“Sister A-Jun and Miss Sun are newcomers here, so they must not know much about Guanzhou. If Sister A-Jun and Miss Sun don’t mind, how about I be your guide? Miss Sun must have read a lot of books. I wonder which ones she has read?” As Zhao Wanru and the other two talked, they moved closer to Sun Yun.
The five walked side by side, with Zhao Wanru and two others next to Sun Yun, while Zhao Shu was pushed to the side.
“Miss Sun’s needlework must be excellent. I wonder what patterns are popular in the capital these days? I have a lot of patterns that I brought from Jiangnan. After Miss Sun has rested for a few days, I’ll bring them to you for your evaluation, okay?” Zhao Wanqing said to Sun Yun in an extremely gentle, obedient and lovely manner.
"Miss Sun must be tired. You two shouldn't disturb her. I've prepared some local specialties from Guanzhou, which I'll bring to you later. Although the things from Guanzhou aren't as exquisite as those from the capital, they're quite good because you've never tasted them before."
These words were spoken by Zhao Wanshi. She glared at Zhao Wanqing, her smile extremely calm and gentle.
The three women chattered amongst themselves, while Zhao Shu watched silently from the side. Green Luo, Sheng Xia, and the others were already furious, their princess was still here! Were they blind? She had no rank, no ladylike demeanor, she was just a disgrace to their princess. No matter how capable Miss Sun was, she was still their princess's study companion!
Do daughters of noble families deserve such blatant fawning?
If Zhao Shu knew that Green Luo and the others were actually jealous of Sun Yun, she would definitely shake her head and laugh. This kind of thing is not the first time. It is normal for the royal daughters of Guanzhou to curry favor with the daughters of noble families, and it is the same in the capital.
Nowadays, powerful families run rampant, and the royal family and clansmen are the biggest nouveau riche, representing the most uncouth people in the world.
Sun Yun, however, was extremely loyal. She reached out and pulled Zhao Shu, taking her arm and saying, "I appreciate your kindness, but it's unnecessary. I am A-Jun's study companion, and you need not worry about anything. The palace ladies will take care of everything. A-Jun and I are good sisters, and she will certainly not let me suffer any grievances. We have arrived at the Empress Dowager's palace. Please go and pay your respects." She pointed to the Fengxin Palace ahead, her tone much more indifferent than before, practically icy. Her expression was as aloof as a phoenix descending from the sky, looking down contemptuously at them, these mortals.
The three women's faces turned pale and then red, looking extremely unpleasant. They hadn't expected Sun Yun to be so ruthless, not only rejecting them outright but also speaking to them in such a superior tone. No matter how remarkable she was, she was still just a study companion, and a study companion of a princess with a notorious reputation throughout the capital!
These three people were completely unaware that, while failing to see Sun Yun clearly, they were also belittling themselves.
Upon reaching the gate of Fengxin Palace, the young eunuch guarding the gate stopped them. "This servant greets the Princess and Miss Sun." The young eunuch did not bow to Zhao Wanru and the other two.
The three women felt extremely uncomfortable. How dare a mere eunuch look down on them, daughters of the imperial clan! However, their good upbringing allowed them to suppress their negative emotions and remain extremely dignified and composed. They also managed to keep the displeasure caused by Sun Yun's coldness to themselves.
"Please inform them that A-Yun and I have come to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager," Zhao Shu said calmly.
The young eunuch was slightly flustered and embarrassed. "Princess, the Empress Dowager has sent word that she does not wish to see you. You and Miss Sun should return home."
As expected, based on her experience of living three lifetimes, she was certain that the Empress Dowager wanted to teach her another lesson this time, not by making her kneel, but by causing her to fall out of favor!
Then, you have to put up with other people's bad temper.
Sure enough, as soon as the little eunuch spoke, Zhao Wanshi and the other two treated Zhao Shu even worse than before. Their contempt was immediately evident on their faces. Just now they were only close to Sun Yun and not to her, but now they were not even willing to give her a kind look.
However, Zhao Shu wouldn't hold it against them. People who can't keep their tempers usually don't end up well. She represented the sisters of Guanzhou to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.
In her opinion, being a "pioneer" is more like it.
Sun Yun tugged at Zhao Shu's sleeve, "Let's go back, I'm so sleepy."
Zhao Shu nodded, kowtowed at the entrance of Li Feng Palace, and then went with Sun Yun to Jinlan Palace next door.
Jinlan Palace was not large; it was much smaller than Yongwang Mansion and even smaller than Qionghua Courtyard. Zhao Shu and Sun Yun walked around and looked around, and within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they had seen the entire Jinlan Palace.
Although it is called a palace, there are two embroidered pavilions inside, which are connected to each other. The pavilions have three floors, and each floor is connected by a sky bridge.
Below the overpass was a pond of moderate size, planted with blue lotuses, though it wasn't the season for them to bloom.
Zhao Shu and Sun Yun each chose a boudoir, and they both tacitly chose to live on the third floor, where they could see far from the top.
After choosing their accommodations, Sheng Xia and the others made up beds and rooms for Zhao Shu and Sun Yun. On their first day, the two chose to share a room.
After eating a few bites of food and washing up, the two lay down on the bed and quickly fell asleep.
The next day, the two originally wanted to sleep a little longer, but were told that the daughters of the imperial clan from Guanzhou had all come to pay their respects. Zhao Shu asked in confusion, "Isn't it time to pay respects to the Empress Dowager?"
Green Ivy had already heard the news, so she pouted and said, "Princess, these people are really infuriating. They said they wanted to go with you, so they came to bother you. Besides, tonight Aunt asked Xing'er to tell you that the Empress Dowager is not seeing anyone today."
Zhao Shu frowned upon hearing this. "You mean, the Empress Dowager is not seeing anyone today?"
"Yes, they won't see her. The Empress Dowager just arrived, she'll probably need to rest for a while." Green Ivy was still sulking.
Seeing her appearance, Zhao Shu guessed that she must have been bullied, so she smiled and said, "If you don't like it, then it's fine not to see her. Go and tell them that this princess is busy today. A-Yun, I want to sleep a little longer. What about you?"
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