The Resolute Cannon Fodder Teaching In Ancient Time

29. Twenty-Nine Treasures ✨

The elderly woman brought Xu Zhen a light blue brocade skirt, the latest fashion in Chang'an, adorned with emerald floral embroidery and gold-trimmed edges. She also arranged for some makeup to be done, with delicate peach blossoms painted on her cheeks.

Once the makeup was finished, the elderly woman instructed Xu Zhen to stand up and explained some court etiquette.

Entering the palace involved intricate procedures. Although the elderly woman had once been a court official and had even taught the emperor, bringing Xu Zhen inside still required numerous checks.

While there was usually a need to perform a bow of reverence, this formality could be skipped since Xu Zhen had been invited to meet the emperor.

Before leaving, Xu Zhen noticed that a large portion of her skin was exposed, making her feel somewhat cold. She turned to the elderly woman and asked, "Can I change into something else?"

The elderly woman replied, "The clothes you brought are simply too plain."

In other words, she was not allowed to change.

Xu Zhen lifted her skirt and stood up, asking several other questions, such as whether meals were provided in the palace and if her thousand taels of silver had already been moved to the new house.

The elderly woman was momentarily taken aback, realizing that Xu Zhen was indeed different from others. Though she had escorted many people into the palace, this was the first time someone had posed such questions.

Once all the questions were answered, Xu Zhen felt satisfied and turned to bid farewell to Xu Qianchun, instructing her to wait for her at the tavern and not to wander off.

Afterward, she left with the elderly woman, descending the stairs and entering a modest bamboo carriage that quietly set off toward the palace.

The carriage moved smoothly, leaving a dark line on the ground as its wooden wheels rolled.

Xu Qianchun stood on a low stool, watching the trace until it disappeared from view. Then she jumped down from the stool, opened the door, and walked outside.

The marketplace was already bustling with vendors setting up stalls to sell breakfast and pancakes, while patrolling officials instructed them not to encroach on the streets, creating a noisy and lively atmosphere.

Inside the carriage, Xu Zhen sat, occasionally peering out through the slats of the bamboo curtain. She noticed the flow of people gradually diminishing, the ground transitioning from bluish stones to grayish-white, and finally becoming bright white jade, reflecting the crimson palace walls.

"Are we there yet?" Xu Zhen asked the elderly woman.

"Almost there," the elderly woman replied beside her.

Voices drifted in from outside.

The elderly woman helped Xu Zhen down from the carriage, and they both lowered their heads to be checked for any dangerous items. Once the inspecting palace attendant waved them through, they were allowed to enter the palace, and the attendant performed a respectful bow.