The mother and daughter hurriedly followed behind the servants out of the mansion's gates, and as soon as they stepped out of the vermilion-painted door, they were stunned by the sight before their eyes.
The streets, usually spacious enough, seemed unbelievably crowded at the moment. On both sides, the townspeople stood on tiptoe, craning their necks like a flock of chicks waiting to be fed.
"Move aside, move aside!" Ms Qin covered her nose with a handkerchief, pulling her daughter as they squeezed to the front.
On the flagstone road, different colored ceremonial entourages slithered by like a parade of dragons.
First came the claret-colored procession, led by sixteen Golden Armor Guards, followed by a gilded carriage with black curtains embroidered with four-clawed designs, gleaming under the sunlight.
