The Empress Dowager watched as Yun Chi and Hua Yan, dressed in bright red brocade, walked hand in hand across the threshold. She had long awaited the day when Yun Chi took a wife, and now that he truly had brought her in, tears of relief instantly welled up in her eyes.
After exchanging greetings with the Empress Dowager, Hua Yan followed the rules and respectfully offered her tea.
Clutching a handkerchief, the Empress Dowager wiped the corners of her eyes several times before tremblingly accepting the tea to drink. Afterward, she instructed Maid Zhou to bring out a gift for the tea ceremony. When Hua Yan saw this, she too felt somewhat startled. Although the Empress Dowager's gift was not as substantial as the Empress's, it was still twice as generous as Hua Yan had anticipated.
"Empress Dowager, your gift is far too generous," said Hua Yan, looking at her.