"Where are the dumplings? Are they all wrapped yet? Oh dear, I've already told you, different dumpling fillings should be kept separate. How can His Majesty eat the same things as the ministers?"
"Can't you use your brain before you do things?!"
"These foreigners have never tried Nanyang dumplings before. We should let them experience Nanyang dumplings."
"Where's the plum blossom wine? Quickly fill the wine jug with plum blossom wine and warm it up beforehand!"
The head stewardess paced anxiously back and forth. A fire was burning in the imperial kitchen, and the temperature inside was very high. The chefs in charge of cooking all looked anxious and were drenched in sweat.
Not only must the food and drinks be prepared, but they must also be categorized so that different dishes are served to different adults, and the dishes are served according to the person's status.
Inside the imperial kitchen, there was a constant clattering and clanging of bowls and plates, creating quite a lively atmosphere.
...
Inside the Imperial Wardrobe, the head of the Imperial Wardrobe held a needle and thread in her hand, squinting as she carefully examined the bright yellow palace dress.
"This is the bright yellow dragon robe His Majesty is wearing tonight. Examine carefully the dragon embroidered with gold and colored threads, as well as the pattern."
The head of the palace and the head maid were also covered in sweat. Originally, His Majesty's palace attire should have been delivered to the Zichen Palace three days in advance. However, after the garment was completed, the Ministry of Rites said that many of the patterns on it did not conform to regulations and would make foreign friends uncomfortable. Therefore, they had to revise it overnight.
"And check the court beads hanging on your chest carefully," said the head maid of the Shanggong branch.
"Yes, Lady Shanggong."
...
At the entrance of the Nanyang Imperial Palace, the Vice Minister of Rites, wrapped in a thick cloak, shivered and directed the soldiers on the city wall and in front of the city gate.
"It's tilted, it's tilted, a little to the right."
The Vice Minister of Rites gestured with his hands and shouted loudly, but the howling north wind drowned out his voice.
"I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about the road signs!"
This road sign had never been posted in the palace before, so everyone found it very novel and couldn't help but glance at it a few more times while it was being hung up.
The road sign consisted of two parts: a large arrow and a sign with the name of the palace.
It is said that this was the idea of the Ninth Princess, who was in charge of the coming-of-age ceremony. She said that these road signs should be posted on the palace walls and roads so that foreign envoys could find the location of each palace.
The Nanyang royal palace was so large that even the palace maids and eunuchs on duty that day were probably too busy to handle everything. Foreign envoys and the crown prince could then follow these signs to find Anqing Palace.
"Be careful, these are road signs written by a Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy, there are no extras!"
Jiang Shi, the Vice Minister of Rites, watched the soldiers hanging the road signs clumsily and wished he could do it himself.
"Has the Imperial Household Department not sent over the portrait of the Ninth Princess yet?" After the road signs were hung up, there was another important task: hanging up the portrait of the Ninth Princess.
"What time is it? If it's not delivered soon, it will be too late."
The Vice Minister of Rites looked at the sun in the sky, then at the dust rising in the distance; a procession of envoys' carriages had already arrived.
"Sir, is this okay? Is it still crooked?"
The soldiers on the city wall asked the Vice Minister of Rites for his opinion.
"It's not crooked anymore, it's not crooked anymore."
"My lord, the portrait of the Ninth Princess has arrived!"
A young man dressed as an official, wearing an official hat, ran over carrying several scrolls.
He ran so fast that he dropped his official hat on the ground without even picking it up.
"Quickly, post it at the palace gate."
A large portrait of Yun Duoduo was posted at the palace gate, with a line of words on the right welcoming envoys from various countries to attend her coming-of-age ceremony.
...
Inside the Prince Rui's mansion, Yun Shaoyuan and Yun Shaomu were already dressed and stood in front of the mirror, carefully looking at themselves.
"Brother, this mirror isn't very clear. Turn around so I can see you."
Yun Shaomu felt that the bronze mirror did not reflect people very clearly, so he would rather look at his elder brother directly, where he could see him more clearly.
The two were wearing the same style of robe today, and since twins look alike, looking at each other was the same as looking at themselves.
"Hehehe..." Yun Shaomu laughed, clutching his stomach.
"What are you laughing at?" Yun Shaoyuan asked, somewhat at a loss.
"Brother, you have food stuck in your teeth!"
Yun Shaoyuan quickly grabbed a mirror to look at his teeth, and there was indeed a green vegetable leaf on his two front teeth.
This morning, the two of them ate steamed buns with vegetables and meat. Yun Shaoyuan thought that he must not have rinsed his mouth clean enough. He would rinse his mouth more often next time.
I can't let my second brother see me make a fool of myself.
"Okay." After cleaning the vegetable leaves out of their mouths, the two stood facing each other.
This time it was Yun Shaoyuan's turn to laugh. He said, "Second brother, stop laughing. Shut your mouth. Your two tiger teeth are different from mine."
"But second brother, your two canine teeth are really cute." Yun Shaoyuan tilted his head and looked at Yun Shaomu.
Upon hearing that he was associated with the word "cute," Yun Shaomu was so frightened that he quickly covered Yun Shaoyuan's mouth.
"Brother, how can you describe us, men of steel, with the word 'lovable'?!"
"Don't say that again!"
Yun Shaomu glared angrily at Yun Shaoyuan. He couldn't let the tough guy image he had worked so hard to build be ruined like this.
The two argued and quarreled for a while longer before Shangguan Qin'er came in and dragged them out of the mansion. Prince Rui, Yun Yibo, was already waiting at the mansion gate. The group boarded a carriage and headed towards the palace.
...
Inside Fu Shuang Palace, the Shangyi Bureau delivered the new clothes that Yun Duoduo would be wearing today.
"Ah, Granny, we've come to change the little princess into her new clothes."
The head of the Imperial Wardrobe said to Granny Liu.
The head of the Imperial Clothing Bureau had a smile on her face, but she was already holding her breath inside.
When she went to Zichen Palace earlier, she had already been subtly criticized by the people there, who said that she had delivered the clothes late, causing everyone in Zichen Palace to be busy and anxious.
She was bullied on her first job of the morning, so she was naturally in a bad mood when she came to Fu Shuang Palace.
Just as Granny Liu was about to say why the princess's clothes had taken so long to arrive, and that the people from Fushuang Palace had urged them several times, she noticed that the head maid's smile was forced and swallowed her words.
Today is an important day for the princess; it would be best to avoid causing any trouble.
"It's this one inside the box." The head of the Imperial Wardrobe handed the box to Granny Liu.
"Please trouble you, Granny, to help the little princess change."
"Okay." Granny Liu took the box containing the clothes, took out the clothes, and laid them flat on the table.
Granny Liu held one sleeve, while the other nannies checked the collar, lapels, and trouser legs, feeling them carefully.
Other palace maids and nannies also gathered around to help Granny Liu check the clothes.
"Check carefully, especially around the stitches, to make sure there aren't any needles or sharp objects hidden inside."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
