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墨書 Inktalez
To be honest, for people like He Yu, this kind of ritual is just a formality.
Standing outside, one could only hear the sounds from within and couldn't see anything. Fortunately, Xiao Yao didn't have much curiosity; as long as she followed everyone's movements in unison, that was enough.
It was unclear how long they had been standing under the sun when the crowd suddenly began to move. Xiao Yao followed suit but still wrinkled her nose and asked, "How long has it been?"
"About an hour and a half," He Yu replied while shielding her from the sun, also addressing her next question, "We're going to the Hall of Preserving Harmony to pay our respects. It shouldn't take too long, and then we can head to the Eastern Palace, where you can finally rest."
"Why do we have to go to the Hall of Preserving Harmony?"
"To serve tea..." He Yu explained.
"…Oh." Xiao Yao felt speechless. The so-called tea serving was merely for the emperor alone. Xiao Yao really wanted to say, "Your Majesty, can't you just come down to the Eastern Palace and do this together? Why must it be in two separate places? Is it just for fun?"
As it turned out, the emperor was indeed that willful.
Since there was no Empress Dowager or Queen, the only person receiving the tea was naturally Qidi. Looking up from a distance, she could vaguely see that Qidi was the only one sitting high above. The blazing midday sun seemed never to shine upon the dragon throne in that grand hall; an endless solitude and chill emanated from it.
Xiao Yao instinctively leaned closer to He Yu. He Yu slightly turned his head and asked, "What's wrong?"
"…Nothing." Xiao Yao felt a bit awkward and didn't know how to explain.
However, He Yu seemed to automatically understand that Xiao Yao was feeling a bit tired from standing for too long. After all, she wasn't in good health and was pregnant. Thinking of this made He Yu feel a bit anxious, and he hurriedly asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm fine." Xiao Yao shook her head.
Yet He Yu didn't relax at all after hearing this; instead, he became even more tense. "If you feel uncomfortable at all, you must tell me. Don't push yourself, okay?"
Xiao Yao nodded and opened her mouth to comfort He Yu so he wouldn't be so nervous. Just then, not far ahead, Fourth Prince's indifferent voice rang out with a hint of mockery, "Tsk tsk, the prince really loves his wife; even at this moment, he still remembers to ask if she's cold."
"Annoying!"
Xiao Yao glared fiercely at Yang Yunzhe, "Can you say a little less? Will it kill you?!"
Yang Yunzhe was taken aback by Xiao Yao's bold glare, seemingly unable to believe that anyone besides his mother and father would dare to look at him with such rebellious impatience. Yang Yunzhe chuckled lightly, just about to respond when He Yu lazily said, "My lady has always had a poor constitution. As her husband, should you not care for your Daughter-in-law? Or do you intend to care for the Fourth Prince's Consort Prince?"
He Yu's words drew a round of suppressed laughter from those around them. Yang Yunzhe's face turned red and pale in turns, while Sun Ruoxue, standing beside him, remained silent as if she were completely nonexistent, not even offering a comforting touch to Yang Yunzhe. In fact, at the moment He Yu spoke, Sun Ruoxue's indifferent expression as the future Fourth Prince's Consort made it seem like He Yu was addressing someone irrelevant; her gaze remained unchanged and wooden.
Xiao Yao couldn't help but take a couple more curious glances at the two across from her; their complete lack of interaction was rather strange.
"What’s wrong?" He Yu asked upon noticing Xiao Yao's actions.
"Nothing." Although she still had her doubts, Xiao Yao felt it best not to stir up trouble at this moment, especially since it was the Crown Prince's wedding—causing a scene would not reflect well.
After hearing this, He Yu made no further moves and continued to observe the ceremony.
However, they had barely settled down when the tea ceremony concluded, and the group once again made their way toward the Eastern Palace.
Ultimately, it was just the banquet segment left. During this time, several officials or their families found reasons to leave early. He Yu then asked Xiao Yao, "If you're tired, you can head back first; there’s still some time to go later tonight."
Xiao Yao thought for a moment and shook her head. "It's fine; I'm okay. I'll go back with you. After all, I have a good relationship with Su Hong. If I leave early, who knows what people might say."
In this world, there are always those few who can't stand you and are eager to find fault.
"Alright," He Yu replied after hearing Xiao Yao's words and did not insist on her leaving first. He simply patted her head and said, "If you feel tired later, just let me know. I'll find someone to take you back. Don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
"Mm, I understand," Xiao Yao nodded.
