SFS Chapter 128 Entering the Palace by Imperial Decree!
Chapter 128 Entering the Palace by Imperial Decree!
No one in the Mu family expected that it would be the Empress Dowager who issued an edict summoning Li Shi to bring Mu Xin Nuan into the palace.
"Anuan, go back and prepare early. You will be going to the palace with your mother early tomorrow morning."
"Yes, Grandfather, then Ah Nuan will take her leave now."
After everyone in the front hall had left, Mu Chang'an asked with some concern, "Father, what do you think?"
The old man shook his head. "What's meant to be will be! Fortunately, A-Nuan is still young, so the Empress Dowager won't have any other thoughts. I've heard that the Empress has been selecting a consort for the Fourth Prince lately?"
"The Fourth Prince is born to the Empress, and he is the Crown Prince's half-brother. His status is extremely noble. Moreover, although the Fourth Prince is young, he has been personally taught by the Emperor. Whether in civil administration or martial arts, he is no less capable than the Crown Prince."
Mu Chang'an was startled; his father's words were far too easy to be misinterpreted!
"Alright, you don't need to worry too much. Let's just take it one step at a time. Fortunately, we have always been strict with A-Nuan, and her manners and etiquette are impeccable. If she were to go out, people would believe she is the legitimate daughter of the Duke's mansion! I think there shouldn't be any problems with her with the Empress Dowager tomorrow."
"Yes, father."
Even so, you should still go and talk to her again tonight. Just don't scare her too much! After all, she's still just a child.
"Yes, Father. Your son has remembered."
The next morning, Mu Xinyao stood timidly at the second gate, secretly watching Li Shi hold Mu Xinnuan's hand and get into the carriage together. The jealousy in her eyes was so intense that she wished she could burn Mu Xinnuan in front of her! It would be best if she could burn a thousand holes in her body!
Mu Xin Nuan could naturally sense the jealous gaze behind her, but she simply smiled and pretended not to notice.
Entering the palace is naturally different from visiting other residences; there are many rules to follow. Upon arriving at the palace gate, we disembarked from the carriage and walked for about several dozen feet before seeing two sedan chairs parked there.
It turned out that the Empress Dowager had sent people to carry a sedan chair, granting them special permission to enter the palace in one. This was an immense favor! Just from this, it wasn't hard to see how much the Empress Dowager valued the two women. Of course, whether this was specifically for the Zhenguo General's Mansion or for Mu Xin Nuan was another matter.
The Empress Dowager resided in Ronghua Palace. When Mu Xin Nuan and Lady Li arrived, they saw that every few steps, a palace maid stood on the corridor. Some stood there, waiting for their mistress's orders, some carried trays, and others tended to the flowers and plants for the Empress Dowager. Each had their own specific duty. This demonstrated the numerous rules and regulations within the palace.
The two waited in the corridor, and a palace servant went in to report. Soon after, a eunuch came out and led them inside.
Mu Xin Nuan's claim of not being nervous is obviously a lie!
Although she had achieved the position of Lady of a Marquis's Mansion in her previous life, she was still an outsider and had no relatives in the palace, so her opportunities to enter the palace were naturally few! What's more, the person they were going to see today was the Empress Dowager!
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager, may the Empress Dowager enjoy good health and happiness."
The Empress Dowager quickly told her to rise and had someone offer her a seat before smiling and saying, "So you are Lanxin from the Li family?"
Lady Li hurriedly rose and curtsied, "Your Majesty, it is indeed me."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, "Please sit down. There aren't so many formalities here. Otherwise, if you have to bow every time you reply, how can we have a conversation?"
"Yes, Queen Mother."
"Is this young lady Mu Nuan?" The Empress Dowager's voice sounded somewhat old, but it was still quite strong!
"Your Majesty, it is indeed me."
"Good child, get up quickly and come to me so I can take a good look at you. This little girl who can come up with the idea of making a set of furniture by hand, doesn't she also have a pair of eyes and a pair of hands? Look at all you people talking about her to me all day long, you're practically making her out to be a three-headed, six-armed being."
Mu Xin Nuan did not respond, her head slightly lowered. She did not know what kind of person the Empress Dowager was, and in fact, she had never met the Empress Dowager in her previous life! If she remembered correctly, the Empress Dowager had passed away this year! In her previous life, she was immersed in the grief of losing her mother at this time, so how could she have had the opportunity to enter the palace?
Therefore, she was unsure whether the Empress Dowager's words were simply meant to tease her or were actually meant to satirize her.
"Your Majesty, look at this child, you've frightened him to death."
Mu Xin Nuan heard a rather clear female voice and then noticed that, in Ronghua Palace, besides the Empress Dowager, there were other noble women.
"Really? Hehe, alright, it's been a long time since I've seen such a small child, so I was a little too happy. Mu Xin Nuan, did I scare you?"
"Your Majesty, your voice is soft and gentle, so naturally I will not be frightened."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager chuckled, "You certainly know how to talk. Come here, let me take a good look at you."
Helpless, Mu Xin Nuan could only take a few steps forward to the steps in front of the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager beckoned to her again, signaling her to come up. Mu Xin Nuan hesitated for a moment, then slightly raised her head and saw a pretty young woman sitting on a soft stool next to the Empress Dowager. She nodded to her.
Only then did Mu Xin Nuan muster her courage and approach.
The Empress Dowager took in her actions and glances, and nodded secretly, thinking, "She knows her manners!"
"What a beautiful and delicate young lady! I'm immediately drawn to her. Look at her eyes and brows, so full of scholarly air! Does she enjoy reading?"
"Your Majesty, I was just reading casually because I had nothing else to do."
"What books have you been reading?" The Empress Dowager smiled gently, her complexion remarkably good despite being over sixty years old.
The Empress Dowager held her hand, and they asked and answered questions intermittently for nearly a quarter of an hour.
"Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince has come to pay his respects."
"Oh, it's Chuze! Quickly, let him in! That little rascal, we can never find him usually, but today he's showing some filial piety."
The Empress Dowager's voice had barely faded when a clear, yet slightly sinister, voice rang out. "Whom is Grandmother referring to? It seems I just overheard you speaking ill of me."
After the person entered, she glanced at everyone and then laughed, "Grandmother, this is not a very fair thing to do! You actually spoke ill of your grandson in front of the little beauty! Is it because you don't want your grandson to find a wife?"
The Empress Dowager chuckled, "You little rascal, you've made it all my fault! Please sit down. These are the lady and young lady of the Mu family, don't frighten them."
Li Shi and Mu Xin Nuan naturally bowed obediently. The woman chuckled, "Fourth brother's mouth is getting sharper and sharper! You even dare to tease the Empress Dowager!"