The emperor's heart is as unfathomable as a needle at the bottom of the sea.
Aunt Lanruo carefully examined Sun Miaoqing sitting in front of her, and really couldn't understand what it was about her that caught the Emperor's eye, which not only made her a Changzai (a low-ranking concubine) but also bestowed upon her a title.
Among this group of newcomers, besides Consort Cheng, only Consort Wan, whose appearance and demeanor closely resembled Empress Chun Yuan, received this honor.
Others, even nobles like the Borjigit, simply used their surnames as their titles.
However, she did exactly what her master instructed.
The Emperor instructed her to properly instruct Consort Cheng, and she would do her best to do so. Otherwise, if anything went wrong after she entered the palace, she, as the instructor, would inevitably be implicated.
"My lady, according to the Manchu custom, we wear Manchu-style headdresses and Manchu clothing, and when we bow, we only kneel and do not kowtow. When you meet the Empress, you will need to perform the three kneelings and nine kowtows ceremony."
When bowing, kneel on the ground with your back straight like this, and touch the top of your head three times with your right hand; each touch represents one bow.
"One kneel and touch three times, three kneels make nine. My lord, why don't you try it?"
Upon hearing this, Sun Miaoqing got up and did the same thing as Aunt Ruolan had just done.
Kneel on the ground, chest out, back straight, and touch your head three times with your right hand.
Rise, kneel again, and continue until you have completed the three kneelings and nine kowtows ritual.
Rose smiled and said, "You did a really good job, my lady."
Lily of the Valley nodded in agreement. "Yes, just like what people say, elegant."
Aunt Lanruo nodded, "Your Highness has learned very well. It's already quite good that you could do this on your first try. With another month of practice, you won't be impolite when you have an audience with the emperor."
Originally feeling smug, thinking that palace rules were nothing special, Sun Miaoqing immediately asked after hearing Aunt Lanruo's words, "Aunt Lanruo, is there some other trick to this?"
Aunt Lanruo said, "Your Highness may not know this, but the Emperor and Empress Dowager value rules the most, so everyone in the palace has a discerning eye."
"For the young masters, the three kneelings and nine kowtows are extremely solemn etiquette. It is a grand ceremony that is only performed on specific occasions or for the most honored person."
Therefore, there are specific techniques to how to straighten your back, how high to raise your hands, the rhythm of your movements, and even your gaze.
"My lady, you can take your time with everything else, but you must study this carefully."
Linglan looked puzzled. She never expected that becoming a concubine in the palace would mean learning how to kowtow, just like a servant.
Sun Miaoqing said, "I understand. Please give me more guidance, Aunt."
Aunt Lanruo said, "Since Your Highness is so eager to learn, I will certainly teach you everything I know."
"Speaking of which, Miss Rose and Miss Lily of the Valley should put more effort into learning how to perform the proper etiquette."
“I entered the palace at a young age and served there for three or four years before I finally learned how to kneel.”
(This was said by an old eunuch from the Qing Dynasty. It took several years after entering the palace to learn how to kneel. The rules there must have been terrifying.)
Rose and Lily of the Valley looked at each other in surprise. Lily of the Valley couldn't help but say, "It takes three or four years to learn how to kneel. The rules in the palace are so strict."
Aunt Lanruo said with a smile, "The majesty of the imperial family is naturally extraordinary."
Sun Miaoqing looked at her knees, then at the sun outside.
The thought that there were still several hours before dinner, and that dinner would not be just about eating but also about practicing the rules of dining, made him feel dizzy and wished he could lie on the ground and do a rabbit kicking an eagle.
But if one doesn't learn the essence and becomes like Xia Dongchun, entering the palace will likely be even more difficult.
Putting everything else aside, if Da Ju (the eldest daughter) is determined, she can punish her by making her kneel at the palace gate to teach her a lesson for not learning the rules properly. What can she do then?
Or should we prepare a few easy kneeling positions first?
... ...
Originally, Sun Miaoqing thought she could relax for a few days before entering the palace, but under Aunt Lanruo's guidance, she lost more than ten pounds, her double chin disappeared, and her whole body became much more three-dimensional.
At Aunt Lanruo's request, Sun Miaoqing had to use a flower oil made from more than a dozen kinds of fresh flowers to condition her hair every two days.
Every night, when I take a bath, I add a basin of milk and the finest rose juice to the water.
Before going to bed, I have to apply several kinds of perfumed balms all over my body, so that my whole body is soaked in the fragrance.
The day before she entered the palace, Aunt Lanruo applied fragrant ointment to her body and looked at the results of her efforts over the past period with a gratified expression.
Sun Miaoqing strongly suspected that Da Pang Ju had given her various hints before she came!
However, considering that her skin had become much fairer and her appearance had improved significantly, Sun Miaoqing felt that the hardships she had endured these past few days were not unacceptable.
After all, what woman doesn't want to become more beautiful!
There are truly no ugly women, only lazy women. She was beautiful to begin with!
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