After arriving at the Eastern Palace, the waiting area for men and women was separated. He Yu expressed his concerns and, seeing Xiao Yao respond affirmatively, he finally let them go. Yun Zhu smiled as she supported Xiao Yao, carefully moving forward, worried that Xiao Yao might accidentally step on something slippery. However, she kept chatting, "Looking at the entire capital, it's clear that the prince and princess are the most affectionate couple. Many ladies are quite envious today!"
"What nonsense," Xiao Yao chuckled, lightly tapping Yun Zhu's arm. "You all just take advantage of my presence to say whatever you want. It's one thing to talk like this at home, but outside? Aren't you a bit shameless?"
Yun Zhu widened her eyes in surprise. "Why should we be ashamed? It's a good thing that the prince and princess are affectionate; there's nothing to be ashamed of."
Xiao Yao shook her head with a smile. "There are many ways to show affection. How do you know that other couples in different households aren't affectionate? Some are just more reserved; the prince is more open about it, while others are different."
"Oh," Yun Zhu obediently fell silent and helped Xiao Yao into the women's courtyard.
The courtyard was already filled with groups chatting together. Upon seeing Xiao Yao arrive, they all stood up to greet her, except for the wife of the Eldest Prince, who did not need to bow. Xiao Yao smiled and returned the greeting, taking a quick glance around; most of them were ladies from various households, and of course, the princesses from the palace would not appear here.
However, Xiao Yao found it strange; it seemed that the current Sovereign had no daughters?
In the days she had been here, she hadn't seen a single princess, which struck her as odd. Of course, she wouldn't ask such questions at this moment; it would be better to hold off until after the event and then ask the prince when they returned home.
Xiao Yao walked towards the upper seat where the Grand Prince Consort approached with a smile, taking her hand and saying, "I've heard much about you, sister-in-law. I just never had the chance to meet you until today. You truly are quite beautiful!"
Having her hand held by this woman was certainly not comfortable, and Xiao Yao noticed that the Grand Prince Consort's hands didn't seem as delicate as her face. Oh wait, actually her face wasn't that delicate either; it was just heavily made up. Xiao Yao thought expressionlessly.
Xiao Yao calmly withdrew her hand with a slight smile and said, "Sister-in-law is too kind. I initially intended to visit you earlier after my marriage into the prince's household, but I was overwhelmed by everything being so unfamiliar. It was my oversight. I hope sister-in-law can forgive me."
Returning your words back to you without missing a beat; let's see how you respond next. Xiao Yao thought maliciously.
At that moment, she suddenly realized that under He Yu's influence, she had indeed become quite mischievous.
Well, that's good; at least I'm not being bullied anymore. Xiao Yao thought while raising an eyebrow at the woman in front of her whose face was caked with thick makeup. Xiao Yao vaguely remembered seeing something in a media article in her past life about how many ancient cosmetics contained heavy metals like lead.
Is it really okay to put that heavy metal on your face? Could it be toxic? Xiao Yao looked curiously at the woman in front of her.
However, thinking about it, people in ancient times probably didn't understand the concept of heavy metals, so Xiao Yao let it go.
The woman across from Xiao Yao seemed a bit taken aback by the question and appeared somewhat embarrassed, standing still. Xiao Yao noted that her makeup was so thick that it was hard to tell if her expression changed.
However, the woman reacted quickly and immediately said, "Sister really knows how to speak; no wonder the prince dotes on you so much."
"Not at all," Xiao Yao smiled and subtly took two steps back. She was joking; the woman in front of her had heavy metals on her face, and she was currently pregnant. She certainly didn't want to give birth to a deformed child.
Grand Prince Consort Yu had been navigating the royal court for many years, so she could sense Xiao Yao's emotions. However, some things were just unavoidable. A bitter smile appeared in her heart, but there was nothing she could do about it.
The two exchanged some pleasantries before Xiao Yao finally sat down in a chair. Once seated, she couldn't help but let out a long sigh; after standing for so long, she realized her feet were really sore.
Yun Zhu noticed this and thought that she would need to give the princess a good foot soak tonight and then massage her; otherwise, she would feel uncomfortable again when she got up early tomorrow. While thinking this, Yun Zhu planned to send Yun Bi to find the tea servant to prepare some tea for the princess.
At that moment, a palace maid approached with a teacup. Yun Zhu frowned and was about to refuse when she noticed that this tea was different from what others had. The maid placed the tea down respectfully and said, "This is what the Crown Prince specifically instructed; since the princess doesn't like regular tea, we prepared fruit tea made with seasonal fruits and red dates."
Upon hearing this, Yun Zhu stopped moving. This was exactly the kind of tea the princess usually drank at home.
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