The places they frequented were all high-end Pearl Treasure Pavilions and various cloth emporiums.
They met the ladies and daughters of noble families from the Capital City.
Lady Yao was eloquent and dressed in splendid attire.
Everyone guessed she must be the lady of a prominent family and was keen on making her acquaintance.
And Lady Yao had thick skin.
She went around claiming to be the mother of Consort Xian Pin, having just moved from Jiangnan.
She also hinted vaguely that she was going to visit the Imperial Palace and choose gifts for the Little Prince.
The ladies all began to exclaim in admiration.
"So that’s it, no wonder we haven’t seen you before, Madam!"
"My goodness, you are so fortunate. Consort Xian Pin really is favored in the palace!"
"The first to give birth to the Crown Prince, how could she not be favored!"
Consort Xian Pin enjoyed the Emperor’s profound favor and had given birth to the Crown Prince; her future prospects were limitless, needless to say.
Everyone thought: The Xia Family is clearly making its mark in the court! In the future, they’re likely to rise ever higher! If one could get acquainted with her family, then in the days to come, the benefits would be many.
With this in mind, everyone treated Lady Yao even more courteously.
Gradually, invitations became more plentiful. One day it was tea at this residence, the next, flower appreciation at another. She had no idle days, constantly bustling about.
「...」
「A few days before entering the palace.」
Lady Yao specifically had new clothes made for herself and her daughter, using only the finest fabrics from the cloth merchants.
The jewelry they chose was the newest and most magnificent, which they had never worn before.
She was determined to dress herself and her daughter respectably.
So that even in front of Consort Xian Pin, they wouldn’t be looked down upon.
When Old Master Xia saw the large chest full of bright, shiny items, he was somewhat dissatisfied.
"Our family’s wealth isn’t that substantial to afford your spending spree!"
After two years as the Salt Transport Envoy, this is all the family fortune we’ve managed to save. This buying spree on clothes has nearly exhausted it.
Even though Old Master Xia usually didn’t inquire about the affairs of the inner household, he was starting to worry now.
Lady Yao glared, her eyebrows raised.
"What do you mean, my Lord!"
"I’m about to enter the palace to see Consort Xian Pin! Do you expect me to wear tattered clothes and make a fool of myself? Even if no one laughs, shouldn’t we gain some respect for our family!"
Old Master Xia: "..."
He had only made a single comment.
Old Master Xia’s lips moved a few times, but in the end, he said no more.
Let her be, then!
「...」
「The day of entering the palace.」
Early in the morning, Lady Yao dressed herself impeccably, taking her equally presentable six-year-old daughter by carriage to the palace gates.
She brought along no fewer than eight maids.
However, the guards at the palace gate said none could accompany her.
In a difficult position, Lady Yao didn’t dare to rebel. She had the maids wait outside while she and her daughter went in alone.
They entered through a side gate of the palace.
First by carriage, then by palanquin.
For the sake of maintaining appearances, Lady Yao did not dare to lift the palanquin curtain to look outside.
After an unknown period, a voice finally said from outside, "We’ve reached the Harem! Madam, please alight!"
Only then did Lady Yao, with trembling trepidation, step out of the palanquin.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, she was awestruck by the magnificent and imposing palaces before her.
All around her were towering ancient trees.
The neatly paved green stone pathways were so smooth and polished they could reflect one’s silhouette.
The distant palaces were grand and imposing, with eaves that seemed to soar into the clouds.
The entire area where she stood was completely devoid of sunlight, obscured either by trees or by the palaces themselves.
Standing there, she felt a sense of solemnity and... a heavy splendor envelop her.
It turned out that the Imperial Palace was not as she had imagined. Not covered everywhere in gold, or floors laid with jade. She had never expected to encounter such an imposing and suffocating sight.
If Lady Yao was scared, then the six-year-old Xia Ruyi was even more so.
She shrunk back behind Lady Yao, her face filled with fear, completely devoid of her usual arrogant and domineering demeanor!
Not far away, a few gorgeously dressed palace maids approached, a faint smile on their faces.
"This must be... Lady Xia, right?" the leading palace maid asked with a smile.
These maids were sent by the Empress to lead the way.
After all, it was the Empress who had permitted their entry. Lady Xia (Consort Xian Pin) seemed disinterested and reluctant to manage the affair, so the Empress herself had to intervene.
However, these were all Second Class palace maids, so it was no great matter.
Upon seeing them, Lady Yao was immediately astonished by the maids’ overall bearing.
Her knees went so weak that she nearly knelt.
Ultimately, someone stopped her.
"Madam, you mustn’t! Our Mistress is waiting for you. Please hurry and pay your respects!"
There were many rules in the palace, and Lady Yao had heard about them before.
She quickly came back to her senses and nodded promptly.
"Thank you, ladies, for your guidance!"