Chapter 92 Going to the Banquet That Qiqi… I want to go to the capital and see it for myself…
The star-gazing banquet will officially begin at 5 PM, while members of the royal family, princes, ministers, and their families will begin to enter from 3 PM onwards.
At dawn, the sky was just beginning to lighten.
Yu Nie, who was fast asleep, was awakened by Song Ai and Cui Wei.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes and got out of bed, yawning lazily. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and she still felt drowsy from just waking up.
Song Ai bowed slightly and said in a soft voice, "Your Highness, today we must attend the star-gazing banquet in the palace. According to the rules, we should get up early to dress and prepare our gifts."
"I can only enter the palace at Shenshi (3-5 PM), and it's still early morning. Juling, please let me sleep a little longer." With that, she lay down again.
Cuiwei and Song Ai, who were standing nearby, quickly and gently pulled her back.
Cuiwei advised her, "Your Highness, this is your first audience with the Emperor, Empress, Empress Dowager, and Grand Empress Dowager, and it is also your first formal meeting with the imperial relatives and officials. It concerns the dignity of the royal family and cannot be taken lightly."
"Your attire and makeup must be dignified and appropriate, and must not lose the dignity of a royal princess. If you get up late, it may be difficult to do everything properly in a hurry. I implore Your Highness to make preparations early and take good care of yourself, so as not to fail the Emperor's grace and also to let the others see your demeanor."
Her demeanor?
She doesn't care about her own demeanor, let alone show it to others.
But now that she's in charge of the title "Princess Shunhe," she can't do whatever she wants. At the very least, she can't tarnish Zhao Huayan's image. She still has to put on a good show.
Thinking of this, with her messy black hair, she reluctantly pulled her legs out of the covers as if it were a matter of life and death.
Sitting in front of the dressing table, she curiously peered out into the courtyard: "Where's Junior Sister? Isn't she practicing in the courtyard?"
Song Ai was carefully combing her long hair when she heard this, and her hands didn't stop. She replied respectfully:
"Master Shen set off for Xuzhou before dawn. She specifically instructed that you not to be disturbed, saying that she would return as soon as she had examined Xu Zuozhu's injuries."
Yu Nie then remembered that Lang Xi had mentioned this matter to her when she returned from Xu Cai's residence last night.
Xu Jingyang wrote that he had been accidentally kicked in the chest by a horse's hoof and was afraid he would not be able to return to see her in time, hoping she would not be angry.
In the letter, Xu Jingyang probably didn't want her to be overworked, so he didn't mention sending her to Xuzhou.
But Langxi was really worried about his injury. In addition, Xu Jingyang was the kind of person who always reported good news and not bad news. Being kicked by a horse hoof could be a minor or serious matter. She was always worried that he was not telling the truth, so she decided to go and see for herself.
For this matter, she even borrowed a fast horse from Xu Cai.
Xu Cai was tied up with official duties and could not leave Jian'an, so she could only send two members of the Wuwei Battalion to accompany her.
Upon hearing that Lang Xi had set off for Xuzhou before dawn, Yu Nie immediately asked, "Did you have breakfast before you left, Junior Sister?"
“Replying to Your Highness,” Song Ai said, tying her hair up, “Master Shen left in a hurry, so I had my servants prepare some pastries and water for her to take with her on her journey.”
Yu Nie breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, otherwise I was really worried that she would be traveling on an empty stomach."
After saying that, she casually picked up a gold hairpin inlaid with pearls and compared it to her temple in front of the bronze mirror.
"By the way, Julian..."
She suddenly remembered something and looked up at Song Ai's reflection in the mirror: "Are the clothes I asked you to prepare yesterday ready? Just make them according to Sui En's size."
Song Ai spoke up: "Everything is ready. But Princess, who are these clothes for?"
“My junior brother wants to visit the palace, and this is a good opportunity,” Yu Nie replied, his tone familiar.
Song Ai always felt something was off when she heard her call Ah Hui that.
Although they went out disguised as senior and junior brothers and sisters yesterday, the way he called him "junior brother" sounded so natural and natural, as if he had been calling him that for many years.
