Jin Li watched State Duke Yu and Kong Qi leave.
She felt utterly exhausted.
She was not fit to be an empress.
If... when things were settled in Nanqian, she wished to leave this place and visit Qi Yuan under the old chun tree in Guqi.
If she could...
"Your Majesty," Aunt Qin whispered in Jin Li's ear, "Is the construction of the sacrificial altar his idea?"
In response, Jin Li hesitated, "Aunt Qin, you all just need to do as I say."
Aunt Qin heard this and said no more, but a flicker of worry passed through her eyes.
Because she saw the design of the sacrificial altar on the blueprint.
And so did State Duke Yu.
Aunt Qin retired and left the palace.
She saw State Duke Yu alone at a distance, his hand resting on a grey-white railing.
State Duke Yu saw Aunt Qin, and he said loudly, "Madam Qin, you must recognize what's drawn on that blueprint."