"Didn't the Empress say she was already prepared?" He Lianqi asked, raising his eyebrows.
"I'm just lacking in etiquette! Really!" Dongfang Yi promised earnestly.
Looking at the cute look of the woman in front of him, the corners of his mouth twitched into an almost imperceptible smile. His heart was like a calm lake into which a small stone had been dropped, with ripples spreading out in circles.
Seeing his expression soften, Dongfang Yi let out a long sigh of relief.
She thought to herself, Why is he even checking on me? Is the visit of the Southern Neighboring Country really that important?
After He Lianqi left, she finally asked, "How come I didn't know there was such a thing as etiquette?"
Donghua just helplessly rubbed her forehead and replied, "Your Majesty was so busy today. I originally planned to tell you after dinner. Who would have thought the Emperor would come."
...
After she finished dinner, Donghua began to talk about the etiquette she needed to know for the foreign tribute in the court.
For example, when facing the envoys from the Southern Neighboring Country, she should bow slightly to show gratitude and stand two steps behind and to the right of the Emperor to receive the envoys.
Her demeanor should be generous, and her appearance should show the aura of a superior...
All in all, after listening to it all, Dongfang Yi felt that it was too complicated!
Moreover, it was all about details. It was simply impossible to remember everything clearly in one night.
She couldn't help but think to herself again, Isn't it just a small country coming to court? Why are there so many rules? She clearly remembered that in TV shows, in such situations of tribute, the Empress just needed to stand still!
After thinking this, a hint of anxiety appeared on her face, and she couldn't help but worry about the court session the next day.
"It's simply impossible to remember it all!" she said a little desperately.
Donghua just smiled at her and said, "Your Majesty need not worry. I've already anticipated this!"
"All you need to do during the court session is to keep silent and just smile, and then nod when the envoys say they pay respects to Your Majesty." she said rather confidently.
She had long anticipated that the Empress couldn't remember such complicated etiquette in one night. The reason she didn't mention it until after dinner was because she was confident enough.
After hearing this, Dongfang Yi excitedly patted the shoulder of the woman beside her and said, "I knew you were great, Donghua!"
She let out a long sigh of relief. Fortunately, there was Donghua. Otherwise, if she made any mistakes or made a fool of herself during the court session, the first person to come after her would definitely be the Empress Dowager.
Just thinking of the stern look on the Empress Dowager's face when scolding someone made her break out in a cold sweat on her back.
"However, Your Majesty still needs to look through the etiquette a few more times. At least don't step on any taboos." Donghua reminded her.
Dongfang Yi quickly agreed several times and then ran to her bed and lay down.
Since she already roughly knew those etiquettes and also knew she didn't need to know too much.
All she had to do was smile, nod, and keep silent. She was sure she could handle it well.
Thinking of this, she closed her eyes and prepared to go to sleep with peace of mind.
Donghua beside her shook her head and looked at the woman in front of her helplessly. Her lips moved a few times as if she wanted to say something more, but in the end, she said nothing and silently backed out of the room.
She slept soundly without any dreams all night, and soon it was the next day.
Before it was fully dawn, Dongfang Yi was forcibly woken up by Donghua's urgent shouts.
She glanced out of the window and found that the sky was still a bit dark, so she wanted to lie down and take another nap.
"Your Majesty, get up quickly. We need to go to the court session today. You need to dress up and do your hair!" Donghua frowned and shouted loudly.
She was really convinced by the woman in the bed. She had gone to bed so early last night, but she still looked so reluctant to get up today.
Dongfang Yi's originally drowsy mind gradually became clear after hearing the words "court session".
Right, she still had to go to the court session today.
Immediately, she sat up straight and looked in the direction of the dressing table. Sure enough, she saw that heavy robe and headdress like a thousand - jin weight.
She let out a long sigh and then resignedly got out of bed.
After simply eating two pieces of dim sum, she was forced to sit in front of the dressing table.
Behind her, Donghua and Xiaoqian both stroked their chins and muttered, "What kind of hair bun would make her look more noble?"
Dongfang Yi thought to herself that as long as it was light, it would be okay, but after seeing the headdress on the table, she completely gave up.
No matter what kind of hair bun she had, as long as she put on that headdress, her neck would surely break.
After thinking this, she rolled her eyes at the mirror.
"Let's do the coiled - dragon hair bun!" Xiaoqian said.
"I heard that the coiled - dragon hair bun is the most noble one."
Donghua also nodded in agreement.
Although Dongfang Yi didn't understand, just hearing the name made her know how gaudy it would be. Immediately, she said, "Do it quickly. What if we're late for the court session?"
After hearing this, the two behind her immediately got busy. Soon, the hair bun was done.
She looked at the hair bun in the mirror that was even taller than her head.
"Do I really have to go to the court session like this?" she asked a little desperately.
But Donghua and Xiaoqian had already run to the side to pick up that court robe and were about to put it on her.
After everything was ready.
The two looked at the woman in front of them with satisfied expressions and shouted in unison, "Your Majesty is so beautiful!"
Dongfang Yi felt the pressure coming from all directions on her body. She could only straighten her back and force herself to get used to the weight.
Looking at the time again, she didn't even have time to change her outfit even if she wanted to.
She couldn't help but think of Concubine Chu. She wore the same kind of headdress every day, and her clothes were also full of ornaments. She really didn't know how that small body of hers could withstand it.
After thinking this, she helplessly sighed and thought to herself that it was just one day. What could be difficult for her, Dongfang Yi!
So Dongfang Yi was supported by Donghua onto the carriage going to the Qianqing Palace.
Today, she was going to step into the Golden Throne Hall side by side with He Lianqi and sit on the most noble seat while the hundreds of officials paid their respects.
When the two arrived at the Qianqing Palace, He Lianqi was already fully dressed and ready to go. He turned around and saw the woman at the palace gate.
Today, although Dongfang Yi was extremely gorgeously dressed, she still wore light makeup. There was a peony flower decoration between her eyebrows. The blood - red color carried a hint of charm. And because of her somewhat innocent face, she looked charming but not coquettish.
He Lianqi had never seen Dongfang Yi like this before. He couldn't help but be amazed.
But seeing her struggling to support her gold and pearl phoenix headdress with one hand, he always felt a little funny.
The corners of his mouth curved into an arc, and even the coldness between his eyebrows disappeared. Those who saw him felt as if they were bathed in the spring breeze.
"Your humble servant pays respects to the Emperor."
Dongfang Yi bowed slightly and said so. Her hands were still slightly raised for fear that her headdress would fall off. She couldn't even focus her eyes and was secretly looking at her clothes for fear of stepping on them and falling.
"The Empress today..."
"Is extremely beautiful."