55.

  The old lady hurriedly asked, "What did Empress Jiang say? Did she mention our family's Yue'er?"

  Yuan Yue'er entered the palace to accompany Princess Changling in her studies.

  Changning Princess was the biological daughter of Empress Jiang.

  Now whenever the Empress Dowager mentioned Jiang Huanghou, she instinctively thought of her eldest granddaughter who had once played around her knees and brought joy to her.

  The county master of Yining's eyes dimmed slightly, and she shook her head, saying, "No, it wasn't Yue'er's doing."

  She paused for a moment, then continued, "The Empress Dowager has not been feeling well lately, and after taking medicine for many days, there is no improvement. Empress Jiang wants to pray for the Empress Dowager's recovery, so she thought of the soldiers who are fighting bravely on the northwest border."

  "Is it this time to raise money or donate shoes and socks?"

  Jiang Huanghou was the empress who had been married to the emperor since their hair was tied together in a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony.

  She was not born into a particularly noble family.

  Her father Jiang Qihai is now a nobleman as Cheng'en Marquis, but at that time he was just the head of the Ministry of Works.

  It was also a coincidence that Jiang Qihai gained the favor of the previous emperor for some reason.

  The former emperor heard that Jiang Qihai had a daughter who was waiting to be married, and casually mentioned this marriage to the current emperor, who was still the third prince at the time.

  Among the several daughters-in-law of the previous emperor, Empress Jiang's origin was the humblest.

  But she is very virtuous and capable, with a mind of her own, skilled at using the least resources to gain the greatest benefits.

  The emperor was able to ascend to the throne in extremely unfavorable circumstances. Apart from Empress De's great contributions, it was Empress Jiang who made the greatest efforts.

  So the Emperor treated Empress Jiang with great respect.

  Even after Emperor Taizong of Tang ascended to the throne, the harem was filled with many noble ladies from prestigious families, but none of them could ever shake Empress Jiang's position.

  Although this Empress Jiang has now become the most respected and noble woman in a prosperous dynasty.

  But somewhat petty.

  Although the national treasury is full, Empress Jiang always wants to gather the strength of all ministers to get things done.

  For example, the fiftieth birthday of the Empress Dowager in previous years was also funded by her cleverly raising money from noblewomen.

  Last year when the emperor's illness was critical, she called on the court officials to pray for the emperor's recovery and donated silver incense money to the Hu Guo Temple. She also did not take a single penny out of it.

  The noblewomen of Shengjing City secretly called her the Queen of Fundraising in their hearts.

  But how can such words be uttered with dignity?

  Yining Jun Zhu glanced at Lian Shi and said somewhat disapprovingly, "Third sister, you're quite sharp-tongued!"

  Lian's family quickly swallowed their saliva, pretending that nothing had happened. They sat up straight and proper again.

  She asked seriously, "What did Empress Jiang say?"

  Yining Jun Zhu said, "Empress Jiang said. Now that it's cold today, we have charcoal to burn and thick fur coats in Shengjing City, warm and cozy. But the generals and soldiers in the northwest have to fight on the battlefield, enduring the cold every day, which is really heart-wrenching."

  It's now December, and Shengjing City is in the midst of a cold spell with frozen earth and icy grounds.

  The northwest border is vast and wide, much colder than Shengjing.

  In comparison, the ferocious Rouran cavalry was more adapted to the climate of the winter steppes than the generals of the prosperous dynasty.

  It can be imagined that under such bad weather conditions, the obstruction and difficulty encountered by the Northwestern Army during the battle would be great.

  But this war is reluctant to end.

  The Princess of Yining looked up at the old lady, "Empress Jiang's intention is to call on the noblewomen of Shengjing City to donate some good cotton clothes, socks and fur coats, collect them as soon as possible, and send reliable people to escort them to Muzhou."

  The old lady listened and suddenly became respectful towards Empress Jiang.

  It's not that military uniforms are simple and crude, but rather they don't allow soldiers who risk their lives for the country to wear warm clothes.

  But military salaries are limited, and the cotton clothes and trousers provided by the Ministry of War only use medium materials, which are not as warm and lightweight as those made from high-quality cotton and fur.

