Chapter 50 Entering the Palace
Shen Yuan didn't expect that she would soon see Qin Ruyue again, as well as the wife of Duke Jingguo, who had not appeared in public for a long time claiming to be ill.
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On the seventh day of May, after having lunch with his wife and sister at home, Shen Su returned to the Imperial College and embarked on his long journey of studying.
With his departure, Shen Yuan no longer had any excuse to be lazy. On the morning of May 8, after having breakfast in his yard, he went to report to his sister-in-law.
After a few days, Shen Yuan felt that he slept much better at night. He could fall asleep as soon as he went to bed, and he no longer had any random thoughts in his mind.
With the dedicated and careful guidance of this "famous teacher", we have seen initial results after ten days.
Even Shen Yun was amazed at the change in his daughter. When he learned about her efforts today, he generously doubled her monthly salary.
"Girl, you have lost a lot of weight. Look at this skirt, your waist has become bigger." Qingdai suddenly said when she was helping Shen Yuan to get dressed one morning.
When Shen Yuan heard Qingdai's words, he quickly lowered his head to look.
"Qingdai, you are exaggerating. How can you say it's bigger? It's just a little bit. I have been practicing good manners every day these days. I have practiced the simple steps of walking countless times. How can I not lose weight?"
"Thank you for your hard work, young lady. I will ask the kitchen to prepare a delicious meal for you later."
"Okay!" You've been working so hard lately, you deserve some remuneration.
"Girl, would you like to have someone take your measurements and have some new summer clothes made for you? The ones you have now were made last year. They are a bit short and the waist doesn't fit you well."
Shen Yuan thought about it and quickly agreed to Qingdai's suggestion. Who wouldn't like new clothes?
Qingdai invited people over that afternoon. When He Ying knew that Shen Yuan wanted to make clothes, she said she would give her a day off in the afternoon.
However, Shen Yuan did not return to his own yard, but asked Qingdai to invite people to his brother and sister-in-law's yard.
"It would be boring if I do it alone. Sister-in-law, come join us. We can make the same skirt, just like sisters." Shen Yuan shook He Ying's arm coquettishly.
He Ying couldn't stand this, so she nodded in agreement.
After taking the measurements, Shen Yuan saw his current size and thought to himself that he had lost a lot of weight. It seemed that he had been working really hard recently...
He Ying also noticed this, and blamed herself for being too strict with Shen Yuan, causing her to work too hard and lose weight.
"Don't think too much, sister-in-law. You will lose weight naturally if you move. I used to either lie down or sit, which was not good for my body. Although I have lost weight now, I eat more. I am not skinny now, but strong."
"Okay, you have learned very well now. We can relax and take a rest when we are tired."
The one who came to take my measurements today was Huarongfang, the best tailor shop in the capital.
Huarongfang not only sells ready-made clothes, but also caters to the dignitaries in the capital. They can send people to measure the customers' bodies directly and can also customize clothes according to the customers' requirements.
Most of the colors Shen Yuan chose today were lake blue and sky blue, rather than the gouache and goose yellow that she liked before.
Facing He Ying's doubtful question, Shen Yuan explained: "I am almost reaching the age of marriage, so I should dress differently. My previous clothes are too childish."
"In that case, why don't we just choose more colors and see which one suits you best."
Shen Yuan felt that what his sister-in-law said made sense, so he selected a few colors he liked from the booklet with fabric samples.
As for the styles of clothes, she didn't know much about it. She just asked the person sent by Huarongfang, who recommended some suitable styles to her. She picked a few that looked good.
I didn't expect that this dress was made at the right time.
The next day, many families in the capital received the Empress's decree to host a banquet in the palace, and everyone was requested to attend.
Shen Yuan and his sister-in-law He Ying were also invited.
"Sister-in-law, what do you think the Queen wants to do? She's not going to choose a concubine for the Third Prince, is she?"
He Ying couldn't help laughing when she heard Shen Yuan's words and asked her, "How did you come up with this?"
Shen Yuan said confidently, "I read it in the storybook. The Empress invited unmarried girls to the palace just to see which girl was good and could be her daughter-in-law."
He Ying couldn't think of any other reason for a while.
"Perhaps you are right. But no matter what the Empress's purpose is, the imperial decree has arrived at the mansion, and we have no choice but to go."
Afterwards, He Ying sent someone to urge Huarongfang to deliver the finished clothes before entering the palace.
For such an occasion in the palace, Shen Yuan thought it was better to be low-key, so she chose a long dress with dyed flowers in a light blue color, which was neither outstanding nor perfunctory. She also combed her hair into an ordinary double spiral bun, but added two more hair accessories than usual, so that it would not be too plain.
He Ying's dress is similar, not perfunctory or wrong, but not too eye-catching either.
This kind of situation is not the time for them to stand out.
Shen Yuan had not been to the palace for a long time. The Empress' banquet was held in the pavilion beside the lotus pond in Yu Garden. The Empress's imperial edict inviting everyone to come and appreciate the lotus flowers was also written.
There were quite a lot of people coming today. When the aunt and sister-in-law came from the palace gate just now, they met several families along the way, and they were not the first to arrive.
After we sat down, more people came one after another.
Unlike previous banquets, where those who arrived first would gather together to greet and chat, today many people came, and most of them just nodded slightly and that was it, with at most a few quiet greetings.
Shen Yuan also saw Yan Siyu, Jiang Yunyi, Lu Shuyan and others, but this was not the place for them to reminisce, so he could only smile and wink at them as a greeting.
Of course, she also saw the wife of Duke Jingguo and Qin Ruyue. She didn't know if it was because she had some preconceived suspicions, but she felt that Madam Qin and Qin Ruyue did look different. However, there were many daughters who did not look like their mothers, so this could not prove anything.
Mrs. Qin looked a little pale, and even with makeup on, she looked tired. She certainly looked sick.
Shen Yuan took a quick look and found that the girls who came today all dressed in different styles. Some were fresh and elegant, some were gentle and calm, and some were as gorgeous as fire... and some were even "golden and magnificent".
After fewer people came and about an incense stick of time had passed, the Empress and Princess Kangle arrived together.
Everyone stood up and saluted. The Empress seemed to be in a good mood today. Although she had to keep her head down and not look when saluting, one could tell from her voice that she was in a good mood.
"A few days ago, when I passed by this lotus pond, I saw the lotus leaves and the lotus buds about to bloom. I thought of the beautiful scene of lotus flowers blooming here in previous years. However, it is not interesting for me to see it alone, so I thought of inviting everyone to enjoy this beautiful scene together, so as not to let it down."