By dawn the Duke's residence was in chaos—
but not the usual aristocratic sort.
This was chaos of powder, hairpins, plain robes, cloth shoes, and four distinguished nobles arguing over which commoner outfit looked "less suspicious."
The Duchess sighed dramatically while checking herself in the mirror.
"My dear husband, are you sure this robe fits the common folk aesthetic? It looks much too clean."
The Duke grunted, tugging the rough cloth on his sleeve.
"I do not understand how commoners walk in such thin fabric. I feel… breezy."
Lian Hua burst out laughing.
"Father, that's the POINT! You're blending in!"
Lian Rou tied his hair with a simple hemp ribbon and looked annoyingly perfect even in plain clothes.
"If I walk outside like this," he said flatly, "women will still chase me."
"Shameless," the Duke and Duchess said together.
Meanwhile, the Empress hid her smile behind her hand. This was her family—dramatic, chaotic, but genuine.