  If in the city or barracks, the officers and men are relatively better off, but when marching and fighting, they often have to ambush in the wild.

  In the cold winter of December, the midnight wind was like a knife, cutting through people's skin and making it ache.

  Only relying on military supplies for a little warmth is not enough.

  The old lady listened and nodded heavily, "Empress Jiang was able to think of comforting the soldiers, already worthy of a national mother's demeanor, indeed having a compassionate heart."

  Perhaps Empress Jiang was a bit petty in her daily life, but in this matter, the entire Western Expedition Army benefited.

  Even if Empress Jiang herself didn't make a move, having her pull strings from behind would be enough.

  "This matter is a matter of life and death. The old lady was very concerned and asked, 'What does Empress Jiang have in mind for this matter?'"

  Yining Jun Zhu nodded, "The day after tomorrow is Empress Jiang's birthday. According to the rules, noble ladies must enter the palace for an audience. At that time, Empress Jiang will mention this proposal and I suppose all of you noble ladies will agree. However..."

  She changed her tone, "Empress Jiang hopes that all of us sisters-in-law can attend, after all, this is also for the consideration of the Yuan family army."

  Only noblewomen of high rank have the privilege of entering the palace to pay respects to the empress.

  Among the daughters-in-law of the Yuan family, except for Princess Yining, only Liang Shi was a imperial decree.

  Lian's family is good, Su Zi's painting is also good, Cui Ying doesn't need to be said, the three of them have never entered the palace.

  Being able to enter the palace and pay respects to the empress is an honor, but the entire process was also quite torturous.

  Not only are there strict rules of etiquette, but also can't afford to make a single mistake.

  Lian and Su were just recovering from childbirth and needed rest, so the Princess of Yining feared that entering the palace would exhaust them.

  As for Cui Ying, she didn't even learn the rules and regulations properly. At home, no one expected anything from her, but once she entered the palace...

  Empress Jiang had intended to marry her niece from her natal family to Yuan Wulang, but the old lady pretended not to understand, which was a polite refusal.

  Later, the old lady went to Empress Dowager again to ask for Cui's daughter.

  The Princess of Yining was afraid that Empress Jiang had some ideas about Cui Ying.

  The old lady was perceptive and insightful, what could Princess Yi Ning think of that she hadn't already thought of?

  She even thought of more.

  The mother of Xiao Wu's wife, Luo Shi, was...

  That old news from within the palace, others may not know about it.

  But she and the Empress Dowager have been close friends for many years, with deep feelings. Even if the Empress Dowager has never explicitly stated it, through hints and guesses, she knows a thing or two.

  Lu died twelve years ago.

  The emperor's body at that time also began to decline from prosperity and eventually became bedridden with a lingering illness.

  This secretive and dusty past event has already sunk into the bottom of the box.

  But who knows what Empress Jiang is thinking in her heart?

  Jiang Huanghou... is not a magnanimous person!

  Now the emperor's body is weak and bedridden, the crown prince who is in charge of state affairs is the biological son of Empress Jiang, and he holds absolute power.

  If she had a mind to make things difficult for Cui Rong, it would be as easy as turning over her hand.

  The old lady secretly sighed in her heart, and her eyes filled with pity and worry gazed at Cui Ying's beautiful face.

  The child was frowning, innocently gazing at Su Zi Hua and Lian Shi.

  It's also worrying, but the worry is obviously not on the point.

  The old lady couldn't help but wave at Cui Ling, "Little Wu's wife, come here!"

  "Grandma, am I going too?" Cui Ling asked timidly.

  The old lady gently stroked Cui Ying's forehead hair and brushed aside the strands of hair that blocked her autumn water-like eyes.

  "What's there to be afraid of? It's the Empress Dowager's birthday. Grandmother is also going to pay her respects. You're following Grandmother, who would dare eat you?"

  Although it is said so, there are still some worries in heart.

  It's just that Empress Jiang's proposal this time is really too tempting, which not only concerns the interests of the Yuan family army but also affects the survival of countless generals on the northwest battlefield.

  What's more, the queen's edict is clear, even if it means certain death, can a subject still dare to disobey?

  The old lady thought for a moment and comforted in a soft voice, "It's nothing."