The bond between these three people seems to go beyond the simple term "benefactor," extending far beyond a life-saving favor.
Despite having some doubts, Song Ai didn't ask them.
She advised with slight concern, "Princess, the palace banquets are heavily guarded. What if you are discovered bringing an outsider in like this?"
After putting down the hairpin, Yu Nie picked up the lip rouge on the table and applied a little.
She looked up at the person behind her: "As long as you stay with me and don't wander off to other places, you shouldn't run into any trouble, right?"
Having spent so many years in the palace, Song Ai had seen all sorts of people.
They hadn't spent much time together in the last few days, but in her opinion, Ah Hui wasn't the type to cause trouble; in fact, she could be described as well-behaved and steady.
If we can stay close to them every step of the way, there shouldn't be any trouble.
Thinking it over, Song Ai suppressed the extraneous thoughts in her mind and nodded, saying, "I'll have someone send the clothes to Master Zhou in a little while."
The maids had already laid out all sorts of clothes and a dazzling array of jewelry.
After washing up, I had breakfast with Ah Hui.
She didn't have time to chat with him before Song Ai took her away to carefully try on jewelry and clothes.
Song Ai told her that the Empress Dowager liked women who were knowledgeable, reasonable, and beautiful, and the Empress Dowager also had the same preference. The Empress did not interfere much with the princesses' clothing and appearance, and His Majesty never cared about these things. Not to mention the princesses, he was indifferent to the affairs of the harem and hardly ever asked about them.
It was difficult for the concubines to figure out his preferences; most of the time, his preferences were entirely based on his mood.
After all that matching, Yu Nie's neck was sore from exhaustion.
She changed her hairstyle several times.
She didn't even have time to enjoy lunch properly. After hurriedly shoveling down a few bites, she left Ah Hui behind and rushed off to try on clothes.
Finally, she wore a crimson robe with wide sleeves, over which was a pale yellow blouse with a front opening. A gold belt inlaid with jade was tied around her waist, and her black hair was styled into a "Looking at the Immortal" bun, adorned with a filigree hairpin.
Standing before the gilded bronze mirror, she resembled a peony still wet with morning dew, a peony in full bloom, with lively eyes, radiant skin, delicate eyebrows, and soft lips.
Song Ai breathed a sigh of relief, her usually serious expression breaking into a rare smile: "The Empress Dowager and the others will surely be delighted to see the princess looking like this."
Yu Nie touched the gold and jade hairpins on her head and looked at her unfamiliar reflection in the mirror: "Ju Ling, do people like Hua Ruo also have to please the Empress Dowager and the others like this?"
Song Ai shook her head and straightened the rolled-up brocade for her.
She said slowly, "I asked the princess to dress up so carefully because I hope that you will be liked by the Empress Dowager and the others, and that you will receive more favor so that your life in the palace will be smoother in the future."
“With their families backing them up and their birth mothers taking care of them, Princess Linchuan and the others naturally have a much better life.”
She paused for a moment: "There are countless imperial heirs in the palace, many of whom are forgotten in the corners of side halls. Even palace servants of higher rank dare to bully them at will."
"So, Princess..."
Song Ai looked at her with the same gaze she would give her daughter, her tone filled with earnestness: "While you have only recently returned to Jian'an, while His Majesty and the rest of the people still remember you as a princess, let's try to gain more leverage for the future."
"Do you... understand what I mean?"
Yu Niewan hadn't expected that Song Ai could think so far ahead for her.
A warm feeling welled up inside her, and she said, "Song Juling is so good to me."
Upon hearing this, Song Ai lowered her eyes slightly and said, "The princess is my mistress. As a servant, it is my duty to plan more for my mistress."
She said this, but Yu Nie disagreed and shook her head vigorously: "What master or mistress? It's just that Song Juling is kind-hearted. I'm sure there's no one in the palace kinder than you, Juling."
Hearing her say that, Song Ai looked up at her and said, "There are people in the palace who are kinder than me, and everything I know now is learned from her."
"Who?" she asked curiously.
Before Yu Nie could answer, Sui En led A Hui in from outside.
