In Dayong, there are only a few people who are of the highest rank, and Zhao Shu is the only one of the imperial clan who is of the highest rank. A legitimate princess can be of the highest rank, but the empress only has one son and no princess.
Therefore, Zhao Shu could ignore the princess and walk sideways in front of the four concubines, only needing to bow to her father, the empress dowager, the empress, and the crown prince.
Even Consort Hao, despite having the title "noble," was still a concubine, though she was only a first-rank official. When Xiao Zhu came to report, she had already put on her court robes and finished washing and dressing.
The court dress was extremely elaborate, with layers upon layers. Zhao Shu roughly counted twelve layers in total. The sleeves gradually increased in size from small cuffs to long, wide sleeves that trailed on the ground. The skirt trailed long and far to the ground. All the colors were red, with a very reasonable combination of light and dark shades. The edges of the dress were outlined in gold thread and embroidered with phoenixes spreading their wings, with auspicious clouds in the background.
Her hair was styled in a slicked-back style, adorned with a golden hairpin. The hairpin was a gold hairpin with phoenix tassels and gemstones, made in the palace. A water droplet of gemstone was placed on her forehead. Her black hair was parted and tied on both sides, making Zhao Shu look extremely cute. Although she was young, it was clear that she would grow up to be a true beauty.
Zhao Shu rarely wore court robes; they were not only heavy, but the hem was also too long, dragging on the ground and making her shoulders tired.
"Princess, Consort Hao has arrived at the palace gate and is waiting for the Empress Dowager to summon her," said Xiao Zhuzi.
Zhao Shu glanced at herself in the bronze mirror. Her court robes were dignified and vibrant in color. She had applied makeup to her face, but it was so light that it was almost invisible. Her two delicate eyebrows had been drawn with a few strokes, making her features appear more three-dimensional and profound. Despite her young age, she looked extremely dignified.
"Let's go."
Sun Yun was dressed more festively than usual today, but in order not to overshadow Zhao Shu, she wore no makeup and her hair ornaments were very ordinary, though she was styled more neatly than usual. Her clothes were also very ordinary silk robes, barely enough to avoid being impolite.
The Empress Dowager arrived at Fengxin Palace in a grand procession. She was also wearing a new phoenix robe, which was made by Zhong Mama and others. All of the Empress Dowager's clothes were phoenix robes, but the fact that she was able to change into a newly made one showed how much she valued Zhao Shu's birthday.
"Ah Jun greets the Empress Dowager, wishing her eternal happiness, health, longevity, and a thousand years of life."
Everyone knelt down together, chanting, "Long live the Empress Dowager!"
After paying respects to the Empress Dowager, it was the Crown Prince sitting to the side who greeted her. "Greetings to my elder brother, the Crown Prince. I wish you a speedy recovery."
The others also paid their respects to the Crown Prince, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince." The Crown Prince looked much better today, not as dejected as he usually did, and his smile had lost some of its bitterness, though it was still very strained.
Zhao Shu had not performed such a formal greeting for many days, and her performance was remarkably standard, which was truly commendable. The Empress Dowager, sitting high on her phoenix chair, raised her hand and said happily, "Rise, little birthday star."
"Thank you, Grandmother." Chu Chun and Sheng Xia stepped forward and helped her up, one on each side. She was young, and her skirt was too long, which she rarely wore, making it very inconvenient for her to move around.
Upon arriving before the Empress Dowager and sitting beside her, the Empress Dowager gestured for Zhang Chu to bring the items forward. Zhang Chu brought in a sandalwood box and placed it in front of Zhao Shu. "Open it," the Empress Dowager said.
Zhang Chu opened the box, revealing a pair of embroidered shoes inside. The shoes were inlaid with many pearls and gemstones, and what was rare was that they did not look ugly at all, but were extremely beautiful, sparkling, and very valuable.
"I made this stitch by stitch myself. Try it on and see if it fits," the Empress Dowager said.
When Zhao Shu heard that it was made by the Empress Dowager herself, her nose suddenly tingled and her eyes reddened. "Grandmother, A-Jun is about to cry with emotion."
"Your makeup is all ruined, go ahead and cry." The Empress Dowager flicked her nose and gestured for Zhang Chu to take her to the back to change her shoes.
Following Zhang Chu behind the screen, she changed into the shoes. They fit perfectly and were very warm. However, the thought of the money she was wearing made her heart ache. But the pain quickly subsided when she received shoes made by the Empress Dowager herself. She felt warm and exceptionally happy.
After changing her shoes, Zhong Mama came to report, "Empress Dowager, the members of the imperial family and the Imperial Concubine have arrived and are waiting outside the hall."
The Empress Dowager's smile faded slightly, but today was her beloved grandson's birthday, and she was determined to be happy. She couldn't let others spoil the fun and make her unhappy, as that would only torment herself.
He nodded. "Select him."
Zhao Shu sat down and exchanged a glance with the Crown Prince opposite her. The Crown Prince winked at her and said to Zhao Shu without saying a word, "I'll give you my brother's gift in a bit."
After understanding the Empress Dowager's lip movements, Zhao Shu nodded emphatically. The Crown Prince's leg could be treated soon. The skilled physicians were indeed worthy of being the Empress Dowager's personal doctors. They not only developed an anesthetic powder but also obtained a good formula to nourish the bones, which greatly increased the Crown Prince's chances of recovery.
However, only the old imperial physician Peng would occasionally tell her these things; the other princes would not let her know.
After a brief interaction between the two, Consort Hao walked in front, followed by members of the imperial clan, and gracefully arrived at the center of the hall. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager live a thousand years!"
"Your humble servant/your wife greets the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty enjoy good health and longevity. Long live the Empress Dowager!"
Everyone bowed, and the Empress Dowager watched without anger or displeasure, her gaze falling on Hao Shumei. Similarly, Zhao Shu was also sizing up this Consort Hao.
Hao Shumei wore a light red fairy dress with an extremely long hem that trailed on the ground. Her hair was styled in a fairy-like bun with a magnolia hairpin in the center, making her look extremely dignified.
In fact, she was not very old, only about fifteen or sixteen years old. It was truly unbelievable that she could ascend to the position of Imperial Concubine at such a young age, especially considering that she was born into a noble family.
Although she was young, she looked mature, and her composure and poise impressed Zhao Shu. Her features were also extremely delicate. Before she was conferred the title of Imperial Concubine, she was rarely mentioned, so much so that Zhao Shu had no impression of her at all.
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