  She was certain that at the birthday banquet of Empress Jiang, there were not only a few noble ladies present, and the empress might not have had the leisure to estimate Cui Ying.

  Even if there is, as long as Cui Ling's entry and exit are measured, her behavior is proper, and Empress Jiang will not embarrass her in front of everyone.

  Jiang Huanghou attaches great importance to her dignity. She should still have this kind of demeanor.

  Cui Ying hesitated for a moment before speaking up, biting her lip nervously, "But... I've never learned the etiquette of entering the palace and paying respects..."

  It's been fifteen years since I came to Sheng Chao, and Cui Ying has never formally learned etiquette.

  When she was at Anning Bo's house. She didn't go out anyway, and rarely went to her grandmother's side, and would dodge if possible.

  When encountering major events that can't be avoided, as long as I hide behind my elder sisters and follow them to pay respects together, I can always muddle through.

  After all, she was really too low-key.

  She was born with a stunning face, but very few people noticed her existence.

  To the extent that other sisters have educated and guided rules of etiquette, she has no one to ask except for two little maids who are as ignorant as her.

  It's also understandable, her own father doesn't care about her, how can she expect her stepmother and aunt to think of her?

  Cui Ling didn't complain, to a certain extent, that no one in the Anning Bo Fu paid attention to her was the result of her deliberate efforts.

  She is very satisfied with her hard-won achievements.

  While her elder sisters were repeating a courtesy one hundred times with great effort, she was sleeping comfortably.

  While her elder sisters were maintaining their ladylike demeanor and smiling without revealing their teeth, she was reading a comic book and laughing heartily.

  While her elder sisters were practicing the art of speaking, repeatedly thinking and deliberating on every word, she was unscrupulously telling a hundred cold jokes to the osmanthus tree.

  At this time, she suddenly heard her grandmother and sisters-in-law discussing the matter of entering the palace the next day, which shocked her.

  Cui Ying remembered something her elder sisters had told her before.

  The fourth miss of the Lin family of Guangning Marquis had an audience with the Empress Dowager, but due to her poor etiquette, she was disliked by Empress Jiang.

  Later, Empress Jiang arranged for Lin Si to marry a foolish and dim-witted prince from the imperial clan.

  It seemed like she had married into royalty and become a princess, but Miss Lin died soon after the wedding.

  Claimed to have died of a sudden illness externally, but it is said that he actually hanged himself.

  Rumors are either exaggerated or added with flavor.

  However, it's certain that the palace has strict requirements for etiquette and Empress Jiang is difficult to get along with.

  The old lady's heart moved, her eyes full of pity, she sighed.

  Turning to Su Zihua, he said, "In two days, I will enter the palace. Now, starting from scratch seems a bit late. Fourth sister-in-law, it's better to hand over your sister-in-law to you. There is no need to teach others, as long as she doesn't embarrass herself in public on that day, it will be fine."

  Su Zi hastily bowed and said, "Yes."

  Cui Ling opened a pair of misty big eyes, her lips moved slightly, wanting to speak but hesitated.

  She had hoped that Old Lady would take into account her ignorance of the rules and come up with a way to help her avoid it.

  But now it seems that this troublesome matter of entering the palace for an audience has no room for maneuver.

  Fortunately, she is not a stubborn person who sticks to her own ideas no matter what.

  Since you have come, make yourself at home.

  Can't avoid it, then won't avoid it.

  ps：

  I don't know what's wrong, but I've suddenly got a fever. Since I'm feeling dizzy and sleepy, the second update that was originally scheduled for 12 o'clock will be released now instead. The upcoming plot is going to be really exciting, so I hope readers can continue to support me. Because I want to make a push for the new book's monthly ticket rankings, if you still have pink tickets, please don't hesitate to throw them over! Hehe, I'll definitely do my best to continue writing! Once again, thank you to everyone who has been waiting since midnight to give me their first subscription, pink tickets, and rewards. Your encouragement means a lot to me, and I'll keep working hard! Also, my pen name is Fei Yan, although it was chosen randomly at the time, but it also has a very beautiful and gentle meaning - jade paste, you know? All girls like that, so... please don't abbreviate my name to just "Fei" okay? I have the "Yan" part too! Thank you!