Xiao Jinyu is now the second-in-command of the Imperial Guards, second only to Xiao Xuheng, the commander of the Imperial Guards.
He simply smiled at Xue Deyi, then turned back to stand guard seriously, vigilantly watching the surrounding movements.
Everything he has now is the result of his hard work, and he wants to protect it all.
Now, no one dares to laugh at him for being a bastard anymore. When he becomes stronger, he will ask His Majesty to decide whether to openly bring his mother to the Xiao family.
Xue De felt bored that Xiao Jinyu wasn't talking to him, so he muttered to himself, "Jinzhi is out on a mission, and you're standing guard here. Looks like I'll be the only one having fun tonight!"
...
Inside Anqing Palace, the ministers arrived one after another, and the eunuchs at the door called out loudly.
"The Left Prime Minister has arrived!"
Xue Guangjin walked in, followed by Xue Deyi, who was carrying a red spear.
"Grand Secretary Guan has arrived!"
Grand Secretary Guan walked in slowly, with Guan Guan supporting him from the side.
Guan Guan was dressed more glamorously than usual today. It was Duo Duo's coming-of-age ceremony, and she was truly happy for her, so she dressed much more brightly than usual.
"The Minister of Revenue has arrived!"
Minister of Revenue Kang Fuguo led his grandson Kang Qiming into Anqing Palace. Ever since his last recommendation of his grandson to be the emperor's son-in-law in front of the palace went nowhere, Kang Fuguo had been somewhat dispirited.
Kang Qiming helped Kang Fuguo to their seats. Kang Qiming was dressed very formally today, with a hair crown in the same color as his clothes, a jade pendant in the same color at his waist, and even the hand warmer he was holding was carefully matched.
He glanced at the young masters who were already seated and frowned.
It seems there are quite a few young men attending the coming-of-age ceremony.
However, I know Duo Duo's third brother, and we've known each other since childhood. It's different from what they have.
"Prince Rui, Princess Rui has arrived!"
Princess Rui led Yun Shaoyuan with her left hand and Yun Shaomu with her right, and walked in.
The two adorable children attracted the attention of many people as soon as they entered, especially the ministers who did not yet have children or grandchildren.
Princess Consort Shangguan Qin'er wore a brocade robe woven with colorful flowers and butterflies, and an overcoat of pink and blue embroidered peony cloak. She looked radiant and charming.
Princess Rui's dress is quite different from the dresses worn by women in Nanyang.
The collar, chest, cuffs, shoulders, and trouser hems of the garment are embroidered with various colorful threads to create floral patterns, and are adorned with colorful beads and sequins of various colors, making it very characteristic of Loulan.
Behind the three of them followed Yun Yibo. When Yun Yibo lived in the palace, he often visited Anqing Palace and was very familiar with the layout of Anqing Palace. As soon as he entered, he noticed the changes in Anqing Palace.
Where famous paintings used to hang, now they have been replaced with portraits of clouds.
My royal sister is truly beautiful!
"Shaoyuan, Shaomu, look!"
Yun Shaoyuan and Yun Shaomu looked up at the portrait of Yun Duoduo hanging on the wall. Yun Shaomu was very happy: "Ninth Aunt is so beautiful!"
"Ninth Aunt is the fairy mentioned in the book!"
As they were talking, the eunuch at the door continued to shout loudly, "Second Prince, Third Prince has arrived!"
The Second Prince, Yun Yizhong, wore a jade-colored cotton coat with dark gold bamboo leaf patterns, and an overcoat of a snow-white cloak with bamboo leaf patterns and trim.
Yun Yishu was still dressed in his usual unkempt manner, but today he was giving Yun Duoduo face by combing his hair into a bun instead of letting it fall haphazardly behind his head.
"Princess Jiaping has arrived!"
Jin Zhuangzhuang walked in, dressed in a light pink pearl and bird-patterned dress, with an exquisite kingfisher-feathered grass-head insect-inlaid silver hairpin, and a jade vine-flower pendant around her waist. Her eyes and brows were full of smiles, and she looked radiant.
A parrot and a quail perched on her shoulder. Both birds were gifts from Yun Yishu, and Jin Zhuangzhuang loved them dearly, taking them everywhere he went.
The parrot chattered away, and the quail quacked, seemingly bickering, which made the palace maids and eunuchs nearby cover their mouths and chuckle.
Upon hearing the announcement at the door, Yun Yishu turned around and looked at Jin Zhuangzhuang in front of him.
[This little idiot looked like a roast chicken when he was little, all wrinkled and scraggly, but now he's all grown up.]
It seems she really likes the bird I gave her!
...
One after another, many ministers arrived with their families to attend the banquet.
This coming-of-age ceremony for the Ninth Princess was a great opportunity for young men and women in the capital to meet. Ministers brought their sons, nephews, and cousins to the banquet. Their plan was simply that Yun Duoduo had taken a liking to a member of her family, so that she could rely on the royal family and rise to prominence.
The ministers who brought their daughters, nieces, nephews, and adopted daughters hoped that at the coming-of-age ceremony, which was a gathering of elites, a wealthy young man might take a liking to their daughter and they could arrange a marriage.
In short, this is a good opportunity to climb the social ladder.
...
The Anqing Palace was bustling with activity as foreign envoys entered the palace gates one after another, marveling at everything that was new and exciting.
Princess Shangguan Wanwan of Loulan and her envoys entered the palace gates. After the guards conducted a routine check on the ministers, they were allowed to pass. The eunuchs and palace maids leading the way respectfully guided them toward Anqing Hall.
"Is this the Ninth Princess of Nanyang?"
Large portraits of Yun Duoduo hang on the palace walls and the beams of the eaves. No matter where you go, as long as you look up, you can see Yun Duoduo's cheerful face.
"That's right," the palace maid replied.
As the group walked, they arrived at the main hall. Shangguan Wanwan noticed that the hall was magnificent and resplendent. There were six red inner pillars inside the hall, each carved with a lifelike golden dragon that coiled around it. Above the pillars were carved auspicious clouds, and below were carved blooming peonies.
The roof inside the hall is painted with patterns of various colors, showcasing the prosperity and flourishing of Nanyang.
The ground was covered with almost flawless white jade, inlaid with golden pearls from the East Sea, shaped like lotus flowers, and the gaps between the pieces of white jade were filled with gold.
Nanyang is truly magnificent!
The aisle was lined with fine purplish-black sandalwood tables, each with a red jade and gold candlestick and some cold dishes.
The red glass plate was filled with many fresh fruits she had never seen before.
She could almost smell the aged wine in the jade porcelain bottle with ruby patterns.
There were also rice cakes, sesame brittle, peanut brittle, peony cakes, and other sweet snacks with auspicious meanings served on a purple jade coral plate, which looked delicious.
Shangguan Wanwan was not originally a princess of the royal family, but because she grew up in the palace and was deeply favored by the current Empress Dowager of Loulan, she was given the title of Princess Pingyang.
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