Chapter 97: The Rules of Entering the Palace

Chapter 97: The Etiquette for the Palace Journey

"Yes, I made them for everyone in the family, young and old. They'll come in handy in a couple of days when we attend the palace banquet."

The hand muffs Mother mentioned were the same hand-warming fur pouches she used before. If she hadn't seen such a thing, she wouldn’t have thought of making gloves, would she?

Hearing her eldest daughter mention the palace banquet in a couple of days, Xu Shi’s smiling face turned serious.

"Your grandparents are getting older and can’t bear the physical strain of constant kneeling. I’ve already made our apologies to Her Majesty the Empress and secured exemption for the two elders from attending the banquet at the palace. But you three siblings are expected to attend. Be sure to practice all the necessary etiquette thoroughly, so you don’t commit any breaches of etiquette in front of others."

"Yes, Mother."

"I understand too, Mother."

"Mm, let’s go eat then. Your grandparents are probably already waiting over there."

"Mother, let me help you."

"Then I’ll help on the other side!"

"Alright, alright, with my two thoughtful little *mian ao* (a term of endearment for close, dutiful daughters) supporting me, Mother’s steps will be steady underfoot!"

The mother and her two daughters chatted and laughed as they walked toward the Pine Crane Courtyard where the elders lived.

The weather was somewhat overcast, and sure enough, around mid-afternoon, light snow began to fall, drifting down intermittently for two days before stopping.

Perhaps to save face for the Emperor, the sky, which had been overcast for several days, dawned clear and bright early in the morning on the day of the palace banquet, with the sun climbing high.

"Mother, the snow on the road remains uncleared, so it’s sure to be slippery. Why don’t you stay home too? I’ll take your younger brother and sister to the palace and make our apologies to Her Majesty the Empress, alright?"

"That wouldn't be proper."

Xu Shi stood in the central courtyard, dressed in full formal attire according to her rank. Although the scars on her face remained, they couldn’t conceal her dignified grace.

"This is the first formal palace banquet since the new dynasty was established. Aside from elderly madams or those bedridden by illness, the leading ladies from every household in the court, both inner and outer, cannot and should not be absent."

She turned to look at her three children.

"Don’t worry, Mother has considered everything. Laosan, go outside and tell the gatekeeper to keep an eye out. If the Duke Ping's household carriage passes by, we can set off too."

"Alright, I’ll go wait at the entrance right away."

Although Jiang Yaozu was still not thin, he was now a surprisingly nimble little fatty despite his size. No sooner had he agreed than he darted out of the courtyard gate.

"Mother, why do we have to wait for the Song family to pass before we can go? Our house is clearly ahead, so why let others go first? Leaving earlier would give us more time and prevent rushing on the road."

Jiang Han pouted unhappily, feeling both deliberately placed beneath others and worried that her mother would overexert herself.

Xu Shi ignored her second daughter’s complaints and instead turned to her eldest daughter.

"Wan Jieer, do you know why this is?"

Jiang Wan nodded and held up three fingers, indicating "three reasons."

Xu Shi smiled with satisfaction.

It didn’t matter if her second daughter was perceptive or not—she wasn’t expected to uphold the Jiang family’s reputation anyway. But her eldest daughter, who was clear-headed yet occasionally eccentric, absolutely needed to be sharp and insightful!

She lowered her voice and cautiously instructed, "Our family’s status can support your confidence, but how to handle the subtleties of *fencun* (social boundaries/proper measure) is entirely up to your own judgment.

Wan Jieer, just be neither humble nor arrogant. Han Jieer, think more, reflect more, and speak less. Understood?"

"Yes."

"I understand."

Children who are teachable and obedient always bring extra comfort to parents, and Xu Shi was no exception.

"Mm, as long as you understand, that’s enough. I won’t say more. Did you go to pay your respects to your grandfather and grandmother this morning?"

"I already took your younger brother and sister to see them. Grandfather and grandmother told us to take good care of you on the road. They also said you shouldn’t go over today, to be careful of the cold and slippery conditions."

"Alright, I understand."

As mother and daughter were talking, Jiang Laosan’s excited voice sounded from outside.

"Mother, the Duke Ping's household carriage just passed. Should we go now?"

"Let’s go!"

The carriages of the Duke Ling's household processed in orderly fashion out of the estate gate and joined the procession forming ahead. The snow on the road hadn’t melted, so the horses moved slowly. Along the way to the palace, other families gradually joined the line.

Most proper matriarchs from prominent families in the capital were meticulously raised; none would be without *fencun*. They timed it perfectly, identified the insignia on the carriages, and followed the households they should based on their family’s status.

Thus, an orderly procession of dignitaries and nobles formed, clearly displaying hierarchy and respect in their order.

When they reached the palace gates, everyone got out of their carriages. Ladies and young misses from familiar families naturally gathered together to exchange pleasantries.

"Big Sister is over there!"

"Let’s go, hurry over."

"Wait for me, you two! Slow down a bit."

As soon as Ji Jingshu and the others got out of the carriage, they turned around to look everywhere. Fortunately, the Jiang sisters’ vermilion dresses sprinkled with gold peony were particularly eye-catching in the snow, making them easy to spot.

The girls, who had a penchant for admiring beauty, quickly gravitated toward their pretty Big Sister and her pretty younger sister.

"Big Sister, you look absolutely stunning today! This dress is so beautiful, and your hair accessories are beyond words today. Oh, Big Sister, how do you manage to look more beautiful every time? Such a pretty face is truly enviable! Can us plain-looking ones even go on living?"

Sun Lanlan, with her slightly more agile hands and feet, was the first to rush to Big Sister’s side, lavishing her with praise.

"Sun Lanlan, move aside, let me have a turn!"

Ji Jingshu, a step slower, could only latch onto the other side, clinging to her idol’s arm and paying her compliments wholeheartedly.

"Wan Jieer, I really admire you so much, you know? I heard you now hold the household management responsibilities of the entire Duke Ling's household, is that true?

Oh my heavens! You are literally the role model for all us sisters, you know? So young and already managing such responsibilities, unlike me, this poor little unfortunate soul who has to consider others’ opinions just to add an extra hairpin. Our lives are truly worlds apart!

Wan Jieer, dear Wanwan, teach me how to be as amazing as you, alright? I really want to improve, honestly!"

Shen Yutang was thin and had short legs, so she couldn’t outrun her two friends ahead. Seeing that she couldn’t push them aside, she could only pitifully tug on Big Sister’s sleeve, blinking her eyes and swaying back and forth.

"Big Sister, there’s me too, I also really want to improve! Teach me a few tricks, won’t you?"

Since everyone left the palace that day, the little sisters hadn’t had many chances to gather together. Being disciplined by elders and teased by sisters at home every day, these girls hadn’t been able to speak so freely and crazily for a long time.

Jiang Wan watched as her second sister was pushed aside and surrounded by a group of former Xuan Class buddies, her mouth twitched in amusement.

"What’s gotten into you all? How long has it been since we parted? Did you miss me so much in such short time?"