Chapter 205 The Empress Dowager's Summoning
Lu Zhaoruo stopped and turned around.
A palace maid dressed in palace attire, with a composed demeanor, stood smiling. Her clothing and rank were clearly higher than those of ordinary palace servants.
The palace maid bowed first, speaking respectfully: "This servant is the head maid of Cining Palace, surnamed Su. I have come by order of the Empress Dowager to invite you, madam, to come and have a chat."
Lu Zhaoruo's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately curtsied in return, saying, "Aunt Su."
The Cining Palace was the residence of the Empress Dowager, and the presence of the head palace maids made for an extraordinary event.
Aunt Su said, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is hosting a 'Lotus Breeze Summer Banquet' at the 'Jinxia Garden' today, inviting ladies of noble birth and young ladies from all walks of life in the capital to enjoy themselves. Her Majesty heard that Lady Lu is entering the palace today, and specially ordered me to come and invite her."
Lu Zhaoruo's heart trembled.
Jinxia Garden?
Lotus Breeze Banquet?
This invitation is too deliberate.
As a merchant's daughter of humble origins, she was not even qualified to have an audience with the emperor according to the rules, let alone to dine with these ladies who held imperial titles and daughters of noble families.
The Empress Dowager's move must have been due to hearing rumors circulating in the capital and her desire to investigate personally.
She showed no sign of it on her face and respectfully replied, "This humble woman will obey Your Majesty's decree. I trouble Aunt Su to lead the way."
Aunt Su glanced at her briefly and said, "This way, Madam Lu."
Passing through layers of palace gates and going deeper into the palace, the solemnity of the previous dynasty is gradually replaced by a more profound and refined atmosphere.
The bluestone path underfoot was as smooth as a mirror.
On both sides are high vermilion walls, topped with azure glazed tiles.
Occasionally, passing by a few palace gardens, one can see some ancient and vigorous pines planted in the courtyard, or a corner of an exquisite pavilion peeking out from inside the courtyard wall, with upturned eaves and corners, just like a bird spreading its wings.
The air was filled with the faint scent of grass and trees, mixed with the distant fragrance of sandalwood, making the deep palace seem even more secluded and strictly governed.
Along the way.
Aunt Su walked with composure, neither lacking in manners nor showing the slightest negligence.
She didn't say much, but led the way. When she encountered patrolling guards or palace maids walking quickly with their heads down, they would step aside, stand respectfully with their heads bowed, and only continue on their way after they had passed.
Lu Zhaoruo lowered her eyes slightly, taking in all the scenery and people along the way.
This nine-tiered palace, with its ever-changing scenery, exudes imperial majesty while also concealing invisible barriers.
Whether the Empress Dowager's invitation is a blessing or a curse remains to be seen.
Upon reaching the entrance of a spacious garden, a plaque hangs above the gate, bearing three elegant yet dignified characters: "Jinxia Garden".
Looking out from the garden, the lotus flowers bloom in full glory, reflecting the sun, and the fragrance of jasmine lingers in the air, creating a vibrant summer atmosphere.
Aunt Su stopped and turned to the side with a smile, saying, "Madam Lu, please follow me into the garden."
Stepping into Jinxia Garden, one is immediately struck by the open and bright scenery, where summer colors unfold like a tapestry, creating a cool and refreshing atmosphere.
The garden's scenery is arranged according to the mountains and water, with a refined and elegant layout.
A winding stream meanders by, its waters clear and blue in summer, reflecting the sky and clouds.
The lotus leaves on the water are lush and green, and the lotus flowers, some pink and some white, stand tall and graceful, showing the lush beauty of summer and blending perfectly with the vitality of the garden.
The pond is surrounded by jagged rocks, and rare summer flowers are planted among them.
Jasmine, white as snow, exudes a delicate fragrance.
Gardenias are smooth and fragrant.
There are also fine southern varieties such as magnolia and Michelia champaca, which are either elegant and refined or sweet and charming, intertwined with the fragrance of lotus, refreshing the mind and body.
Several tall banana and pomegranate trees dot the landscape, their banana leaves unfurling and pomegranate blossoms like fire, creating a vibrant summer scene under the lush shade.
In the waterside pavilion and corridor, a dozen or so ladies of noble birth and daughters of high-ranking families were leisurely enjoying themselves in small groups.
They wore light gauze shirts and silk skirts, mostly made of precious materials such as brocade, tapestry, and brocade with dark patterns, and in elegant and cool colors such as moon white, light green, bamboo green, and lotus root, showing the charm of summer.