The first time Yu Nie saw A Hui wearing palace clothes.
Wearing a plain-colored robe with a cross-collar and wide sleeves, a belt at the waist, and a small crown, he still looked tall and handsome.
She lifted her skirt and walked over quickly, clicking her tongue twice.
"My junior brother looks good in anything."
Ah Hui blushed at her praise in front of a group of people and scratched her ear in embarrassment.
Looking at her with her exquisite makeup, he, who was usually shy, praised her with gestures: "This is the first time I've seen Qiqi dressed like this, she looks beautiful."
Others couldn't understand sign language, but Ah Hui didn't shy away from calling her by her childhood nickname.
Upon hearing the praise, Yu Nie pouted and said, "Of course, look at how beautiful my face is."
Ah Hui smiled innocently and raised his hand to show his face: "Wearing gold and silver makes Qiqi even more beautiful. In the future, Junior Brother, earn more money and buy more beautiful clothes for Qiqi and Senior Sister."
Yu Nie smiled and replied, "That would be too much trouble for you, Junior Brother. You don't need to buy too many; one a year is enough."
As the two were talking, before Ah Hui could answer, Xiao Chengyan, Hua Ruo, and Hua Shu's voices came in.
Upon hearing the sound, Yu Nie looked up and saw that Xiao Chengyan had led Hua Ruo and Hua Shu into the inner courtyard.
She took Ah Hui with her when she went out to greet them.
Hua Ruo and Hua Shu walked together, with Xiao Chengyan walking the fastest, reaching her in just a few steps.
Xiao Chengyan was stunned when he saw her attire and makeup; he was amazed.
He didn't even dare to look her in the eye, and his laughter became restrained: "Qiqi is even more beautiful than the peony in the courtyard."
A moment later, Hua Ruo and Hua Shu also arrived at the entrance of the bedchamber.
Hua Shu smiled slightly, following Xiao Chengyan's words, her gaze falling on Yu Nie's forehead: "Chengyan is right, the flower on your forehead makes your eyes and brows even more lively."
As she spoke, she examined the outer robe she was wearing closely and exclaimed sincerely, "This material, could it be the new tribute brocade from this year? It really suits you very well, sister."
Hua Ruo also followed up with a straightforward compliment: "Sister Shunhe looks even better today than the famous painting of a beauty hanging in the Emperor's palace."
Yu Nie felt quite embarrassed by the praise and joked, "If you keep praising me like this, I'm afraid I'll have to go bankrupt to repay you."
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter. Xiao Chengyan stopped laughing first and said loudly, "There is a banquet in the palace tonight. Hua Shu, Hua Ruo, and I came here specifically to invite you, Qiqi, to go together."
“Exactly.” Hua Shu nodded in agreement. “Although it’s still early, we can take this opportunity to show you around the palace. By the time we’re done, it will be about time.”
It was almost time to enter the palace.
Upon hearing this, Yu Nie nodded and replied, "In that case, I would be impolite to refuse."
After saying that, she secretly winked at Ah Hui, signaling him not to worry.
The four of them walked outside together.
Three carriages were parked outside the mansion, all adorned with precious horses and jewels, with gold bridles and jade pendants.
Hua Ruo and Hua Shu each had one, and the remaining one was prepared by Song Ai.
Xiao Chengyan, who had arrived in Hua Ruo's carriage, walked towards Yu Nie and said he wanted to ride in the same carriage with her.
Hua Ruo immediately raised an eyebrow and deliberately dragged out her words: "You really are a womanizer who forgets loyalty. Xiao Chengyan, is this all you learned at the Imperial Academy?"
Xiao Chengyan's ears felt slightly hot, but he glared at him without changing his expression: "Stop talking nonsense. I just think you're too noisy, giving me a headache. Besides, Qiqi is feeling reserved since it's her first time in the palace, so as her cousin, I have to take care of her more."
Hua Ruo scoffed, stopped arguing with him, and got into the car on her own.
This made Yu Nie feel embarrassed, and she advised Xiao Chengyan not to talk about Hua Ruo in front of so many people, and to make him apologize, since she was still young.
