The time it takes for an incense stick to burn has passed, and a cold wind is blowing. Gu Qinlan, Hongye, and Fuyu are still standing in the courtyard waiting for Princess Duan to get up, without a single complaint.

Their faces were calm and their expressions respectful, as if they were waiting for an important ceremony.

Hongye gently tugged at her collar and whispered to Gu Qinlan, "Miss, it's so cold. Would you like to go inside and warm up? We'll let you know as soon as Princess Duan wakes up."

Gu Qinlan smiled slightly and shook her head: "It's alright. Since we're here, we should follow the rules. It's a matter of respect for Princess Duan."

Standing under the eaves, Granny Cen looked at them and couldn't help but sigh in her heart: the women raised by the Gu family are indeed extraordinary.

She stepped forward, smiling, and asked, "Your Highness, it's windy outside. Why don't you come inside and warm up?"

Gu Qinlan politely replied, "Granny, we are not afraid of the cold. Since Princess Duan has not yet gotten up, we will wait here so as not to disturb her rest."

Granny Cen's eyes revealed a hint of respect as she smiled and said, "The Princess Consort is truly disciplined and meticulous; I admire her greatly. Then I won't disturb you any longer. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."

Hongye quietly tugged at Gu Qinlan's sleeve and whispered, "Miss, we don't know when Princess Duan will get up. Waiting like this is really boring."

Gu Qinlan gently patted Hongye's hand and smiled, "Hongye, be patient. While we wait, we can also observe the rules and atmosphere of the Duan Prince's Mansion, which is also a kind of learning for us."

Hongye nodded and said nothing more.

At this moment, the courtyard was completely silent, with only the howling wind. Gu Qinlan, Hongye, and Fuyu stood there quietly, like a beautiful painting.

Princess Duan, who had been lying in bed, sat up, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. She quietly walked to the window and looked out at the courtyard. Gu Qinlan and the others were still standing there quietly, without making a sound. She frowned and turned to Granny Cen beside her, saying, "Granny, those people outside have been waiting for quite a while. Why haven't they come in yet?"

Granny Cen stood to the side with a faint smile on her face. After listening, she gently shook her head: "Your Highness, they are still waiting for you to get up in the courtyard. This Princess Consort is very well-mannered. She said she would wait for you to wake up so she could personally greet you and offer you tea."

Upon hearing this, Princess Duan's eyes flashed with surprise: "They actually waited for so long? Gu Qinlan really has a lot of patience."

Granny Cen smiled gently and said, "Yes, Your Highness, this shows that she has great respect for you. We, the Prince Duan's residence, must treat such a person well."

Princess Duan pondered for a moment, then turned and walked to the bedside. After sitting down, she gently patted the cushion beside her, gesturing for Granny Cen to sit down as well. The two sat facing each other, and Princess Duan said, "Granny, Gu Qinlan is a smart woman. We can't keep her waiting. Go and tell her to come in, pay her respects, and offer tea."

Granny Cen smiled slightly, stood up and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, this old servant will make the arrangements right away."

As Granny Cen walked to the door and was about to leave, Princess Duan called out to her again: "Granny, when you let them in, remember to tell them to keep quiet and not disturb the others."

"Your Highness, rest assured, this old servant understands." Granny Cen replied, gently closed the door, and went outside into the courtyard.

Princess Duan got out of bed, put on her shoes, and walked to the screen. Her maid Chun'er immediately followed, holding the clothes in her hands and carefully dressing the princess.

"Your Highness, do the clothes fit you well today?" Chun'er asked softly, her eyes full of respect.

Princess Duan nodded slightly, looking at herself in the mirror with satisfaction: "Not bad, Chun'er, your craftsmanship is becoming more and more exquisite. Go, bring me my jewelry, I want to dress up nicely."

Chun'er left in response and returned shortly with a box of jewelry. Princess Duan selected a jade hairpin inlaid with pearls and inserted it into her hair, making her appear even more dignified and elegant.

At this moment, Zheng Huiyi rushed in, her face filled with anxiety: "Mother, Gu Qinlan has arrived at the door, look..."

Princess Duan smiled slightly and patted Zheng Huiyi's hand: "It's alright, let her in. I want to see what's so special about this Gu Qinlan that makes you so worried."

Inside the main room, Princess Duan sat in the main seat, while Zheng Huiyi stood to the side, looking nervous. Gu Qinlan slowly entered, her demeanor elegant and her smile appropriate, and bowed to Princess Duan.

"Daughter-in-law Gu Qinlan greets Your Highness." Gu Qinlan's voice was clear and melodious.

Zheng Huiyi stared wide-eyed at Gu Qinlan, secretly astonished. She had originally wanted to find fault with Gu Qinlan's manners, but found that Gu Qinlan's etiquette was impeccable, even more elegant than hers, which shocked her.

“Mother, look at her luggage, it’s so perfect,” Zheng Huiyi couldn’t help but say.

Princess Consort of Duan glanced at Zheng Huiyi and smiled: "Hui'er, don't you understand? Gu Qinlan is a smart woman. She knows how to show her talent at crucial moments. That's why she was able to become the heir apparent's wife in our Duan Prince's Mansion."

Zheng Huiyi bit her lower lip, secretly resentful. She turned to Gu Qinlan, trying to find a flaw in her argument: "Gu Qinlan, are you aware of the rules of our Duan Prince's Mansion?"

Gu Qinlan smiled slightly and replied calmly, "The Duan Prince's Mansion has strict family rules, which Qinlan will certainly abide by. If there is anything I have done wrong, please give me your guidance, sister."

Zheng Huiyi was speechless. She hadn't expected Gu Qinlan to be so clever, leaving her no room for error. She stared wide-eyed at Gu Qinlan, her dissatisfaction growing.

Seeing this, Princess Duan gently patted Zheng Huiyi's hand: "Hui'er, you must learn to be tolerant. Gu Qinlan is your sister-in-law. You will live together in the future and must learn to support each other."

Zheng Huiyi lowered her head, gritting her teeth inwardly.

Princess Consort Duan sat upright, coughed lightly, and looked at Gu Qinlan, who was bowing her head and looking meekly, and said: "Qinlan, now that you have become the heir consort of my Prince Duan's mansion, you should know how to respect your elders. Today, you will serve me a cup of tea to show your filial piety."

Gu Qinlan slightly furrowed her brows. Although she was unwilling, she did not show it on her face. She slowly stood up and said softly, "Your daughter-in-law obeys."

Granny Cen had already arranged for the maids, and seeing Gu Qinlan get up, she immediately instructed the maids to bring tea. The maids nervously placed the teacups in front of Gu Qinlan, and she glanced at the steam rising from the cups, her heart filled with hesitation.

"Princess Consort, please serve the tea quickly," the maid urged softly.

Zheng Huiyi also urged, "Yes, Mother specially arranged this tea ceremony, why don't you hurry up and show your filial piety?"

Gu Qinlan frowned, about to speak, when she saw Princess Duan make a move to leave. Her heart tightened, and she had no choice but to pick up the teacup, enduring the burning pain, and kneel in front of Princess Duan, raising the teacup high and saying, "Mother, please have some tea."

Princess Duan smiled slightly and was about to take the teacup when the sudden steam made her recoil. Her expression changed, and she glared at Gu Qinlan: "Are you trying to scald me to death?"

Zheng Huiyi immediately accused, "Gu Qinlan, how vicious you are! You actually tried to burn my mother!"

Gu Qinlan was startled and immediately turned around to slap the maid who was serving tea across the face: "Why didn't you remind me that the tea was too hot? Did you want to deliberately scald the princess?"