Chapter 479 The Emperor Arrives
As for the Lin family's backyard, although the Lin family didn't have an imperial decree, it was enough to have Jia Mu, the old feudal lord, in charge! Moreover, those who were able to come here were not here to pick gifts, so naturally they would not say anything about such things.
In the main hall of the harem, the old lady dined with a group of high-ranking officials. Given the previous infractions of etiquette, it wasn't surprising that the palace arranged for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to host a banquet with fifty tables. After all, this was the etiquette for a prince's wedding...
Just as they were having fun, a vague and high-pitched voice suddenly came.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
The slightly noisy voices suddenly stopped, and the old lady stood up in surprise. Why would the emperor come in person?
"Hurry, go to the front and take a look. Did I hear it wrong?" the old lady said to the maid beside her.
But before the maid could leave, Jia Zhong came in a hurry! Because the Lin family was small, the old lady specially brought Jia Zhong and his group from the East Palace to help support the internal and external affairs.
"Madam, His Majesty has arrived. All ladies of honor are to go and pay their respects immediately!"
At this moment, the old lady had no time to think about the reason, and hurriedly went forward with a group of imperial edicts from various prefectures.
…
In the backyard of the Xue family, Tongxi didn't care about the rules and ran over like a fly.
"Madam...Madam, the Queen is here!"
The lively atmosphere in the flower hall suddenly died down, and Tongxi added, "Madam, the Empress has arrived and has entered the palace and is heading to the rear residence. Uncle Wang has asked Madam and all the imperial officials to greet her outside the hanging flower gate."
"Your Majesty!" Aunt Xue exclaimed in surprise, then reacted the next moment, "Quick, ladies, let's go and greet them!"
"Go tell the ladies in the main hall and the side halls to come together!"
Tongxi ran out again, and by the time Aunt Xue and her group arrived at the backyard, the rest of the people had also arrived.
Afterwards, everyone filed towards the Chuihua Gate.
Although Aunt Xue has no rank, she is still in the Xue family and today is a happy event for the Xue family, so Aunt Xue is leading the way in front.
When they arrived at the Chuihua Gate, they saw the Queen's phoenix sedan chair and ceremonial guards slowly approaching.
"I, Mrs. Xue Wang, respectfully welcome the Queen!" Aunt Xue prostrated herself on the ground, and the others also paid their respects with great ceremony.
After a while, a female official stepped forward and said, " Ladies , please stand up. The Queen has ordered the Phoenix Palace to enter the rear residence!"
Everyone stood up and stood on both sides. The female official called Aunt Xue to come and accompany the phoenix sedan chair into the back house.
When the phoenix sedan came to a stop, the Queen appeared in front of everyone with a smile on her face. Everyone bowed again, and the Queen said with a smile, "Ladies, please stand up without formalities. I have come here today to propose marriage to the Marquis of Guanjun and the daughter of the Xue family. You can just think of me as a spectator."
Everyone obeyed the order and respectfully followed the Queen into the main hall.
Although the Emperor and Empress had arranged everything for the betrothal ceremony, as parents, they did not want to miss out on such a significant event for their son. Therefore, regardless of protocol, they left the palace and split up into two groups. The Emperor naturally went to the Lin family, while the Empress went to the Xue family.
"The Empress has arrived, and the entire Xue family is deeply grateful!"
After the Queen sat down, Aunt Xue spoke respectfully. The Queen smiled at everyone and said, "Please sit down, everyone. I'm not here as a hostile guest. If you all act so reserved, won't I blame you later?"
Glancing around, she saw Wang Xifeng standing in line behind the others. The Queen thought for a moment before waving at Sister Feng and saying, "The last time I went to the Jia residence, were you the one who served tea?"
Seeing that the Empress had actually called out to her, Wang Xifeng felt both nervous and excited. She quickly made her way through the crowd to the front, prostrated herself, and said, "I have the great honor of having had the pleasure of meeting the Empress!"
"Get up, we are already acquainted. It is better for one guest to serve two hosts. Today you will serve me!"
"I obey the Queen's order!" Wang Xifeng stood up obediently and walked forward to stand behind the Queen.
The Queen felt at ease having her son's woman serve her! Aunt Xue had the banquet re-set, but the Queen's arrival made the atmosphere in the hall much more restrained. The Queen also knew what everyone was thinking, so she simply ate a few dishes and said to Aunt Xue, "Since I'm here today, of course I have to see that girl."
"I will have my daughter summoned to meet the Queen!"
"Today is that girl's wedding day, how can we let her move easily? Just lead me there!"
Aunt Xue took the order and then led the Queen towards Baochai's courtyard, followed closely by Wang Xifeng and the maids and eunuchs.
"Girl, the Queen is here in our courtyard!"
Baochai also received the news that the Empress was coming, but without an imperial decree, she could not go to see her at will. She was talking to Baoqin in the room when she saw Ying'er rush in.
"ah!"
Baochai exclaimed, "Let's go and meet him!"
After saying this, Baochai went to the courtyard accompanied by Baoqin and waited. Not long after, they saw a eunuch enter the courtyard first, and Baochai and Baoqin immediately bowed down to him.
"Xue Baochai, daughter of the Xue family, pays respect to Her Majesty the Empress!"
Seeing this pretty daughter-in-law, the queen was delighted and said, "Come here and let me take a look!"
Baochai stood up and walked forward slowly. The Queen took Baochai's hand and looked her up and down. Today, Baochai was wearing a light yellow double-breasted gauze jacket with orange edging, an orange bodice, and a horse-faced skirt with a white background and orchid embroidery. Although the colors were bright, they did not seem ostentatious, especially on Baochai, making her look even more gentle, honest, and plump!
"Good girl, it's no wonder that boy is so obsessed with you. It's his blessing to have such a beautiful woman!"
"Your Majesty, you are so kind!" Aunt Xue said with a smile. "It is a blessing for my daughter and my Xue family that she can marry such a great man of the time as the Marquis."
When chatting with the Queen Mother, Aunt Xue also grasped a trick, that is, as long as she praised her son-in-law with all her heart, the Queen would be extremely happy. Aunt Xue was also very satisfied with her son-in-law, so most of what she said was what was in her heart .
"All good, all good!" Sure enough, the queen's smile became even more pronounced.
After chatting for a while, the Queen looked at Baoqin, who was still prostrating herself on the ground and had not yet stood up. "Which family is this girl from?"
"Let Her Majesty know that this is the second daughter of the Xue family, named Baoqin!" Aunt Xue said hurriedly.
"Baoqin? But does the child recognize that foster sister?"
"That's right!" Aunt Xue said with a smile, "It's also this girl's good fortune. She was close to the Marquis before, and after becoming his godparents, she even stayed at the Marquis's house two out of three days."
"I've only heard that child mention you to me, but I've never seen you. Stand up and let me take a look!"
