Princess Yunyang's favor was different from that of other members of the imperial clan; her carriage could enter the palace directly.
Princess's carriage was naturally luxurious and exceptionally comfortable, but An Ran had no time to appreciate it. After all, she was going to the palace to meet the Empress. Although she was only going to tell Jia Niang's story, An Ran still felt extremely nervous.
Throughout the journey, Princess Yunyang comforted her, telling her not to be nervous, and that the Empress was the most approachable person.
The carriage traveled all the way to the inner city before transferring to a sedan chair at the West Corner Gate. The sedan chair was carried by eunuchs to the Phoenix Palace, where the Empress resided.
The dark red palace walls stretched as far as the eye could see. Today the weather was clear and cloudless, and the golden glazed tiles shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, exuding a grand and majestic aura, unparalleled in nobility.
An Ran glanced at the bridge discreetly before getting into the sedan chair, concealing all her curiosity.
When the two arrived in their sedan chairs, Huan Yue, the Empress's personal steward, was already waiting at the palace gate.
"Greetings, Princess Yunyang." Huanyue greeted her with a smile and bowed to Princess Yunyang.
Princess Yunyang smiled and nodded.
"Is this Miss An Jiu?" Huan Yue looked at the girl standing behind Princess Yunyang. Even Huan Yue's eyes lit up at first sight; Miss An Jiu was truly stunning. Leaving aside her gentle, quiet, and graceful demeanor, her face alone was enough to win one's heart. "Just as the Princess said, Miss Jiu is truly beautiful!"
An Ran stepped forward with a smile and curtsied, saying, "You flatter me."
Seeing her poised and measured demeanor, Huan Yue couldn't help but look at her with higher regard. Although An Ran was only a concubine's daughter of the Marquis of Nan'an's family and had only been back in the mansion for a short time, her upbringing and demeanor were no less than those of the well-trained legitimate daughters of noble families.
Huan Yue led Princess Yunyang and An Ran inside, where the Empress was already waiting in the side hall.
Passing by the main hall, An Ran didn't dare to look up and examine it closely. At first glance, she only felt that it was magnificent and had a royal dignity and luxury.
The Empress's daily banquets and rests were held in a side hall.
There was only the Empress in the harem, and no concubines came to pay their respects to her. Therefore, the main hall was not used often. It was only used when receiving the homage of noblewomen or when summoning noblewomen.
Princess Yunyang and the Empress were like sisters, unlike others, so naturally they didn't need to follow the rules so strictly.
An Ran followed Princess Yunyang into the side hall. The palace maids in front of the door all squatted down to pay their respects. The little maid at the door smiled and lifted the curtain, announcing, "Princess Yunyang and the Ninth Miss of the Marquis of Nan'an's residence have arrived."
An Ran observed out of the corner of her eye that the palace maids were all dressed in delicate pink, and their tone was light and lively. She thought that the Empress must be a very kind person for her servants to be like that.
After passing the sixteen carved landscape screens made of huanghuali wood in the central hall, we arrived at another place for banquet.
An Ran lowered her head and secretly caught sight of a beautiful woman dressed in an apricot-yellow dress.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress." Princess Yunyang stepped forward and bowed, with Anran following closely behind.
She tried desperately to recall the etiquette that the nanny by the princess's side had taught her before she came, striving not to make any mistakes and not to embarrass Princess Yunyang.
"Rise quickly, no need for formalities." A gentle voice came from ahead.
Even if the Empress said that, they still had to express their gratitude and bow.
"This must be Ninth Sister of the An family?" the Empress said with a smile. "Yunniang has long praised you for your stunning beauty, which could make fish sink and geese fall from the sky. Raise your head and let me see you."
An Ran tried her best to control the tension and excitement in her heart. This was the first time in her two lifetimes that she had seen the legendary Empress Xiao Jin in person.
The Empress was dressed in an apricot-yellow palace gown, which made her skin appear even more like jade. Her hair was styled high in the clouds, adorned with a three-tailed, kingfisher feather-decorated phoenix hairpin with a single drop of tassel and a red gold phoenix hairpin with a long, flowing design. She wore a red gold phoenix hairpin with five pearls in its beak, making her look dignified and noble, so much so that no one dared to look directly at her.
