Facing the various looks of scrutiny, admiration, and hostility, Bai Zheng calmly turned around and helped Bai Yinan and Lin out of the carriage.
This time, the invitation from the General's Mansion was extended to the entire Bai Family. Even Bai Nianming and Bai Nianjin were permitted to attend.
Bai Nianjin, the elder one, managed to maintain her composure in such a situation. But Bai Nianming seemed a bit flustered and hid behind Bai Zheng.
Bai Zheng smiled and ruffled his hair, signaling to her young brother not to be afraid. Then she took his hand and walked towards the palace gate.
Everyone's eyes followed their family in unison.
Apart from the occasional neighing of horses, the area in front of the palace gate was extremely quiet.
Suddenly, a shrill voice broke the silence.
"Miss, your dress is truly beautiful!"
Hearing this voice, Bai Zheng couldn't help but frown slightly.
Although she hadn't heard this voice many times, it was extremely familiar, as if she had heard it just a few days ago.
Bai Zheng looked in the direction of the voice.
It was Princess Yunxi, sincerely admiring Zheng Yan's dress.
"Is this fabric Hibiscus Brocade? It's extremely rare! Back then, even my mother only had three bolts of it. Usually, she thought I was unruly, and no matter how much I begged her, she refused to give me any. It was only because I was coming to the Great Zhou that she reluctantly gave me two bolts. This Hibiscus Brocade is truly a rare item. Miss, you look so noble, elegant, and beautiful in this dress."
Princess Yunxi's continuous exclamations attracted all the looks that had been on Bai Zheng.
Bai Zheng glanced at Zheng Yan, who was beaming with pride after receiving the praise.
She didn't feel anything at first glance, but after a second look, a sneer rose in her heart.
The light blue dress was soft and elegant, embroidered with double silver threads. There were also layers of lace made of gauze under the hem. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the pattern was gorgeous.
And the fabric was exactly the same as the dress that the Fourth Prince, Feng Jingyang, had given to Bai Zheng yesterday as an apology.
Moreover, the Hibiscus Brocade that Feng Jingyang gave to Bai Zheng was the goose - yellow color that Zheng Yan liked the most!
Fortunately, Bai Zheng didn't wear it as Feng Jingyang had requested. Otherwise, Zheng Yan might have torn her apart by now.
A faint smile curled up on Bai Zheng's lips.
Could it be that Feng Jingyang was trying to change his fiancée again this time?
Just as Zheng Yan was about to lower her head shyly and proudly say, "Thank you, Princess, for your praise. This Hibiscus Brocade was given to me by the Fourth Prince..."
Her words were suddenly interrupted by Princess Yunxi's sharply raised voice.
"Goodness! Is this Miss wearing Cloud - Floating Brocade?"
Bai Zheng couldn't help but palm her forehead.
Sure enough, Princess Yunxi took a few steps and came to Bai Zheng's side.
She reached out her hand towards Bai Zheng, looking cautious and afraid to touch her, which was in sharp contrast to the boldness with which she had pulled Zheng Yan's sleeve just now.
Everyone's attention was once again drawn to her, and they looked back at Bai Zheng.
Zheng Yan, who had been praised to the skies by Princess Yunxi's words, instantly lost her composure.
Looking at the dress on Bai Zheng, which was as light as snow and made her look like a celestial being descending to the mortal world, Zheng Yan felt as if she had been slapped in the face in public. She was so ashamed that she wanted to find a hole to hide in.
Bai Zheng was impatient in her heart, but on the surface, she still looked blank and said, "What Cloud - Floating Brocade?"
Princess Yunxi's face froze. A woman beside her laughed and said, "Hehe, Miss Bai, don't you even know that the dress you're wearing is made of Cloud - Floating Brocade?"
Bai Zheng blinked innocently and said, "Really?" Then she glanced at Princess Yunxi. "Is it very precious?"
Princess Yunxi couldn't help but pout.
If it weren't for the need to act, she would have loved to mock this bumpkin, Bai Zheng, right now.
She endured it and said with a smile, "Miss Bai, don't you know? This Cloud - Floating Brocade is the national treasure of Southern Shu. Not only in your Eastern Zhou and our Great Liang, but even in Southern Shu itself, there are very few bolts of it!"
Then she glanced at Zheng Yan imperceptibly and said, "It's much more precious than that so - called Hibiscus Brocade!"
Hearing this, Zheng Yan's face instantly turned as red as pig liver.
Bai Zheng was really startled.
"This Cloud - Floating Brocade is so precious? No wonder the Marquis was reluctant to give it at first. If it weren't for the fact that there were no female family members in the Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion, and he saw that our Bai Family couldn't come up with a decent dress to meet the emperor, he wouldn't have..."
These words weakened the jealousy of the female relatives who were envious of the Cloud - Floating Brocade towards Bai Zheng.
After all, it was understandable that the extreme wealth obtained by a lifetime of widowhood wasn't something to be jealous of.
After seeing the Cloud - Floating Brocade, when they looked back at the Hibiscus Brocade on Zheng Yan, the initial admiration was gone.
In fact, it just seemed unappealing no matter how they looked at it.
Looking at Zheng Yan, who was staring at her with blood - red eyes, Bai Zheng couldn't help but sigh silently in her heart.
By now, no matter what she did, it would be of no avail. Even if she took off this dress on the spot and gave it to Zheng Yan, Zheng Yan would probably still hate her for wearing someone else's hand - me - down clothes.
It had to be said that Princess Yunxi's trick of sowing discord was successful.
"Sister, let's go in quickly." Bai Nianming pulled her hand and whispered.
He didn't like the wolf - like looks of these people.
"Okay." Bai Zheng smiled slightly and stepped into the palace gate with her family.
After entering the inner palace, a eunuch led the way for them.
As she walked, Bai Zheng subtly observed the environment of the palace and remembered her location.
After all, it was obvious from what had happened at the gate that today would not be an easy day. She had to make more preparations for herself.
After passing through numerous palace gates, they finally stopped in front of a magnificent palace.
On both sides, more than a dozen eunuchs in dark - green brocade robes stood respectfully with their hands clasped. Maids came and went, carrying delicious food and fine wine. The sound of music mixed with the clinking of glasses and the sound of greetings.
One could imagine how lively it was inside the palace at this moment.
Bai Zheng stepped into the hall.
Sure enough, although there were still many people outside the palace gate, the hall was already full of people.
Apart from the dragon throne at the top, there were several guest seats on the east and west sides.
The east side was for male guests. Several princes were sitting in the front rows, and the court officials were sitting in the back rows.
The noble ladies and young ladies were sitting on the west side.
At this time, except for Bai Di, all the female relatives of the General's Mansion were already sitting there.
Bai Yinan, who was always filial, quickly led his family forward to pay their respects to his mother, Mrs. He.
Mrs. He had been a bit afraid of Bai Zheng recently, so after a few words, she told them to leave.
After paying their respects, Bai Yinan led Bai Nianjin and Bai Nianming to the seats on the west side.
Just as Lin was leading Bai Zheng towards the seats for the female relatives of third - rank officials in the back row on the west side, a gentle voice stopped them.
"Auntie, Zheng'er, you can sit here."
Bai Zheng looked back, and the corner of her eye twitched violently!