After waiting outside the door for a while, a nanny with a smiling face arrived.
Approaching, she bowed slightly and greeted, “Your humble servant pays respects. May the Princess be well. The Empress Dowager and the princess have prepared some snacks and sugar figurines. Princess, please come inside.”
Her eyes were full of mockery, but Gu Qingluo pretended not to notice, simply nodding and following the nanny into the Empress Dowager’s palace.
Before entering the hall, she gave a quick glance around.
On both sides of the hall were arranged tables, eight on each side.
At the main seat sat a woman, about thirty-two or thirty-three years old, wearing a crimson and gold-embroidered skirt and jacket, her head adorned with pearls and jewels, exuding grandeur and elegance.
This was the current Empress Dowager, Lady Wang of Taiyuan.
Next to her sat a young girl not yet of age, her face full of disdain.
Upon reaching the hall, Gu Qingluo bowed: “Your humble servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager.”
Her practiced movement and greeting left both the nobles and servants present momentarily stunned.
The Empress Dowager had seen Gu Qingluo before; six years ago, when the eldest princess’s residence was selecting candidates, she had witnessed Gu Qingluo as the elder brother-in-law of Xiao Xingcang.
At that time, Xiao Xingcang’s condition was already severe, collapsing and unconscious for hours at a time.
The eldest princess had lost her elder brother six years prior, and now faced the pain of almost losing her youngest brother as well.
Anyone would have been unable to bear it.
In the end, with nowhere else to turn, they listened to a Taoist priest’s advice.
He suggested choosing a girl whose astrological chart matched that of the prince to counteract misfortune.
Who would have thought that the priest’s divination pointed to a girl with the intelligence of a three-year-old?
The Empress Dowager first saw Gu Qingluo that day.
Though she had the mind of a three-year-old, her appearance was exceptionally striking.
“She really is a fool; she doesn’t even bow to me,” a proud voice suddenly rang out in the quiet hall.
It immediately brought the Empress Dowager back from her brief distraction, and she scolded sharply: “How rude! The Princess is your elder and your aunt; you should bow to her!”
After pausing, the Empress Dowager rose from her seat, approached Gu Qingluo, and lightly touched her arm, then said, “Little sister-in-law, no need for too much formality. Please, sit.”
“Thank you for granting me a seat, Your Majesty.” The Empress Dowager didn’t mention the princess’s rudeness, and Gu Qingluo didn’t mind, following the nanny’s earlier advice to echo whatever the Empress Dowager said.
No sooner had she sat down than a servant brought tea.
In that brief moment, announcements rang out from outside the door: the Madam of the Qi family, accompanied by her granddaughter, had entered to pay respects; Lady Wang of Taiyuan had also brought her daughter to pay respects…
“Send them in,” the Empress Dowager said, her expression unreadable but her words tinged with subtle delight.
In the next moment, several people gradually entered from outside.
The women wore ceremonial robes, distinguished by colors according to rank.
The young ladies wore bright colors, blooming at the prime of youth, fully adorned.
Upon entering the hall, a woman of middle age led the group in a kneeling bow: “Your humble servants pay respects, Your Majesty.”
“Your humble servants pay respects, Your Majesty,” replied the young ladies.
The Empress Dowager sat upright, her gaze landing on a girl wearing a sunset-colored long-sleeved robe: “No need for formalities.”
“We thank Your Majesty,” they responded.
They rose, then bowed again toward the Empress Dowager’s lower seat: “Your humble servants pay respects, and wish the Princess well.”
“Your humble servants pay respects, and wish the Princess well.”
Gu Qingluo’s eyes flickered slightly as she scanned the group, lifting her hand lightly: “No need for so much formality. Please, take your seats.”
Although some were puzzled, no one showed it openly.
After expressing their thanks, each followed the maid who had led them in and took their places at their tables.
For this major event—selecting a consort for Xiao Xingcang’s eldest nephew—Gu Qingluo acted as if it had nothing to do with her, saying nothing.
This drew a few curious glances; the visiting noble girls occasionally looked her way.
It was their first time seeing Gu Qingluo, having only heard that the Princess was mentally limited and fond of sweets.
