Phoenix Hairpin

Chapter 10

 After waiting for a cup of tea, it was Shen Lan's turn.

  Shen Lan got off the carriage with a smile and ordered the maid beside her to hand over the palace banquet invitation to the chamberlain. The inner servant checked it carefully, and said with a smile, "Third Miss Shen, please come into the palace."  Shen Lan did not rush to enter the palace, she turned her head and smiled at Lu Mingyu: "Let's go in together."  Lu Mingyu didn't have the slightest bit of joy that she was about to enter the palace for a banquet, so she hummed casually. Qi Yun, who was beside her, also took out the invitation.  The inner servant looked at the invitation, his bent waist lowered a little bit, and his smile was very attentive: "It turned out to be Fourth Miss Lu, please enter the palace gate."  Shen Lan's father was a second-rank senior official.  However, when the Great Wei Dynasty was just established, the status of military commanders was much higher than that of civilian officials. King Xingyang, who holds a lot of troops and has great achievements in battle, is also the top figure among the military generals.  In the palace, the inner servant is used to holding the high and stepping on the low, with the red top and the white. His attitude towards Lu Mingyu was obviously much more attentive and warmer than Shen Lan's.   Shen Lan was broad-minded, laughed it off, took Lu Mingyu's hand, and walked into the palace gate together.  It was Jin Can'er's turn again, and the servant's half-bent waist was lifted up again, although it was considered respectful. However, the difference is obvious to anyone with a discerning eye.  Snob dog stuff!  The arrogant Jin Can'er, with her pretty face flushed with anger, glared at the servant angrily.  The fair-skinned and handsome eunuch’s expression remained unchanged, and his eyes rolled in his heart.  The daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Industry dares to compete with the daughter of the King of Xingyang! Not to mention her family background, if she just compared her appearance and bearing, she was far surpassed by Fourth Miss Lu in a single face-to-face. 

Feeling aggrieved in my heart, I have the ability to rush to Fourth Miss Lu, and show prestige to her, a servant who has no descendants, what kind of ability!  …  Donghua Gate is a long passage.  As far as you can see, there are tall palace walls, vermilion eaves, and palace servants who are silently bowing to avoid t. The solemn and oppressive atmosphere made people's hearts sink suddenly.   Lu Mingyu's eyes looked away, the scene in front of her was so familiar; it was disgustingly familiar.  Shen Lan was entering the palace for the first time. At this time, she was a little nervous and pursed the corners of her mouth slightly.  She subconsciously turned her head and glanced at Lu Mingyu.  But she saw that Lu Mingyu had no smile at all, and her expression was indifferent, almost cold. There was no respect in her eyes, instead, there was a hint of sarcasm.  Lu Mingyu, what happened?  Entering the palace for the first time, about to meet the queen and all the concubines in the palace, such an expression is very inappropriate.  Shen Lan was startled, she reached out her hand quietly, and tugged at Lu Mingyu's sleeve.  Lu Mingyu paused slightly, turned her head, and returned to her usual appearance, smiled at Shen Lan.  Shen Lan almost thought she had read it wrong just now, so she couldn't help blinking.  Lu Mingyu was amused by this little gesture, pursed her lips, and smiled. 

  She reached out to hold Shen Lan's hand and smiled softly: "Sister Lan, don't worry about me, I know the severity and won't cause trouble easily."  Shen Lan was nervous again, lowered her voice, and said, "Shh, stop talking."  Lu Mingyu smiled lightly and didn't speak anymore.  They walked silently for a while, rounded two bends, and walked for a while, and finally arrived at Jiaofang Hall.  Jiaofang Hall has always been the residence of the Empress of the Central Palace. Lu Mingyu lived in Jiaofang Palace for three years, until Li Hao passed away and the new emperor succeeded the throne. Then she moved into Changchun Palace with her son.  Jiaofang Hall is located in the middle of the harem, with magnificent decoration and beautiful interiors.  The group of noble ladies from the capital was introduced into the side hall of Jiaofang Hall, waiting for Queen Qiao to call.  According to the rules in the palace, you can only bring one personal maid when entering the palace. After entering the main hall later, the maids cannot accompany you.  There were two rows of chairs in the side hall. At first glance, there are about ten chairs. Today, there are more than 20 noble ladies who entered the palace for the banquet. Furthermore, even if there were enough chairs to sit on, the girls who entered the palace for the first time did not dare to sit down and talk at will.  Didn't you see a female officer in her thirties standing in the corner?  It must have been Queen Qiao who sent the people around her to look at everyone calmly.  If anyone shows timidity at this time or made a noise and makes a fool of themselves, I am afraid that they will be the first to be eliminated from the list of candidates for the prince’s consort.  As a result, all the girls stood dignifiedly with smiles on their faces.  Lu Mingyu did not do anything out of the ordinary.

