By the time she finished writing the report, it was already noon. The kitchen staff came over to ask her about today's lunch arrangements.
Fang Qing looked at the menu and decided to eat at Fang Daniu's place anyway.
Princess Min'er came over just before leaving, and Fang Qing took her with her.
Fang Qing learned about the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet from Princess Min'er.
This year, the Emperor will hold a grand Mid-Autumn Festival banquet to entertain envoys from various countries.
No wonder the capital has been so lively lately; it turns out that envoys from various countries have arrived.
Especially in the Tibetan Kingdom, Fang Qing heard from Princess Min'er that the person who came this time was her brother. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, she would go to the northwest with this group of envoys. She was going to Yongzhou to find Fang Zhu.
Fang Qing naturally congratulated her.
Fang Qing didn't have much time left to spend with Princess Min'er, so she treated her to a good time.
There was no response to the submitted memorial, and then the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived.
The Emperor will be hosting a banquet for the envoys at the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet, so Zhao Shi'an is required to attend, and Fang Qing, as a family member, needs to accompany him.
This was her first time entering the palace, and she was unfamiliar with everything. Fortunately, Zhao Shi'an had made arrangements in advance and held her hand the whole time after she entered the palace.
However, since Fang Qing was a woman, she had to pay her respects to the Empress and the other concubines, so it was inconvenient for Zhao Shi'an to accompany her.
The palace maid led Fang Qing into the inner palace and asked her which concubine she should pay her respects to first.
The most favored concubine in the harem was Consort Xian. Fang Qing asked about the palace where Consort Xian lived, and since it was closer to the Empress's palace, she went to pay her respects to Consort Xian first.
The palace of Consort Xian was bustling with activity. As soon as Fang Qing entered the palace, she heard the women laughing and talking.
Fang Qing was led inside by palace servants to pay her respects to Consort Xian.
"This must be Lord Zhao's wife, right?"
"Yes, Your Highness. No wonder Lord Zhao dotes on the lady so much. It turns out that the lady has such a beautiful appearance."
"Is this Madam Zhao's first time entering the palace? Her etiquette seems quite good; she must have been specially instructed by palace matrons."
"I've heard that Madam Zhao comes from a farming family, so it must have been quite difficult for her to learn these rules."
Fang Qing sensed malice in their words.
The women in front of her were either the emperor's concubines or the wives of officials. Fang Qing had no idea what she had done to offend them.
The palace's mistress, Consort Xian, leaned back on the couch with a smile, completely looking like she was watching a show. But Fang Qing could sense that all this malice came from Consort Xian.
She didn't like this place anyway, and her eyes turned cold.
“It’s just some etiquette, how could it be difficult?” Fang Qing said.
Someone burst out laughing.
"You've only learned some fancy moves. There are so many court etiquette rules. You really think you're so capable."
Fang Qing looked at the young concubine.
"I suppose this esteemed person is well-versed in palace etiquette. Why don't you explain to me what the meaning of your eye roll just now was in the context of palace etiquette?"
The man paused for a moment, looking at Fang Qing with displeasure.
Fang Qing chuckled softly.
"I have no past grievances or present grudges with any of you, yet you harbor ill will towards me. I suppose it is simply that this magnificent palace does not welcome me."
"Indeed, it's understandable that you all feel resentful that I, a woman from a peasant family, am able to enter the palace where you can only do so through your family background and hard work. But there's nothing I can do about it. Who told me, a woman from a peasant family, to develop seeds that allow the people to have enough to eat? Who told my husband to be so capable and rise to the position of Grand Secretary? Who told the Emperor to specially allow my husband to bring his family to the palace banquet? That's just how outstanding I am. If you're not happy, just bear with it. These childish comparisons are really annoying and beneath your dignity."
"Since I am not welcome here, I will take my leave."
Fang Qing gave a perfunctory bow and turned to leave amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd.
"Your Highness, how dare she be so rude!"
Consort Xian coldly watched the direction Fang Qing left in, her heart filled with resentment.
But he couldn't really take his anger out on Fang Qing.
Fang Qing was right. The Emperor values Zhao Shi'an, and he also values her, the county princess who is good at researching grain cultivation. Who would dare to do anything to the couple?
I'm so angry.
"What's there to be proud of? It's just a forced smile. Do you think Zhao Shi'an would let her live a normal woman's life?"
"That's right. All Zhao Shi'an can offer her is wealth and luxury. Otherwise, what's the difference between him and marrying a eunuch?"
Some people were secretly pleased, while others thought to themselves, "What's wrong with this?"
Zhao Shi'an was impotent, but his affection for Fang Qing was obvious to all. What was most remarkable and precious was that there were no other women in the inner quarters besides Fang Qing.
A peaceful home, being in charge, being pampered by a loving husband, and having endless money—isn't this what every woman desires in her life?
Fang Qing didn't care what they would say about her behind her back. She was led by the palace servants to the Empress's palace.
Compared to Consort Xian's palace, this place is much quieter.
When Fang Qing arrived at this palace, there were only a few ladies-in-waiting. The oldest one was sitting next to the Empress, who was probably the Empress's mother.
Fang Qing greeted the Empress, who then had someone offer her a seat.
Fang Qing had met the Empress at Fang Zhu and Min'er's wedding. She was kind and approachable, dignified and composed, and possessed the grandeur of an empress.
Compared to the grand occasion last time, the Empress's attire this time was much simpler.
The Empress asked Fang Qing a few trivial questions, and then introduced the ladies in the palace to her.
They were all wives of the clan.
Fang Qing greeted them one by one.
I don't know who brought up the topic of grain seeds, but then they started asking Fang Qing a lot of questions.
The ladies, some from Jiaozhou and others from Yangzhou, became quite friendly towards Fang Qing once they learned that she had been to these places.
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