The pearl tassels, gold and kingfisher feather ornaments, and jade hairpins adorning her hair swayed gently with her steps, their understated brilliance only enhancing her extraordinary demeanor.
Several ladies were admiring a lotus flower with a full bloom in the pond, their laughter gentle and sweet.
"This year's quality is even more refined than last year's..."
Not far away.
Several young women were watching the fish by the water, their slender fingers lightly touching the surface, their jade bracelets reflecting the shimmering water, and their laughter ringing out like bells.
The vibrant summer colors and warm hospitality of this garden intertwine to create a vivid picture of the elite circle of the Great Ming Dynasty.
Every woman in the garden, in her attire, demeanor, and even the manner of her speech, exuded the composure cultivated by generations of distinguished families.
Beside a lush clump of gardenias, Madam Jiang held Li Nian'er's hand tightly, lowering her voice and sternly instructing her, "Nian'er, listen carefully! Being allowed into this Jinxia Garden today is a tremendous favor from the Empress Dowager, who made an exception and permitted us to come. Countless eyes are watching! If you see that person later, you must not act impulsively; just pretend you didn't see him!"
Seeing the lingering resentment on Li Nian'er's face, she lowered her voice further, carrying a warning: "Remember, we cannot afford to offend any of the ladies present here! If you act impulsively and make the slightest mistake, you will not only lose face, but also the lives of our entire family! Behave yourself, do you hear me?"
Hearing her aunt's instructions, Li Nian'er obediently replied, "Don't worry, Aunt, Nian'er understands what's important and will not act rashly."
But inwardly, he scoffed.
The imperial palace is a sacred place; how dare someone as lowly as Lu Zhaoruo set foot there?
Today I'm going to show her what the difference between heaven and earth truly is.
She turned and walked towards a pond of white lotus blossoms, but her gaze was fixed on the direction of the moon gate like a hook.
When that simple, elegant figure appeared alongside Aunt Su, a cold smile crept onto her lips…
Such shabby attire, even worse than that of a palace maid, yet dares to stand among nobles?
She wanted to see how this merchant's daughter would embarrass herself today.
She casually plucked the fullest lotus flower from the pond, and with light, graceful steps, she appeared to be admiring it, but in reality, she was precisely following Lu Zhaoruo's path.
Just as they were about to brush past each other, Li Nian'er suddenly turned to the side, her shoulder bumping right into Lu Zhaoruo, and at the same time she let go and let the flower fall to the ground.
"ah!"
She staggered backward, her slender fingers brushing her temples, her eyebrows furrowed: "Madam, why are you in such a hurry? This imperial garden is a place of such refinement; how can you allow such a rude act?"
The sound, neither too loud nor too soft, was enough to make several ladies nearby, who were admiring the lotus blossoms, stop their conversation and turn to look.
Lu Zhaoruo was slightly swayed by the impact, but she steadied herself and still placed one foot on the lotus flower.
She glanced up at Li Nian'er, who was feigning composure, then swept her gaze over the trampled lotus flower on the ground, and understood what was going on.
She quickly composed herself, her expression returning to its usual calm. She bowed slightly, her voice clear yet firm: "This humble woman, Lu Zhaoruo, has inadvertently bumped into you, madam. Please forgive me."
Lu Zhaoruo?
The ladies and young women present were immediately surprised.
So she's the merchant girl who's been stirring up trouble in Beijing lately!
In an instant, all eyes in the park turned to this.
Even the Empress Dowager, who was talking to the Imperial Concubine, slowly raised her eyes and looked over calmly.
Li Nian'er was taken aback.
She had assumed that even if Lu Zhaoruo wasn't panicked, she should at least look embarrassed.
Unexpectedly, it remained completely silent, without even a sound.
Enraged, she pointed at the trampled lotus flower on the ground and accused, "Careless stroll? What a nonchalant 'careless stroll'! Every blade of grass and every tree in this garden is a masterpiece of the imperial garden, comparable to gold and jade! You just bumped into me and knocked the flower branch I was offering to my aunt to the ground, and now you've trampled on it, ruining it completely! This is clearly disrespect for the imperial gift!"
She turned around, her voice choked with emotion, "Ladies, you've all seen it! These lotus flowers are so precious, now they're withered and fallen, utterly worthless! Madam Lu, if you truly had no ill intentions, why didn't you move aside?"
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