hanyuan Palace, passed the Xuanzheng Gate, straight through the central court, entered Xuanzheng Hall, and passed the Zichen Gate... never slowing his pace even a bit.
Proceeding in such silence should have sparked some terror, the Imperial Army ought to guard the roads, the eunuchs should have warned and rebuked, but when everyone discovered the Emperor did not sit in Xuanzheng Hall to receive guests as per custom, they were at a loss as to what to do.
Everything within the inner palace should be queried through the Empress, but she only replied with tightly pursed lips.
Yongbei ascended Zichen Hall expressionless, then passed it, moved backward, arriving at a quiet, uninhabited garden.
