"In this case, I have to ask Madam for a favor."
"What?"
"Every year, the Ministry of Revenue purchases a batch of supplies from the public and distributes them to various places as military pay. Since the imperial merchant this year is the Han family, I think the supplies are likely to be ordered from them. Can you pay more attention to the quality of the supplies? It's not that the usual ones are bad, but I always feel that they are not worth the price."
Hearing this, Du Jingyi did not agree immediately. After thinking for a while, he said.
"I cannot agree to this matter directly. After all, it is not the Du family's business. However, since they can accept the order from the Ministry of Revenue, there can't be too many tricks in it. I will ask around first and tell the general when I have news."
"Okay, Madam, I'll keep it in mind. But if it's inconvenient, it's okay. Don't be too embarrassed."
"Don't worry, our relationship with the Han family is just like that between the Gu family and the Guo family. We can talk it out."
She also learned to joke, so when Gu Shaoyu heard this, he rarely smiled.
Everyone in and outside Sui'an City was looking forward to the arrival of the new dynasty. On the morning of April 18, before dawn, Gu Shaoyu was already dressed and ready to go out.
There was no time for breakfast, so Du Jingyi asked Danruo to make him some biscuits to fill his stomach, which would be good for chewing on the way. He also gave him a cloak over his court clothes, and only sent him out after he was ready.
"The ladies will be coming to the palace to pay homage later. You still have time to sleep a little longer."
"I'm not going to sleep anymore. I haven't participated in the coronation ceremony yet, and I'm afraid there might be some mistakes, so I'd better prepare early. Grandma Guo is a good person. She was afraid that I didn't understand the situation, so she sent someone to deliver the news. I will stand with her at that time."
"Okay, then you should be more careful."
Gu Shaoyu squeezed her soft palm and then left.
It was only the 3:00 p.m. when we left, and the sky was still pitch dark with no sign of daylight.
He went there early because he had to follow the new emperor to offer sacrifices to heaven, so he couldn't be late. The audiences with ladies like Du Jingyi were scheduled for almost afternoon, so there was no rush.
But no matter how not in a hurry, one still has to enter the palace early and wait. After meeting the emperor, one has to meet the empress dowager and the other ladies in the harem, so one cannot be careless at all.
Du Jingyi's imperial robes had always been carefully kept by Cherry, and even when they left, they were kept extremely carefully, so when she took them out today, they still looked brand new as if they had just been delivered.
With the help of gold and silver threads, it was beautifully embroidered, and the lapels were decorated with pearls, making it very eye-catching. She was a first-rank lady thanks to Gu Shaoyu's official position, so naturally her clothes were luxurious.
Before taking on the task, the master and servant were extremely careful.
She was afraid of getting her clothes dirty, so she ate something in advance. Her makeup was simple and elegant. She had a very good skin tone, so after applying some peach powder, she just drew her eyebrows and added some lip color.
It was obvious that the ladies of the first rank were all of advanced age. She was already eye-catching among them. If she dressed up outstandingly, wouldn't that just be a source of gossip? So she was not stupid.
As for her hair bun, it was more dignified and elegant, the same one she used when she first entered the palace to meet Empress Guo, except that there were a few more items such as pearls, jade hairpins and rings.
After everything is ready, start getting dressed.
With layer upon layer of clothes, the person looks dignified and elegant, but it is also a bit too heavy, which makes Du Jingyi very distressed.
"If I wear it all day in April, I'm afraid it will get soaked inside. Prepare a few more ice silk handkerchiefs for me, so I can keep cool."
"Yes, I understand."
Cherry would accompany Du Jingyi to the palace today, so her attire could not be any worse than others. After Du Jingyi had packed up, she also dressed up and changed into a brand new light green long dress. It was not eye-catching, but very refreshing.
The master and servant dressed from dusk till dawn, a full two hours. When the Guo family's carriage arrived at the gate of the general's mansion, Du Jingyi breathed a sigh of relief and went out.
Many people from the Guo family are going to enter the palace today. In addition to Old Madam Guo, there are several other ladies of the Guo family who are also going to enter the palace.
However, in terms of status, their positions were lower than Du Jingyi's, so when they saw her dressed like this, Mrs. Guo San, who was more familiar with Du Jingyi on weekdays, smiled.
"She is more beautiful than flowers. Even if she is dressed up like a plain girl, she is still beautiful."
"Aunt, you are flattering me. I am just relying on my youth. However, I lack a lot of charm. I still need the grace of aunts to match this gorgeous dress."
Mrs. Guo waved to Du Jingyi and then spoke.
"Come and sit with me, old woman, so we can talk on the way."
"Thank you, Grandma Guo."
After getting on the carriages, everyone headed for the imperial city, which had already been decorated in a solemn, majestic and grand manner.
The Guo family's carriage was very stable, so Du Jingyi didn't feel any bumps.
There is no mistake in the poem, post, content, and read the book on 6, 9, and bar!
It's just that since it's my first time attending such an event, I can't help but feel a little nervous.
"Don't be afraid. Actually, we just need to wait there. When His Majesty summons us, we will all kneel and kowtow together. There is nothing much to pay attention to. Oh, by the way, have you prepared some cakes and pastries? I'm afraid we may not have the chance to eat lunch or dinner."
"I have prepared it, and I'd rather have something that won't break. I'm afraid of soiling this imperial robe, which would be a serious sin."
The way Du Jingyi spoke made Mrs. Guo laugh, but soon she sighed and spoke.
"If your grandmother were still alive, she would be the one who brought you into the palace today. She has learned the rules well since she was young. If she could look after you, you would definitely be better."
This was said sincerely, and Du Jingyi agreed with it deeply, but it was just something he could only think about.
"No more talking, no more talking. It's a great day. After the new emperor ascends the throne, everything will be fine."
Although Mrs. Guo was staying in the inner house, she was always aware of the developments outside, so she naturally knew how big the changes were. Just from the fact that her old man had a lot more wrinkles and white hair, it was obvious that he had been very busy and worried recently.
Now that the ceremony is imminent, everything has been settled. After today, there will be a new look.
Madam Guo kept talking, which actually relieved Du Jingyi's nervousness a lot. When they arrived in front of the imperial city, she took a few deep breaths and was no longer as worried as before.
"Let's go, let's go into the palace."
"Yes, Grandma Guo."
"Yes, mother-in-law."
Du Jingyi followed behind Madam Guo and entered the palace ahead of several other Madam Guos, and went straight to the Taihe Palace where they were going to meet the emperor today to wait.