According to the rules of the Dashun court, every year on the first day of the new year, all officials of standard fourth rank and above had to bring their families into the palace to pay respects to the Emperor and Empress. The officials had to see the Emperor, and the women had to see the Empress. And if the family had a son of the first wife under the age of eight, they could also be brought into the palace to see the Empress with the women.
Entering the palace meant giving a gift, especially during the new year. No family's gift could be too shabby. Of course, the gift would be presented to the Emperor by the men of the family. As for the Empress, if she had the heart, it was fine to give it. If she truly could not bring out anything suitable, not giving it would not be impolite. In short, it was all based on personal feelings.
Feng Jin Yuan did not say what gift he had prepared, so the children did not ask. The Feng family also prepared a gift for the children for the Empress. It was presented to the Empress by the daughter of the first wife, Feng Yu Heng.
That thing was a jade pillow. The quality of the jade was very outstanding. Apparently, the matriarch had kept it in her storage for many years, but she had never been willing to use it.
Feng Yu Heng also prepared two gifts for herself. One was for the Empress and one was for Consort Yun. It was a complete set of makeup products, from facial cleanser to skin foundation to powder. This was purely a personal action and was unrelated to the Feng family. Naturally, there was no need for her to tell the people of the Feng family.
Of course, there were many madams and young misses that had the same thoughts as her. Aside from the gifts for their masters, they also prepared some golden sunflower seeds and other small things to reward the palace servants. These were all things that were necessary.
The Feng family also gave each of the girls a handful of golden sunflower seeds. After all, they were the family of a standard first rank official. They definitely could not be shabby when going out.
Like this, Feng Jin Yuan led the four girls and one son in separate carriages on the morning of the first day of the new year and rushed toward the imperial palace.
Zirui and Feng Yu Heng sat in the same carriage. It was the imperial carriage that Emperor Tianwu had given to Feng Yu Heng. It was the child's first time sitting in this car. Everything was very new to him. He kept asking Huang Quan what this was and what that was.
Feng Yu Heng looked at Zirui and said, "You really don't need a maid to serve you in the Academy?" She had sent a maid to follow him, but she was sent back after a few days.
Zirui told her, "Even errand boys are not allowed in the Academy, let alone maids. The mountain leader said that we have to do everything by ourselves. We can't expect anyone to help us. Sister, don't worry, I'm already used to it. Furthermore, I feel that it's better to do it myself. "
Hearing Zirui's words, Feng Yu Heng also felt relieved. She felt even more affirmation and respect for Ye Rong.
The group very quickly arrived at the entrance of the palace. Feng Jin Yuan's carriage went straight to the front gate; however, the women needed to enter the inner palace through a side gate. But before Feng Yu Heng's carriage could make a turn, it was stopped by someone.
The person that stopped the carriage was a eunuch. Feng Yu Heng had seen him before. He was one of the people that served at Emperor Tianwu's side with Zhang Yuan. The driver lifted the curtain, and the eunuch respectfully saluted to her then said: "County princess, his Majesty has ordered for the Feng family's young master to enter the palace with Prime minister Feng. His Majesty wants to see his junior brother."
"Oh?" Feng Yu Heng blinked. The Emperor wanted to see Zirui? Thinking about it, this was also the case. Ye Rong's personal disciple had not been formally received by Emperor Tianwu. "Alright, then would eunuch please wait a moment. I will give my younger brother a few instructions and have him go with you."
"Princess, please do as you wish."
The curtain was lowered. Only then did Feng Yu Heng hold Zirui's hand and seriously say to him: "Seeing his Majesty is not a small matter to play around with. You must be careful in everything you do. When you salute, watch what others do. When his Majesty asks, only answer. When he does not ask, you absolutely must not speak too much. Do you understand? "
Zirui nodded: "Elder sister, don't worry. Zirui understands all of this. In a while, Zirui will go with the eunuch to find father. I trust that father will not allow Zirui to make a mistake in front of the Emperor. After all, this is related to the entire Feng family's favor. "
Feng Yu Heng could not help but sigh. This child had indeed been taught very well by Yun Lu Academy. Not only was he sensible, but his words were also clear. He was also able to analyze things on his own. This allowed her to feel at ease.
Thus she did not say anything else and personally brought Zirui over to the eunuch. At this time, Feng Jin Yuan also rushed over. Upon seeing Zirui, he immediately grabbed his hand and said: "Just follow father. You absolutely must not leave father's side. Do you understand?"
Zirui replied: "Father, don't worry. Zirui understands."
Only then did Feng Jin Yuan nod to Feng Yu Heng. Turning around, he left with Zirui. The eunuch also saluted to her and quickly followed.
In truth, Feng Yu Heng could see that Feng Jin Yuan loved this son, but this love was mixed with many impure things. It was not the love of a father for his son. It was just that he saw hope in this son. He had also analyzed how much glory and future glory Zirui would bring to the Feng family with him as the son of the first wife. Everyone said that there were no fathers and sons in the inner courtyards of the imperial palace, but they did not know that in the manors outside, the affection between father and daughter was pitifully little. Between people, there were only dry calculations. Where was there any affection to speak of?
She sat back down in her carriage. The driver swung his whip and rushed straight toward the inner palace's Jing Xuan Gate.
On the first day of the new year, there were many people present. It was a scale that had never been seen in the previous banquets. The line of people waiting to enter the palace stretched for two li. Feng Yu Heng's carriage stopped at the end of the line. Huang Quan lifted the curtain and took a look. He could not help but frown: "There was a bit of light snow this morning. The weather is very cold. How long will this line last?!"
