It took almost two months to get to Guanzhou, with many stops along the way, but I did see a lot of things along the way.

However, being in the carriage all the time, not only the pampered young ladies like Zhao Shu and Sun Yun who had never traveled far from home, but even the tough men like Xiao Guozi were getting a little tired of it.

When we left the capital, it was still early autumn. By the time we arrived in Guanzhou, it was already late autumn. However, since Guanzhou is located in the south, it wasn't too cold along the way. But if it was rainy, we would have to wear more clothes.

“Princess, Granny Zhong just said that we will be staying in Jinlan Palace, which is next to the Empress Dowager’s Fengxin Palace. Miss Sun will be staying with you. Shall we move our things in now?” Chu Chun asked as she came over.

Zhao Shu glanced at the sky; it was already close to dusk, and night would soon fall. It was no longer the height of summer. She said, "Tell the guards and servants to work hard today, put everything away properly, and lock it up. They mustn't be careless tonight either. Tomorrow, they can take turns taking leave, and each of them will be given a month's salary as a bonus."

"Yes, Princess." Chu Chun felt happy for the soldiers and servants who had been working hard for almost two months. With more money, they would have an easier time this year. Guanzhou was not like the capital; it was a small place, and she imagined that many people would feel exhausted.

Sun Yun didn't bring many people, but she had several large boxes of stuff. However, she didn't need to worry about any of that; Xiao Guozi and the others would take care of it for her.

"Do you know where Aunt Huo lives?" Zhao Shu asked.

Green Ivy, who had been following her closely, quickly replied upon hearing the words, "I'll stay at the Huo family's residence in Guanzhou."

Zhao Shu was surprised that no one had mentioned it beforehand. When she got off the carriage, she had been wondering why she hadn't seen Huo Danlan, Huo Baichuan, and the others. It turned out that the Huo family also had a residence in Guanzhou. They were truly a first-class family with properties everywhere.

Just as she asked, a magpie came over and said, "This servant greets Your Highness. The young lady asked me to tell Your Highness that she and Young Master Xian are staying at the Huo residence in the north of the city. She will come to the palace to see you tomorrow."

“It’s my turn to visit Aunt and Xian’er. How can I let Aunt make the trip herself? You’ve just arrived in Guanzhou, so Magpie should go back now. I’m sure Aunt can’t do without you,” Zhao Shu said with a smile.

The magpie was indeed in a hurry to get back, so it curtsied and turned to leave.

Sun Yun tilted his head and watched the magpie leave. Suddenly, he said to Zhao Shu, "Actually, my family also has a house in Guanzhou. Why don't I go live at the Sun residence and not squeeze in with you?"

Zhao Shu rolled her eyes at her, "Aunt Huo is in charge of the Huo family now, are you going to be in charge?"

“Hey, Zhao Shu, can’t you be a little more tactful? I know I’m not as capable as Aunt Huo, but you haven’t even married into the family yet. Is it necessary to protect her now? You have no conscience. I’ve been speaking up for you all along.” Sun Yun pretended to be angry, but in reality, she had compromised and agreed with Zhao Shu’s words.

Zhao Shu wasn't afraid of making her angry. Their relationship had grown closer recently, and they could joke around, so she didn't intend to hold back.

"You're always damaging my reputation, and you call that speaking well of me?" Her voice was very low, only Sun Yun could hear it. Sun Yun also didn't speak loudly, because they both knew how awful it would sound if these words got out.

It was just a joke between friends.

"These must be Sister Jun and Miss Sun. Just as Auntie said, they are as beautiful as celestial beings." At this moment, three women walked over from not far away. The youngest looked to be thirteen or fourteen years old, and the oldest was only fifteen or sixteen. They were all in the prime of their youth, and each of them was dressed very exquisitely.

The one who spoke was the oldest. She wore a red dress with a hundred flowers that flowed to the ground, and her hair was styled in a hundred-flower bun. The pearl flowers and hairpins were extremely gorgeous, but not gaudy. She was very dignified and elegant.

The other two were dressed in white brocade robes with flowing patterns and dark designs. One of them had her hair styled with tassels and the pearl hairpins in her hair were brightly colored and looked playful and cute.

The youngest one wore a brocade dress with green patterns, her hair styled in a "Wangxian" style, and her hairpins were all green, which complemented her clothes and made her look much more serene.

Zhao Shu and Sun Yun looked at the three women before them, each with a different temperament and unique charm. They exchanged a glance, and Sun Yun remained silent, while Zhao Shu politely asked, "May I ask how you ladies are addressed?"

“My elder sister’s name is Wanru, and this is Wanqing.” She pointed to the woman in the white brocade robe with flowing colors and dark patterns, and then pointed to the woman in the green brocade skirt, saying, “This is Wanshi.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shu did not bow, but simply said, "This younger sister greets the three elder sisters, Wanru, Wanqing, and Wanshi."

After hearing Zhao Shu's words, Sun Yun also curtsied gracefully, offering a gesture of respect as a peer, "Sun Yun greets the three elder sisters."

Both of them were extremely cold, but not in a bad way. The three people opposite them gritted their teeth inwardly, but did not show it on their faces. They just smiled and said, "I wonder if you two sisters are going to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager?"

"Yes," Zhao Shu said, wondering if her grandmother would see her. She guessed she probably wouldn't, and she didn't know how to appease her grandmother.

Zhao Wanru stepped forward enthusiastically. “The Empress Dowager has had a long journey. We sisters were afraid of disturbing her rest, so Grandmother only sent me and my two younger sisters as representatives to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager. We sisters are very uneasy about not being able to personally welcome the Empress Dowager. Why don’t you two, Sister Ajun and Miss Sun, come with us?”

Those who went to the post station to welcome the Empress Dowager were mostly women and men; no young ladies went. They only knelt at the city gate of Guanzhou to welcome the Empress Dowager's carriage. The large entourage had just arrived in Guanzhou, so sending a representative to pay respects at this time was unnecessary, but it was still considered proper etiquette.

Zhao Wanru was very outgoing and asserting her dominance. Guanzhou was her territory, so Zhao Shu, the guest, had to accompany them to pay respects to her grandmother.

It was hard to say whether they were unhappy or not, but the expressions on Zhao Shu and Sun Yun's faces became even more indifferent. Zhao Shu nodded, "Okay."

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