Before entering the palace, Chu Qing asked Luoluo if she wanted to go along.
Luoluo naturally agreed.
After all, during the previous two visits to the palace, because the Prince of Ning, Wei Ying, was with her, Chu Qing didn't take Luoluo. This time, Chu Qing intended to take Luoluo to gain some experience.
"Your Ladyship..." While Chu Qing was resting against the soft pillow in the carriage, she was awakened by Luoluo's timid voice.
"What's the matter?"
Chu Qing lazily raised her eyes and looked at Luoluo.
"This servant... this is my first time entering the palace... I'm a bit scared... I've heard that... if you accidentally offend someone, you might lose your head..." Luoluo pouted aggrievedly.
When she was asked if she wanted to enter the palace, she was full of energy. But now, even before entering the palace gate, she was already so timid.
Moreover, where did this little girl read such nonsense in the storybooks!
Accidentally offend someone and lose your head!
She herself had offended quite a few people before! And she hadn't lost her head!
Hmm... No, the first person she offended was the Empress. After the Empress became the Grand Empress Dowager, not only in the harem but also many court officials had been scolded and offended by her.
However, no one dared to say anything about her...
Chu Qing sighed silently, reached out and pinched Luoluo's chubby cheeks, and said seriously:
"Remember, when entering the palace, walk looking straight ahead. Don't look around randomly. If you need to pay respects to the concubines in the palace, I will naturally remind you. But since I am the Princess of Ning of the current dynasty, apart from the Emperor, the Empress, and the Grand Empress Dowager, to whom you need to perform grand salutes, for the rest, you only need to follow me and silently curtsy. Also, when any of the masters in the palace talk to you, don't look them in the eye. Just glance at them and then lower your head to reply. Be generous, and no one will look down on you."
"Thank you, Your Ladyship, for your instructions!" After hearing what Chu Qing said, the stone in Luoluo's heart that had been hanging all the way finally landed.
Her mistress really knew everything!
Hey? Knew everything?
"Your Ladyship... Why do you seem so familiar with the palace? You've only come here twice in total." Luoluo asked curiously.
The light in Chu Qing's eyes dimmed, and then she closed her eyes again and replied softly:
"Maybe... I lived in the palace in my previous life, so I know these things without being taught."
Luoluo, who wanted to ask more, saw her mistress close her eyes again, so she obediently closed her mouth with a bit of regret.
...
When they arrived at the palace, a eunuch naturally came to greet them.
But the further they walked, the more Chu Qing felt something was wrong.
There was no place in the palace that she was not more familiar with.
"I'm afraid this is not the way to the Empress's palace." Chu Qing stopped and said coldly.
The leading eunuch let out a soft snort indifferently, turned his head and was about to perfunctorily answer as usual.
But after turning around, he was shocked by Chu Qing's sharp aura.
Fu Guier served in the Grand Empress Dowager's palace and had seen all kinds of people.
But this Princess of Ning was obviously different from before.
In the past, she was like a peony flower at the mercy of others.
But now, a single glance from her could make people feel like they were in a deep cave.
Fu Guier immediately lowered his eyes and replied respectfully: "Please forgive me, Princess of Ning. This servant was just following the order of the master to lead the Princess of Ning to the banquet. As for other things, this servant knows nothing. I hope the Princess of Ning will follow this servant with peace of mind."
Seeing that the other party didn't seem to be lying, Chu Qing didn't want to waste any more words with him. She simply responded with a grunt and motioned for him to continue leading the way.
Seeing that the other party didn't make things difficult for him, Fu Guier secretly let out a sigh of relief and then honestly continued to lead the way.
When they arrived, seeing the three big characters "Qiongyu Palace", Chu Qing understood that this was probably another Hongmen Banquet.
Qiongyu Palace was a place specially reserved for the concubines in the harem to hold banquets.
"Princess of Ning, we've arrived. This servant is not allowed to go in. The masters in the palace are all waiting. You can just go in directly." Fu Guier said meekly.
Chu Qing ignored him and stepped in.
...
"Will the Princess of Ning come today?"
"Why wouldn't she? The Grand Empress Dowager has said so herself."
"Tsk, after making a fool of herself last time, she still dares to come. Her face is really..."
"Shh! Keep your voice down!"
"What are you afraid of! I don't know why such an outstanding person like the Prince of Ning would marry such a timid and unrefined person as his princess! It's really a pity for our Prince of Ning!"
...
"The Princess of Ning has arrived!" The eunuch's announcement made everyone look towards the door in unison.
The Grand Empress Dowager also glanced over with a half - smile.
...
When Chu Qing walked into the palace, she attracted all kinds of looks.
Some people who saw Chu Qing for the first time were amazed by her beauty.
Those who saw her for the second time had looks of contempt, ridicule, or jealousy in their eyes.
But Chu Qing acted as if she didn't see them. She walked steadily towards the Grand Empress Dowager, bowed simply, and said:
"Chu Qing pays respects to the Grand Empress Dowager."
"Don't be so formal. Take your seat." The Grand Empress Dowager's eyes were obscure, but her tone was extremely gentle.
Chu Qing naturally sat on the right side of the Grand Empress Dowager.
Directly opposite her was the Empress, and the other concubines were seated in order of their ranks.
The Empress, Lan Wanyu, sent her an apologetic look, and Chu Qing replied with a smile to indicate that it was okay.
Even using her toenails to think, she knew that the Grand Empress Dowager had used the Empress's name to summon her into the palace. Presumably, she knew that she couldn't summon her directly.
In fact, if she had known that it was the Grand Empress Dowager who summoned her, she would have pretended to be sick immediately and wouldn't have come here to engage in false politeness with her "good daughter - in - law".
"The Princess of Ning really made us wait." Someone voluntarily became the Grand Empress Dowager's mouthpiece.
Chu Qing didn't give the speaker any look. She just replied unhurriedly: "This princess was just punishing some servants who didn't know the rules in the mansion, so I'm a bit late. Knowing that the Grand Empress Dowager is kind and won't blame me for this, I wasn't in a hurry. Otherwise, if I didn't handle things properly, I'm afraid I would make another fool of myself."
The Grand Empress Dowager gritted her teeth secretly and forced a smile that was uglier than crying: "This old woman naturally won't blame you. Let's start!"
Chu Qing smiled and raised her wine cup with the others.
After taking a sip of the wine, Chu Qing smacked her lips.
The wine in the palace was getting even lighter in taste.
It was not as mellow as the jar of wine she had randomly found in the warehouse of the Prince of Ning's mansion before.
"Since everyone has arrived, let's follow the old rules."
The Grand Empress Dowager gently put down her wine cup and spoke gracefully.
But Chu Qing could hear the almost excited tremor in her voice.
After hearing this, everyone looked at Chu Qing, who was silently complaining about why the Grand Empress Dowager was so excited all of a sudden, with different looks in their eyes.
Among the looks were mockery, contempt, and a bit of sympathy.
Just when Chu Qing was puzzled, Luoluo nervously tugged at the back of her clothes and whispered in an extremely soft voice:
"Oh no, Your Ladyship! They're going to do the same thing again!"