After lunch, Di Lanmo took a short rest. Then Qingque led the four young maids, Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju, into the room.
"Princess, it's almost time. You should take a bath, change your clothes and get ready to enter the palace!"
Di Lanmo replied softly, "Okay!"
After taking a bath and changing clothes, Di Lanmo sat in front of the dressing table and let Qingque do her hair.
Qingque picked up a comb and carefully combed her long hair.
In a short while, she had done a double - loop fairy - looking hair bun. Then Qingque turned around and fetched a tray.
Dazzling jewelry was laid out on it. Qingque picked up a shiny golden accessory and was about to put it on Di Lanmo's head.
Di Lanmo rubbed her temples. "No need." She casually picked up a white jade hairpin and inserted it into her hair.
"Princess, this is a palace banquet!" Qingque lamented.
Di Lanmo waved her hand, ignored Qingque's pleading and walked out.
A carriage was parked in front of the Prince Qin's Mansion. Chu Zhiyan was sitting inside the carriage, constantly tapping his index finger on the table, making a dull "thud" sound.
Chu Zhiyan lifted the curtain and looked at the sky. He frowned slightly. "Qiao Yan, go in and urge her."
"Yes, my lord!"
Just as he finished speaking, light footsteps like a cat's came. Chu Zhiyan looked up, and a flash of amazement crossed his eyes.
Di Lanmo walked over gracefully with a cold expression. The young girl's skin was as white as jade, her neck was slender and graceful, her lips were delicately painted, her hair was simply coiled up, and there was no other jewelry except a delicate white jade hairpin.
The rose - red phoenix - embroidered palace dress fit her perfectly. As she walked, with her cold aura, she didn't look grand and luxurious but rather like a celestial being descending from the sky.
When she reached the carriage, she ignored the stool that Qiao Yan had placed and leaped lightly onto the carriage. Then she lifted the curtain and got in.
It was silent all the way.
Half an hour later, the carriage shook slightly and stopped at the palace gate.
Qiao Yan took out a dark green waist token. The guards took it, looked at it, and then knelt down in salute together, their eyes full of reverence.
Di Lanmo raised her eyebrows slightly. She hadn't entered the palace with Chu Zhiyan last time, so she didn't know that he was so well - loved by the soldiers.
But it made sense. He was the war god of the Great Chu. If even the soldiers didn't respect him, then his title as the war god would be meaningless!
The carriage moved on again, but at a much slower speed - even the Prince Qin had to abide by the palace rules.
Another hour passed, and the carriage finally stopped. Qiao Yan's voice came from outside the carriage. "My lord, princess, we're here!"
Chu Zhiyan got out of the carriage first and then reached out his hand.
Di Lanmo paused for a moment, but finally placed her hand in Chu Zhiyan's and jumped out of the carriage with his support.
Today's palace banquet was hosted by the Empress Dowager, so it was held in the Cihe Palace where the Empress Dowager lived.
When they reached the main hall of the palace, Chu Zhiyan's deep eyes looked at Di Lanmo. His lips moved, but he didn't say anything and walked straight into the hall.
"Prince Qin and Princess Qin are here to pay their respects!"
Following a shrill voice, the two slowly entered the grand hall.
In the center of the main hall sat a woman with a few strands of silver in her hair. She had a kind and gentle face. Below her was a woman in a bright red phoenix - embroidered palace dress with a solemn expression. She looked respectful when she glanced at the woman beside her.
On both sides of the main hall were full of noble ladies and young women.
Di Lanmo thought to herself, "Presumably these are the Empress Dowager and the Queen."
It was really hard to imagine that such a kind - looking person would send a nanny to torture her, her "daughter - in - law".
But no matter what she thought, she still followed Chu Zhiyan to bow to the people above. "Greetings to Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the Queen!"
The Empress Dowager frowned slightly. On the second day after the wedding, she had sent a nanny to teach Di Lanmo etiquette, but Chu Zhiyan had sent the nanny back.
Di Lanmo's etiquette could only be said to be mediocre. If one wanted to find fault, there were many, but this was a private matter!
The Empress Dowager always doted on her youngest son, Chu Zhiyan, so she naturally wouldn't embarrass Di Lanmo in front of everyone and make Chu Zhiyan lose face.
Immediately, she said gently, "So this is Mo'er. Good child, get up quickly!"
Chu Zhiyan sat with Di Lanmo for a while, then whispered, "There are all female guests here. It's not convenient for me to stay. I have something to talk to His Majesty about. I'll come back to pick you up when it's almost time."
Di Lanmo nodded slightly, indicating her agreement.
Chu Zhiyan stepped forward, said something to the Empress Dowager, and then left.
When Chu Zhiyan was around, Di Lanmo didn't want to talk much. After he left, she wanted to talk even less.
She just sat there, listening to the conversations between the Empress Dowager, the Queen, and the noble ladies and young women. When they mentioned her, Di Lanmo would smile faintly and respond.
She was neither impolite nor talkative, just right.
Half an hour passed. Di Lanmo felt that her face was about to freeze from smiling. Just as she was thinking of an excuse to go out for some fresh air, she felt a jealous and fiery gaze staring at her.
Di Lanmo followed the gaze and quickly rummaged through the original owner's memory in her mind.
She found it!
The daughter of Li Chaoyuan, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. As for her name, she couldn't remember!
According to the original owner's memory, this woman had secretly loved Chu Zhiyan for many years. Before His Majesty bestowed the marriage, she had always regarded herself as the future Princess Qin.
In the past, when outside, this woman not only regarded herself as the future Princess Qin, but also would teach a lesson to any noble girl who showed admiration for the Prince Qin in words or expressions.
She was the daughter of a second - rank official in the court. Except for the daughter of the Grand Minister of Works, whom she couldn't compare with, the other official's daughters had to yield to her, even Di Tingyu was no exception!
As for Di Lanmo, in the early days, the original body didn't like to go out and socialize, so she didn't have much interaction with this woman.
After Di Lanmo traveled through, she had no intention of dealing with these young ladies in the boudoir. She had refused all the invitations, so there had been no trouble until now!
Judging from the current situation, it seemed that this woman had finally caught her. Even with the Empress Dowager present, she couldn't wait to teach her a lesson?
"Miss Di has had a very exciting few days recently. First, you eloped... um, it was elopement, right? Otherwise, why would His Highness the Prince Qin pick you up on the bridal sedan chair outside the city?" The woman's voice was full of mockery and provocation.
"Recently, you've also made a big fuss in the city with your younger sister because of some man... I think a young lady should act like a young lady. Don't let out any scandalous rumors!"
She looked quite good, but her words were so sarcastic and unpleasant.
Di Lanmo deliberately asked, "May I ask your surname, miss?"
It wasn't very harmful, but it was extremely insulting!
Sure enough, the young woman's face flushed red. "Di Lanmo!"
"Qingran!" A solemn voice came from above. It was the Empress Dowager.
"This is the Princess Qin. How can you shout and talk nonsense! Apologize quickly!"
After scolding Li Qingran, the Empress Dowager looked at Di Lanmo lovingly and said, "Mo'er, this is the eldest daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Li Qingran!"
Li Qingran was scolded by the Empress Dowager. Although she was dissatisfied, she didn't dare to say anything more. She apologized meekly, "I'm sorry, Princess Qin!"
"Rumors are usually not very reliable. Miss Li, don't be a person who spreads rumors in the future! Especially when it comes to royal matters. If His Majesty or the Prince finds out, I don't know if your father can bear the responsibility!"