Today, she appeared calm, likely pacified with candy by the nanny and the Empress Dowager.
Once everyone was seated, fine teas and snacks were gradually served.
The conversation didn’t include Gu Qingluo, and she kept her eyes down.
After some time, the Empress Dowager suddenly turned her head and smiled toward the lower seat: “Each of you is outstanding. I can hardly take my eyes off you. Little sister-in-law, you are about the same age as them. Try to converse, compare your skills in music, painting, embroidery, and display your calligraphy.”
If not for the Empress Dowager mentioning her name, Gu Qingluo might have dozed off.
The palace fire was too warm, making one drowsy.
Pinching her palm, Gu Qingluo forced a bland smile: “Forgive me, Your Majesty, I have never studied books, and my embroidery skills are lacking. I dare not show my shame before Your Majesty and the other young ladies, lest the prince hears and says I am unworthy.”
Gu Qingluo was truly unskilled in embroidery.
She could control silver needles but not a sewing needle.
The Empress Dowager, still showing the care of a sister-in-law attending to her younger brother’s household, spoke slowly: “When you meet Eighteen later, I will have a proper talk with him. Now that he has recovered, he must be taught to practice calligraphy. And you must learn too, to manage the household accounts; if you cannot read, how will you manage the records?”
Gu Qingluo hadn’t anticipated this.
She thought, managing the household accounts?
Soon, it would be farewell forever.
Moreover, Xiao Xingcang, who had always soared like an eagle, would never stoop to teach her.
Thinking to speak, she was interrupted by the nanny: “Your humble servant neglected this. When the prince comes to fetch the Princess later, I will request that he prepare half of the study for her.”
Upon mentioning managing the household and literacy, the nanny’s eyes lit up.
Daily tutoring would speed the bonding between the male and female leads.
Hearing this, Gu Qingluo twitched her lips. If she had known, she would have prepared a poem.
Now, she was caught off guard by the nanny.
While she gave an awkward smile, the nanny who went to prepare ink and brushes returned: “Your Majesty, the young ladies’ materials are ready. Shall we begin?”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes swept over the young ladies at the lower seats, a smile in her gaze: “Let’s begin. Send for the Emperor and the Prince so they can see the young ladies’ calligraphy and paintings together.”
Finally, everyone’s attention was off Gu Qingluo, allowing her to relax.
“Your humble servant offers her poor work,” said the noble girls, standing to make their formal bows.
Gu Qingluo’s eyes darted around.
As expected of Kyoto’s noble girls, each was talented and beautiful.
Each had her own charm, like a hundred flowers blooming.
During the painting session, the hall was quiet. The Empress Dowager watched the noble girls working gracefully, nodding often.
After about half an hour, a noble girl finished and held her work up in the center of the hall: “Your humble servant Qi Wenyin offers her poor work.”
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, and a nanny stepped forward to take the painting.
Just as she did, a muffled sound came from beneath Qi Wenyin.
The sound was neither loud nor soft, but in the quiet hall it was unusually clear.
In the next moment, the hall filled with the smell of incense mixed with a sour stench.
The nanny nearest Qi Wenyin immediately drew a handkerchief to her nose, and then a series of similar sounds followed.
Gu Qingluo’s eyes were drawn to the girl from the Qi family, her face bright red, still struggling to hold back.
Suddenly, Qi Wenyin knelt on the spot, hastily apologizing: “Your humble servant is guilty. I beg the Empress Dowager and the Princess to punish me.”
The old madam of the Qi family turned pale, seeing her granddaughter kneel.
She rose and thought of a way out: “Your humble servant is guilty. I beg the Empress Dowager and the Princess to punish me.”
Gu Qingluo glanced at the main seat. Clearly, the Empress Dowager’s expression had darkened.
Narrowing her eyes, the Empress Dowager, hearing the continuous sounds and the increasingly strong sour smell, shouted angrily: “Qi girl, Qi Wenyin has behaved improperly in the hall. Drag her out and cane her twenty times.”
Gu Qingluo froze. Twenty canes?
Wouldn’t that be fatal?
Setting aside the punishment itself, Qi Wenyin had accidentally taken a double dose of laxative. Without treatment, she would bleed.