The next morning, Sun Miaoqing got up very early and busied herself with dressing up and tidying herself up.
It took almost half an hour just to choose clothes and jewelry.
So that her sister-in-law would know that she was doing very well in the palace, and in fact, that was indeed the case; among the concubines, she was the one who was living the most comfortable life.
Liuli had her hair styled into a small double bun, with a gold-framed phoenix ornament inserted in the middle.
On the right is a kingfisher hairpin adorned with kingfisher feathers, and next to it is a red gold dragonfly hairpin inlaid with gemstones.
On the left is a kingfisher feather butterfly and flower hairpin inlaid with pearls, which complements two begonia flowers, and a string of pearl and coral beads hangs down beside it.
The embroidery is covered with silk threads made of peacock feathers, and the lake-green clothes reflect different colors depending on the light.
Around her neck hung a pearl cloisonné necklace with a phoenix design. Not to mention the bracelets, rings, and finger cots on her hands.
After getting dressed, I eagerly awaited my return to the palace at Changchun Immortal Pavilion. I was to return to the palace the next day, and being able to see him before then would put my mind at ease.
Sun Miaoqing said, "Send someone to check. It's already this late, why haven't they come yet?"
Liuli replied, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. Someone has already gone outside to wait. Noblewomen must first pay their respects to the Empress before they can visit the concubines' palaces."
"Her Majesty the Empress knows you miss your family and will not stay long."
Sun Miaoqing said, "Since entering the palace, it's like becoming a nun. Ordinary women can still go back to their parents' home, but those who marry into the palace are not as fortunate as others."
Linglan said, "The rules of the imperial family are naturally extraordinary."
Rose sat beside Hongzhou, holding him close, looking expectantly towards the door.
"Yuanmingyuan is not like the imperial harem. This road is winding and is even larger than the imperial harem. Your Majesty, please calm down. We should be there soon."
As they were talking, a palace maid who was guarding outside came in to report, "Your Highness, the Madam and the two young masters have arrived at the door."
Sun Miaoqing was so happy that she got up to greet them. As soon as she stepped out of the palace gate, she saw Zhao Shi dressed as a noblewoman and her two nephews.
"This humble woman pays her respects to Your Highness, the Noble Consort."
Sun Miaoqing helped Zhao up, saying, "Sister-in-law, there's no need for such formalities. Wenjing and Wenyu, please get up too. Let's go inside and talk."
After the group went inside, Liuli sensibly stood guard at the door, while Linglan and Qiangwei served them inside.
Zhao carefully examined her sister and saw that she had a rosy complexion, an air of nobility, and exquisite and elegant clothes.
Finally relieved, it seemed she was truly doing well, not just putting on a show. Looking again at the Fifth Prince being held by Qiangwei, Zhao Shi smiled and said...
"Now that you have both favor and rank, as well as a prince, your position is secure and you are living a good life. Your wife and husband can rest assured."
Sun Miaoqing said, "I owe a lot to my sister-in-law and brother for taking care of me over the years, otherwise I wouldn't be where I am today."
“Hongzhou, come and greet your aunt and your two cousins.”
Hongzhou said in a childish voice, "Greetings, Auntie. Greetings, Cousin."
Zhao was flattered and said, "Fifth Prince, this is too much, this is too much."
Sun Miaoqing said, "Of course it is possible. Hongzhou is still young. When he is older and begins his studies, we will send Wenhua to the palace to be Hongzhou's study companion."
"Then we can let the two brothers study and learn to read together, so they can keep each other company."
Zhao said, "According to Your Majesty's wishes, Wenhua is fortunate to be able to study with the Fifth Prince, all thanks to Your Majesty's kindness."
Sun Miaoqing said, "My sister-in-law was just being polite with me, talking about favors and such."
Qiangwei took Hongzhou away and handed him over to Granny Li, then returned to stand beside Sun Miaoqing.
Some things are not suitable for children to hear, especially since the Fifth Prince can already speak.
On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet, the little rascal witnessed the affair between Consort Wan and Prince Guo.
With palace maids by their side, it's easy to imagine that the two of them wouldn't be doing anything shameful.
But if this little rascal said it out loud, it would inevitably cause controversy. The Empress also went to great lengths to make the Fifth Prince completely forget about it.
The same mistake must never be made twice.
Sun Miaoqing asked, "How is everything at home while I was away? Are my sister-in-law and brother still in good health? How is Wenyu?"
Zhao said, "Thanks to you, everything is fine at home. Master's departure to Tongzhou to take up his post is a good way of getting out of the whirlpool."
“Wenyu keeps talking about her aunt, and this time when we returned to the capital, she insisted on coming back with us.”
"However, taking her with us on this long journey would really cause us trouble, so we left her in Tongzhou and let her father take care of her."
“The younger ones are ignorant and just cause trouble. Fortunately, Wenjin and Wenyu have grown up and become sensible, and they know how to share the burden with me and the master.”
Sun Miaoqing looked at her two nephews, who were about fifteen or sixteen years old. These days, people get married early, and the children mature early too.
At the age of fifteen or sixteen, some families are already discussing marriage.
Two years ago, Zhao had already begun preparations for the two children. If she hadn't entered the palace as a concubine, the betrothal gifts might have already been presented by now.
Sun Miaoqing said with a smile, "Wen Jing and Wen Yu look just like your sister-in-law. They've become even more handsome in the two years since I last saw them, and have grown into dashing young men."
"It is quite rare to pass the imperial examination at the age of 10 and become a Xiucai."
Wenjing, being the eldest brother, was more composed, while Wenyu was more lively. "Thank you for the praise, Aunt. My father always says I'm not ambitious enough, but I think it's already quite an achievement to pass the imperial examination."
"There were people in the examination hall with gray hair who hadn't even passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations. When the results were announced, they couldn't accept it, so they knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly until their heads bled..."
"shut up."
Zhao scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting in front of Her Majesty? Aren't you afraid of breaking taboos?"
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