At fifteen, she married Chu Tianshu, then the third son of the Duke of Dingguo's family. That same year, as the third mistress of the Duke of Dingguo's family, she was summoned to the palace by the then Emperor Yunxu and was granted the title of Princess Deqin overnight. The following year, Chu Tianshu's true identity as the third son of the Duke of Dingguo's family was revealed to be Yunshu, the heir of the former Crown Prince. After Yunshu seized the throne, she was made Empress.
She has been on the throne for ten years. During these ten years, countless beauties from all over the country have been presented to her. They were either given away by the emperor or directly returned by the emperor.
She was the sole favorite in the imperial harem for ten years and gave birth to three princes and one princess.
An Ran slowly raised her head, trying her best to make her movements appear calm and dignified.
What came into her view was a beautiful face, who looked to be in her early twenties. Her long tenure as empress had given her an air of nobility, and although she looked at An Ran with gentleness, her every move was still full of majesty.
"What a beautiful young lady." Xiao Jin looked at An Ran, whose demeanor was graceful and elegant, and whose temperament was serene and charming. Moreover, An Ran, who had been carefully dressed up by Princess Yunyang, was delicate and beautiful, as dazzling as a pearl in the morning dew.
An Ran hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and thanked the Empress, saying, "Your Majesty is too kind."
Xiao Jin looked at An Ran with a smile in her eyes. No wonder Lu Mingxiu was moved by such a pretty and charming girl.
She suddenly remembered that Yun Shu had mentioned to her this morning before going to court, saying that she wondered what kind of girl had captivated Lu Mingxiu. In the end, Yun Shu was still somewhat bothered by An Ran's identity.
“Your Majesty, it’s rare that Mingxiu likes him, why don’t you grant him his wish?” Xiao Jin had been supportive from the beginning. She smiled slightly and said, “When I married you, the whole capital thought I was not good enough for you!”
Yun Shu said with some displeasure, "How can she compare to you?"
“Yes, that young lady is much prettier and more charming than me.” Seeing that Yun Shu was about to frown, Xiao Jin quickly smiled and said, “Life is made by people. If two people are in love, they can live a harmonious and happy life.”
"Back then, I had never met you before, but Yun Xu's decree made me marry you." Xiao Jin's smile was as gentle and beautiful as it had been ten years ago. As she helped Yun Shu change into her court robes, she said, "Now Liu'er and the others are all so grown up, isn't that good?"
Yun Shu's expression softened slightly.
"This is probably the only good thing Yunxu has ever done."
“So, in my opinion,” Yun Shu helped Xiao Jin tie up a strand of hair that had fallen over his shoulder, and Xiao Jin leaned against him gently and said, “Why don’t you be a good person and grant Ming Xiu’s request? If you really feel that your status is not commensurate, then you can elevate An Jiu’s status and that will be fine.”
As long as it doesn't harm Xiao Jin, Yun Shu will grant Xiao Jin's every request.
"Yunniang brought her to the palace today, and I'll take a look first. If she is indeed a good match, I urge Your Majesty to issue an imperial decree to grant the marriage as soon as possible!" Xiao Jin seemed to remember something and couldn't help but smile. "Mingxiu has already asked my second brother, and my second brother has asked Yan Ge'er to come and speak to me on his behalf. It's not easy for Mingxiu to go to such lengths."
Yun Shu nodded.
"When I was first bestowed the title of Princess Deqin, didn't everyone in the capital secretly say that I was ungrateful and greedy for wealth and glory? While you were imprisoned, I used my status as a princess to act arrogantly and enjoy my riches—"
Upon hearing this, Yun Shu was reminded of those days, and her heart ached terribly. "Jin Niang, don't say anymore. Others may not know, but don't I know?"
“I know you believe me,” Xiao Jin hurriedly said. “You should also think about it. Although Miss An Jiu is currently embroiled in rumors, in the eyes of Marquis Pingyuan, he believes in Miss An Jiu just as you believed in me back then.”