At Chen Hour, the procession arrived at the Altar of Heaven.
Before the auspicious time, everyone knelt at their assigned places.
Xia Ruqing's spot was still in the farthest corner, right next to Honored Lady Hu.
The ground was ice-cold; she didn't want to kneel at all.
After hesitating for a moment, Xia Ruqing knelt obediently.
Luckily, this cloak is thick enough, she thought. Kneeling on it isn't cold. Otherwise, these hours would cripple my knees!
"My lady, there are still some pastries left. Would you like more?" Zi Yue, kneeling beside Xia Ruqing, whispered.
Xia Ruqing's face darkened. "I'm so full my stomach could burst! I wouldn't be hungry even if I didn't eat for a day."
Earlier, in the carriage, she had eaten many soup dumplings and shrimp shumai. They had all been brought back by Xiao Xizi the previous night and kept warm over a charcoal brazier.
