Princess Duan and Zheng Huiyi were instantly stunned.
Gu Qinlan smiled and replied, "Mother, Huiyi, and Huaiyu are right. Although the Zheng family's initial intention in protecting the country was not to climb to the pinnacle of power, their dedication and sacrifice are undeniable. We can bear this honor, and we must bravely shoulder it. Therefore, we must attend this palace banquet."
Zheng Huiyi looked ashamed: "Sister-in-law, I really misunderstood before. I only knew that I was nervous, but I didn't think things through..."
Princess Duan was still somewhat resistant: "But I am really scared. You know I rarely go out into the world. Even the occasions in Jindu make me feel uneasy, let alone palace banquets."
Especially the thought of facing the Empress and the Empress Dowager made her legs tremble.
Gu Qinlan gently comforted her, "Mother, Dinglian has made outstanding contributions in battle and has been promoted several ranks. Based on this alone, the ladies in the palace will not criticize us. Don't worry, everything is under my control."
Her words were like a gentle spring breeze, instantly easing the pressure on Princess Duan's heart.
After boarding the carriage, Princess Duan still held Gu Qinlan tightly, constantly asking about the formalities and procedures in the palace, afraid that she might have missed some details and thus made a mistake.
Gu Qinlan, on the other hand, was exceptionally patient, explaining to her again and again without any haste or impatience.
When the carriage arrived at the palace gate, everyone got off in turn and transferred to a magnificent sedan chair.
The sedan chair swayed gently as it slowly made its way to the Yukun Palace, where the Empress resided.
Their arrival was perfectly timed, neither too early nor too late. Many noblewomen, accompanied by their daughters, had already come to pay their respects to the Empress.
After Gu Qinlan's sedan chair landed, she rushed to Princess Duan's sedan chair and personally helped her out of the carriage.
This was something the two had agreed upon in the carriage. Princess Duan was worried that she might lose her composure due to nervousness, so she specifically asked Gu Qinlan to be by her side to support her and instill confidence in her.
Noticing that Princess Duan's fingertips trembled slightly with nervousness, Gu Qinlan deliberately teased her to encourage her courage: "Mother, everyone is watching us. Hurry up, hold your head high and stand tall. We, the Zheng family, must not lose to anyone in terms of momentum."
Upon hearing this, Princess Duan immediately rallied her spirits and tried her best to remain calm. "Alright, let's go pay our respects to Her Majesty the Empress together."
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly and carefully helped Princess Duan walk towards the palace.
At this moment, a palace maid announced loudly, "The family members of Prince Duan's residence are here to pay their respects."
Upon entering the hall, the Zheng family members immediately felt countless eyes focused on them.
Princess Duan was extremely nervous, but she always kept Gu Qinlan's instructions in mind, holding her head high, smiling, keeping her eyes straight ahead, and walking steadily and calmly.
And so, maintaining her dignified demeanor, she walked through the crowd until she stood before the Empress. The Princess Consort, leading the women and younger members of her family, knelt down to pay their respects to the Empress.
Empress He, though around forty-five, was well-preserved and looked no more than thirty. She possessed a dignified and beautiful appearance and a kind and approachable demeanor. "Old Madam Zheng, please rise quickly; Madam Zheng, please rise as well."
Immediately, the Empress ordered, "Someone, arrange seats for Old Madam Zheng and Madam Zheng."
Soon, someone quickly brought over chairs.
After expressing their gratitude to the Empress, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law slowly took their seats.
The Empress smiled radiantly, her gaze sharp as she stared intently at Gu Qinlan. "Madam Zheng, I have long admired your name and your legendary tales. I am filled with curiosity about you. Today, I am fortunate to meet you, and I find that you are quite different from what I imagined."
Gu Qinlan had the good fortune to witness Empress He's splendor in her previous life, when Empress He was already the Empress Dowager.
After the fourth prince successfully usurped the throne, Empress He naturally rose to the position of Empress Dowager. However, her fate was far from smooth. As the birth mother of the crown prince, her son's defeat in the struggle for the throne and subsequent death from depression made Empress He's suffering all the more profound. Furthermore, the fourth prince's ruthlessness meant that Empress He only held the position of Empress Dowager for two short years before passing away, a fate undoubtedly influenced by the fourth prince's machinations.
Empress He at that time was emaciated with gray hair, a far cry from her current radiant appearance.
Gu Qinlan rose respectfully and bowed, her tone humble: "This humble woman is filled with trepidation."
Empress He smiled warmly and said, "There's no need to be alarmed. I find you quite pleasing to the eye. You might as well come to the palace often to keep me company and chat about everyday matters."
She wasn't trying to win over Gu Qinlan; after all, her son was already the crown prince, and if everything went smoothly, the throne would inevitably be his. Zheng Dinglian would also become a capable general under her son's command.
She genuinely found Gu Qinlan pleasant to be around.
Gu Qinlan quickly replied, "Your subject will certainly obey."
She pondered to herself that the reason why the Crown Prince was overthrown by the Fourth Prince in her previous life was largely due to his overconfidence.
The Crown Prince was indeed exceptionally talented and held considerable prestige in the court. However, precisely because of this, he underestimated his enemies and was thoroughly outmaneuvered by the Fourth Prince.
In this life, she sincerely hopes that the Crown Prince can ascend the throne smoothly.
But Zheng Dinglian is a loyal subject. How can she persuade him to stand on the side of the Crown Prince?
In the current situation, the emperor's favor towards the Zheng family largely stems from their loyal and selfless stance. Once the Zheng family publicly expresses support for one side, the consequences are difficult to predict.
Just as Gu Qinlan was weighing these delicate relationships in her mind, a palace attendant announced loudly: "The Fourth Prince's Consort and her female relatives have come to pay their respects."
Gu Qinlan instinctively glanced back and was surprised to find that Gu Qinlian was following behind the Fourth Prince's wife!
Your Majesty, I respectfully wish you good health and abundant blessings.
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