Fanghua looked at the backs of the three people, ripped off the tassels on her skirt, threw them to the ground, stood up and limped after them.
The main hall was filled with lively conversation, and even before crossing the threshold, one could smell the fragrance of cosmetics. Since her rebirth, Meng Qi had been using the jasmine cakes Meng Wan had prepared for her. The ones burning in the house and fumigating her clothes were all of the light kind, but now these strong floral scents seemed particularly pungent to her.
When the female officials heard the song of "The Queen has arrived", the hall instantly became quiet. Everyone stood up and bowed their heads respectfully.
The Queen let go of Yong'an and Meng Qi's hands, walked slowly towards the Queen's throne, and sat down steadily.
"May Her Majesty be blessed with good health." Noble Concubine Xiang took the lead, with the concubines on her left, and the prince's wife and young princes and princesses on her right.
"Everyone, please stand up. It's cold today. Are you all dressed warmly?"
"Today I am wearing the grizzly bear fur that Your Majesty gave me last time. It is very warm." The speaker was the Queen's daughter-in-law, Princess Cheng.
The queen nodded and waved at Meng Qi, "Good boy, come here." Meng Qi lowered her head and took two steps forward.
As soon as she came in, she heard someone mention her name, the voice full of disdain and ridicule.
"As everyone knows, the fourth young lady of the Huainan Marquis's residence entered the palace yesterday afternoon. I mean, I've been here before, but I just hurried past along with everyone else, and I'm not familiar with the place. So, I decided to take advantage of the upcoming palace banquet on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to get to know everyone and get to know the place."
As soon as the Queen finished speaking, a clear voice rang out, "Your Majesty is right. She will soon be the daughter-in-law of the royal family. It's time for her to start moving around."
Although Meng Qi never looked up, she knew that the person who was speaking was Concubine Xian, who was worldly-wise and had a good reputation in the harem, just like her son, Prince Jing.
"Hey? Isn't Concubine Lian here? The future daughter-in-law has entered the palace, but she doesn't show up?" Concubine Xiang's voice was as weighty as her temper.
The Empress laughed and said, "The Emperor invited her to a massage at night a few days ago. I think she wasn't wearing enough clothes, and she got caught in the wind on the way back. Now she still has a headache."
Concubine Zhen covered her mouth and smiled, "Your Highness, why are you so anxious? It's not like you're asking for a daughter-in-law. Just ask Miss Meng Si to go to Qionghua Palace to pay her respects."
Upon hearing this, Imperial Concubine Xiang raised her eyebrows. "The pills that Concubine Zhen requested yesterday aren't enough, are they? I still have some. Why don't we go out and send someone to get some? I guarantee that once the Eighth Prince takes them, he'll be full of life again."
Zhenpin frowned, but before she could utter the word "you", Xianfei smiled and said to Meng Qi, "Are you used to it? The Queen is kind, and living in Kunning Palace is the most comfortable place."
Meng Qi exhaled, nodded, and bowed to Concubine Xian before softly saying, "It's customary. The Empress has specially assigned maids from the ceremonial bureau to serve, and Princess Yong'an has sent people to make every possible arrangement."
Before Concubine Xian could reply, Fanghua clapped her hands and said, "By the way, Yong'an, don't forget to ask the imperial kitchen what the flour dumplings served to Meng Qi's table this morning are made of. Fourth Miss Meng said she'd never tasted them before and they were delicious."
"Puff!" Someone laughed out loud, and Meng Qi's face flushed. She raised her head slightly and looked at Fang Hua with dissatisfaction. Fang Hua covered her mouth with a handkerchief, looked at the embarrassed Meng Qi, squinting her eyes with a provocative look.
"I'm afraid it was made in the imperial kitchen. I've noticed that a lot of new pastries and snacks have been added recently. If Third Sister knows about this, please tell me. I'll ask them to bring two plates to try, and then ask the people in the Eastern Palace to learn from them." The speaker was the Crown Princess.
Meng Qi was not surprised at all that the Crown Princess came to her rescue. After all, in the eyes of outsiders, Prince Rui was in the Crown Prince's group.
Fanghua opened her eyes and was about to respond when she heard the sound of whips outside. All the women in the hall stood up, and the queen also got off the throne and led everyone to the door of the hall.
Outside, a group of people were walking towards the light. The leader was wearing a bright yellow nine-dragon court robe, and the men following behind him were also very imposing.
Meng Qi felt very strange. Although they were all dressed similarly and she was standing at the back, she could clearly see Prince Rui, Song Chengze, who was also standing behind his brothers.
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