Just as he finished speaking, a granny walked over with a smile. Bowing to the carriage, she asked: "Has county princess Ji An arrived?"
Feng Yu Heng stood up and walked out of the carriage, saying with a smile: "That is correct."
The granny's smile became even more profound: "County princess' carriage can go a bit further in. You can get out at the second gate. The families of standard first rank officials are already in advance. You are also a county princess, so there is no need to line up. "
Fortunately, Feng Yu Heng secretly said in her heart. She really did not want to wait in such a long line. Thus, she thanked the granny and took the three carriages behind her to the second gate.
The New Year's audience was actually just a formality. The Empress sat on the phoenix chair in Zhengyang Hall, and the hall was filled with people. They all knelt down and kowtowed to her. Words of auspiciousness came out one after another, and it sounded very festive.
The four Feng sisters knelt in the crowd and paid their respects. The empress was quite far away, so she did not receive much attention.
After this formality, there were palace servants asking the madams and young misses to move to Fei Cui Hall. In four hours, the New Year's banquet would begin.
Feng Yu Heng calculated that there were still four hours. Four hours was enough for her to go to Winter Moon Palace where Consort Yun was. Of course, before that, she still had to see the empress and give her gifts.
Thus, while everyone was walking out, she found one of the female officials that accompanied the empress and asked her: "Can I see the empress?"
Although she did not say it clearly, the female official understood that the people that wanted to see the empress at this time were all people who privately gave gifts. Other than Feng Yu Heng, there were many other people waiting in line. However, Feng Yu Heng did not need to wait in line. The female official nodded at her with a smile and said: "County princess is too polite! I wish county princess a happy New Year and your heart will be as you wish. "
Feng Yu Heng smiled gratefully and handed over a small box, "Thank you for your auspicious words." Inside the box was a small package of chocolates that she had prepared when she was in the fu.
The female official had heard that county princess Ji An always had some novel things in her hands. Seeing that the gifts she gave this time were not common, she became even more happy. "County princess, please come with me. The empress expected that county princess would ask for a private audience and told you in the morning that there was no need to wait in line."
She followed the female official into the small hall behind Zheng Yang Hall. The empress was sitting in the main seat and there were many things on the side. It seemed that they were all gifts from the various madams and misses.
After Feng Yu Heng came in, she bowed first and then said: "Ever since Heng Heng returned to Jing, she has been taken care of by the empress many times and is very grateful. It's a pity that Heng Heng Heng can't find the precious and rare gifts from the other madams and misses. I don't know if this small gift is enough for the empress's eyes. "She said this as she raised the gift box in front of her and the mama took it.
The empress was very friendly when she saw her and quickly said: "Quickly get up, don't kneel. Give her a seat."
"Thank you, empress." Feng Yu Heng stood and walked to the guest chair to sit down.
The empress was personally opening the gift box and her face was filled with anticipation. When the gift box was opened, she was stunned by the full box of makeup. "What is this?"
Feng Yu Heng stood and walked forward. She personally explained to her: "This is a complete set of skincare products. Empress, look, this bottle is called facial cleansing milk. It's the most comfortable and clean for washing the face. Smell it, it's very fragrant. "She said this as she opened the lid for the empress to smell.
The empress was very surprised when she smelled it, "This can be used to wash the face?"
Feng Yu Heng nodded and then pointed at the other things in the box: "This is muscle foundation fluid. After washing the face, gently rub a layer on the face. It's the most nourishing for the skin. This is facial cream … … "She explained one by one to the empress and from time to time, she would help her try it on the empress' hand. The empress' initial surprise had turned into amazement, then ecstasy, and in the end, it had become obsession.
"Were they all given by your Persian master?"
Feng Yu Heng nodded. She thought for a bit and then said: "There are also some that Heng Heng developed according to the method my master taught me. Empress, don't worry and use them. If you feel that they are good, Heng Heng Heng will send you new ones after you use them up. "
When the empress heard that there were more after they were used up, she immediately became happy and kept praising Feng Yu Heng Heng. She wanted to praise her as if she belonged to the heavens.
All of the palace servants at her side were very envious, as they thought to themselves, no wonder county princess Ji An could be favored by everyone. Sure enough, there was a reason! Compared with her gifts, the pearls, jadeite, agate, and other gifts given by the madams and misses were too ordinary. They were simply not worth looking at.
The palace servants were very good at guessing the intentions of their masters. Before the empress gave the order, they had already begun to move out the gifts they had received before, leaving only Feng Yu Heng's makeup on the table.
The empress loved it so much that she simply said: "Heng Heng Heng, I know that you must go to see Consort Yun when you enter the palace. Then go quickly. I will go back to my bedroom first. Later, I will ask someone to send your reward back to your fu. Go quickly! Go quickly! "
This was almost driving her away, but Feng Yu Heng didn't care. She knew what the empress meant, so she took a few steps back, saluted, and respectfully left.
Sure enough, as soon as she stepped out of the hall, the empress immediately got up, picked up the box of makeup, and walked away from the back of the hall. The palace servants hurriedly followed and heard the empress say: "Quickly, go back and help me freshen up. I want to use this good thing to do my makeup again!"
Feng Yu Heng left the back of the hall. As soon as she went out, Huang Quan greeted her. She pulled Huang Quan forward quickly and said at the same time: "Hurry up, let's go to Winter Moon Palace." As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly remembered something and stopped.
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