Xiao Chengyan, unusually, didn't listen to her, saying that she was practically riding on his head on the road, and she didn't need him to care.
After saying this, he took a long stride and went straight into the Feathered Carriage.
Yu Nie exchanged a helpless glance with Hua Shu, who covered her mouth and chuckled before walking to her side.
"Hua Yan, you don't need to worry about them. They've always been like this since they were little, always arguing and bickering. They'll be fine in a bit."
Hua Shu said, "Go on up quickly, don't worry about it."
Upon hearing this, Yu Nie bent down and entered the room.
The car interior is spacious, with a small incense burner in the center, from which wisps of smoke drift out gently without being pungent.
According to the rules, only she and Xiao Chengyan could sit in the car.
But since Yu Nie wasn't in the palace, she called Ah Hui, Cui Wei, and Song Ai up as well.
The carriage wheels moved forward.
Xiao Chengyan already recognized Ahui, and when his gaze fell on Ahui's face, Yu Nie did not hide anything and directly explained the reason.
Finally, she looked at him and whispered, "I hope you can keep this a secret for me, cousin."
Xiao Chengyan immediately adopted a righteous and unwavering demeanor, his expression resolute: "I will naturally keep this secret for Qiqi. Don't worry, Qiqi, anyone might betray you, but I will never."
Seeing his confident and resolute words, Yu Nie had no doubts whatsoever.
She trusted his character; otherwise, why would she have told him about Ah Hui's desire to enter the palace and broaden her horizons?
Sitting next to her, Xiao Chengyan seemed to have endless things to say.
We've been talking since we left the museum, and more than half the journey has passed, but we still haven't stopped.
He talked on and on about how the Empress Dowager had forced him to stay in the palace these past two days, compelling him to curb his playful nature.
It wouldn't do to give people the impression that he's ignorant and incompetent if he were to return to Nanyin in the future.
People will say that she, the Empress Dowager of Beiye, failed to properly educate her grandchildren.
After saying that, a glint of light flashed in his eyes, and a hint of barely perceptible hope appeared in his tone as he looked at Yu Nie and asked, "Has Qiqi been to Nan Yin?"
Yu Nie shook his head: "I've only heard that the capital of Nan Yin is like spring all year round, with a very pleasant climate."
Xiao Chengyan smiled upon hearing this, his tone tinged with pride: "Even in the dead of winter, it never snows in the capital, making it a very suitable place to live."
At first, the bustling streets could be heard outside the carriage, but as the carriage continued to move forward, the sounds became monotonous, with only the rumbling of the carriage and the sound of horses' hooves.
The pedestrians on the road have disappeared, replaced by towering palace walls and imperial guards in armor and halberds standing solemnly like a forest.
Yu Nie lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked out at the scenery with A Hui.
A constant stream of carriages followed them, carrying either high-ranking officials or members of the imperial clan.
The sky above the palace road was cut into a long, flat pole shape. Looking into the distance, rows of golden copper nails were neatly nailed to the vermilion gate at the end. The guards at the gate, clad in armor, stood tall and straight, with sharp eyes, and remained motionless.
He gazed at her profile, his voice tinged with a cautious probing as he continued his unfinished question: "Then, Qiqi... would you like to go to the capital and see it for yourself?"
As they entered the city gate, the light inside the car dimmed, and when the light suddenly came out, they had arrived at the square outside Danhe Gate.
The magnificent palaces stretch endlessly, as far as the eye can see. Red walls like rosy clouds, green tiles like emeralds, flying eaves and upturned corners, truly like the divine palaces of the heavens, each pavilion exuding awe-inspiring majesty.
With just one glance, she understood to the core why, throughout history, there have always been people who have fought tooth and nail, even risking their lives, for that supreme position.
Such overwhelming power and grandeur are far too easily bewitching.
She and Ah Hui were so engrossed in watching that they didn't even hear what he was saying beside them.
Xiao Chengyan looked at her serious expression, smiled calmly, and lowered his eyes.
They disembarked from the carriage one by one.
Just as Yu Nie stood still on the ground, an arrogant voice rang out behind her.
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