  She is not interested in being a princess. However, she could not lose the face of the Xingyang Palace.  …  This wait was another half an hour.  The girls stood with sore legs and weak feet. Fortunately, everyone was wearing long skirts and could move their legs quietly.  The 30-year-old palace maid in the corner quietly withdrew with a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes. After a while, Queen Qiao sent someone to summon all the girls into the main hall for an audience.  There is also a sequence of going in to meet the queen.  All the girls stared at the palace maid in unison.  The palace maid is dressed in a light purple palace dress, with a slender figure, fair skin, and a small black mole under her eyes. It was Cai Lan, the palace maid next to Queen Qiao.  Cai Lan smiled and bowed her head: "The Queen’s niece, Miss Xuan Qiao, will go in now."  Third Miss Qiao, who was wearing a blue dress, replied with a smile. Third Miss Qiao's boudoir name is Wan. As her name suggests, she was born gentle and beautiful.  Qiao Wan walked away gracefully under the jealous and envious gazes of the girls.  Jin Can'er couldn't hold back, she whispered to the girl beside her, "I didn't expect Qiao Wan to come out on top today."  The girl was wearing a rouge-colored dress and had a pink face and peach cheeks. She was quite charming. She was the young daughter of the Marquis of Guangping. Her surname is Meng, her boudoir name is Yunluo, and she was the maiden niece of Concubine Meng in the palace.  In terms of family status, Quang Ping Hou's mansion is also a first-class great Wei Xungui. Concubine Meng was quite favored in the palace, and the eldest prince was even more favored by Emperor Yongjia.  However, no matter how favored Concubine Meng was, she had to bow her head to Queen Qiao. Meng Yunluo was in the palace, so naturally, she was not as important as Qiao Wan.

  Meng Yunluo glanced at Qiao Wan's figure, a trace of jealousy flashed in her eyes, and said lightly, "Qiao Ge is always the first assistant of the dynasty, Qiao Wan is the niece of the Queen, so she is more important."  After a while, Cai Lan came to call again.  The person who was summoned for an interview this time was Zhao Yu, the fifth young lady of the Zhao family of the Marquis of Puyang. The Zhao family is the maiden family of the Empress Dowager Zhao, and Zhao Yu is the grand-niece of the Empress Dowager Zhao. She is often called into the palace to accompany Empress Dowager Zhao on weekdays.  Zhao Yu, who is not tall, was wearing a pink dress, which is exquisite and cute. When she smiled, two deep dimples appeared on her cheeks.  Jin Can'er pouted.  Meng Yunluo pursed her lips slightly, feeling more and more annoyed.  They are all famous and noble ladies in the capital. Who doesn't want to be strong on weekdays? Who wants to be left behind?  This suffocating breath is really hard to swallow.  It's always her turn next. When Cai Lan appeared again, Meng Yunluo subconsciously straightened her waist, with a reserved but elegant smile on her face, she raised her legs slightly and was about to take a step forward...  Then, Cai Lan's voice clearly entered her ears: "Please asking Fourth Miss Lu to visit the main hall."  Meng Yunluo: "…"  Meng Yunluo smiled condensed at the corner of her mouth and she silently retracted her outstretched foot.T/N So this is the 10th chapter of the novel. Please leave a rating or review in Novelupdate or leave me a comment to let me know if I am doing it right. Don't hesitate to point out mistakes you find so that I can better them.