Su Jinli put the letter away and began to ponder the various situations she might encounter after entering the palace. She knew that the Empress Dowager's palace was one of the core areas of imperial power, and every action and every word could have unintended consequences. She must be cautious in her words and actions, demonstrating her intelligence and steadiness to win the Empress Dowager's trust and support.
That night, Su Jinli tossed and turned in her room, unable to sleep. She pondered her response, imagining the possible scenarios that might unfold during her meeting with the Queen Mother. She knew that the Queen Mother's invitation to the palace to learn housekeeping was more than simply a matter of imparting skills; it must have deeper implications. Perhaps the Queen Mother intended to observe her abilities and character, cultivating suitable personnel for future palace affairs; or perhaps it was a gesture of goodwill and wooing the Prime Minister's residence, hoping to solidify her relationship with them through her.
Whatever the reason, Su Jinli understood that this was a rare opportunity and a huge challenge. She must seize this opportunity to prove her worth to the Queen Mother, but at the same time, she must be careful to avoid being caught up in the disputes of the palace.
The next morning, still early, the capital was shrouded in a light mist. Su Jinli rose early and meticulously dressed. She wore a light blue brocade robe, simple yet elegant, and a simple hairpin accentuated her dignified beauty. Once everything was ready, she, accompanied by Lingge, rode slowly towards the palace.
Along the way, Su Jinli felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement. She gazed at the familiar streets, a flood of emotion filling her heart. Once, she was merely an unfavored daughter of the prime minister's family, but now, she had the opportunity to enter the imperial palace, learning and managing court affairs. This transformation seemed like a dream, but she knew it was the product of her unremitting efforts and perseverance.
When Su Jinli arrived at the palace gate, it stood majestically, imposing and impressive. The guards at the gate, clad in ornate armor and holding spears, had a stern expression that was intimidating. Su Jinli dismounted, straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, and walked towards the palace with a determined stride.
Led by a palace maid, Su Jinli passed through palace gates and along long corridors. The palace buildings were magnificent, with carved beams and painted rafters. Every detail shone with the majesty and luxury of the imperial family. As she walked, Su Jinli carefully observed her surroundings, memorizing the route in her mind for future reference.
Finally, Su Jinli arrived at the palace where the Queen Mother resided. She paused briefly, catching her breath, and then gently stepped into the hall. Inside, the Queen Mother sat upright on a phoenix chair, her expression both majestic and kind. Su Jinli hurried forward and bowed gracefully, "I, Su Jinli, greet the Queen Mother. May the Queen Mother live a thousand years, a thousand years, and a thousand thousand years."
The Queen Mother nodded slightly, her eyes gazing at Su Jinli, a flicker of approval in her eyes. "Get up, Su Jinli. I've heard that you handle affairs in the Prime Minister's Residence with decisiveness and extraordinary intelligence. Seeing you today, I can see that your reputation is well-deserved."
Su Jinli stood up, bowed her head slightly, and said modestly, "Your Majesty, your praise is too much. I was just doing what I was supposed to do. Compared to the sagacity of the Empress Dowager, it's really nothing."
The Queen Mother smiled faintly and said, "You don't have to be so modest. I asked you to come here so that you could learn some methods of managing the household. The affairs of the palace are complex and complicated. Although they are different from those of the Prime Minister's residence, the principles are the same. You must study hard and don't let my efforts go to waste."
Su Jinli quickly bowed again and said, "Jinli will definitely live up to the Queen Mother's high expectations. I will definitely study hard and strive to improve myself."
From then on, Su Jinli began her study life in the palace. She arrived at the Empress Dowager's palace early every day to diligently study the management methods of palace affairs, including personnel deployment, material management, etiquette, and so on. The Empress Dowager was very satisfied with her and often taught her personally, and even let her participate in some practical affairs to hone her abilities.
During her time in the palace, Su Jinli not only gained a wealth of knowledge and experience, but also made many like-minded friends. They studied together, discussed together, and grew together. However, life in the palace was not always smooth sailing. Some people were jealous of Su Jinli's arrival and secretly tried to hinder her. But Su Jinli, with her wisdom and courage, resolved crises time and again, earning the respect and recognition of more people.
At the same time, Jiang Yan's position at court is increasingly valued by the emperor. With his talent and wisdom, he offers advice and resolves numerous difficult issues for the state. He and Su Jinli support and encourage each other, and despite their different circumstances, their hearts remain firmly connected.
As time passed, Su Jinli's studies in the palace gradually drew to a close. The Empress Dowager, pleased with her performance, decided to assign her responsibility for important palace affairs. Su Jinli understood this as a sign of trust from the Empress Dowager and a golden opportunity for her to demonstrate her talents. She vowed to give her all, live up to the Empress Dowager's expectations, and contribute to the stability and prosperity of the palace.
Meanwhile, at the Prime Minister's residence, Su Jinli's "Jinyun Bookstore" opened successfully, with Prime Minister Su's full support. The bookstore boasts a rich and diverse collection of books, attracting numerous scholars and scholars. Su Jinli often returns to the Prime Minister's residence to personally manage the bookstore's affairs. Seeing the bookstore's growing prosperity fills her with a sense of accomplishment.
After many twists and turns, Su Jinli's life finally enters a new chapter. She juggles the palace and the prime minister's residence, striving to realize her dreams. She knows the road ahead is long and full of challenges, but she is confident that with her own efforts and the support of those around her, she will be able to create a brighter future.
On a sunny day, Su Jinli finished handling palace affairs and returned to the Prime Minister's Residence. She walked into the "Jinyun Bookstore" and looked at the bustling scene inside, feeling a surge of emotion. At this time, Jiang Yan also came to the bookstore. He looked at Su Jinli with eyes full of love and praise: "Jinli, you did a great job. Seeing you excel so well, I am so proud of you."
Su Jinli smiled slightly and said, "All of this is inseparable from your support and encouragement. Without you, I would not be able to get to where I am today."
The two smiled at each other, knowing that no matter what the future held, they would face it together, hand in hand. In this era filled with both hope and challenges, they would continue to write their own wonderful stories, creating even greater achievements for themselves, their families, and their country.
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