When it was time to watch the old age, everyone dispersed.
Back in the room, after sleeping for less than an hour, they hurriedly got up again.
Wash, dress up, change clothes, go to the second gate and get on the carriage, leave the mansion to join the people of the Hou mansion.
The old lady Wei opened the door of the carriage, looked at the people in the Gu residence, and asked, "Is everyone here?"
Mrs. Zhang nodded, "Report to Madam, everyone is here."
"Have the children learned all the rules?"
"Don't worry, old lady, these few days the children followed the mother and learned the palace rules in a down-to-earth manner, and they will not make mistakes when they enter the palace."
The old lady Wei nodded: "Since everyone is here, let's go."
The carriage drove steadily towards the palace gate.
It snowed yesterday, and there was a thin layer of snow on the ground.
The carriage rolled over and made a creaking sound.
In front of the Golden Light Gate of the Imperial City, the carriages of each family have been lined up in order of grade.
The old lady Wei is a super lady, and she should be at the front with everyone in the Hou family.
When the two families separated, the old lady Wei told Zhang and Xie, "After entering the palace, follow the rules and watch the children carefully."
"The niece and daughter-in-law listen to the old lady."
The people from the Hou Mansion all went to the front, while the Gu Mansion's carriage stopped behind the old man.
There are not many other things in the capital, but there are many officials, and there are as many nobles as dogs.
The third-rank edict is really not enough to see in the capital, so naturally it can only be ranked at the back.
Xie stretched her neck and looked towards the gate of the palace.
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, knocked on the carriage and reminded: "Don't look at the second brother and sister, it will take an hour to open the palace gate. If you are sleepy, just squat on the carriage for a while. After entering the palace, after a day, everyone Tired as hell."
Mrs. Xie looked at Mrs. Zhang through the car window, and asked in a low voice, "Since the gate of the palace will be opened after an hour, why did everyone come so early?"
The eldest wife Zhang said: "This is the rule. Look, how many carriages are parked at the gate of the palace? If you don't come here earlier and line up, it will be chaotic. There are more people at Mingde Gate, court officials, clan relatives The royal family is all lined up at Mingde Gate."
The weather was so cold that Mrs. Xie couldn't help shivering.
Mrs. Zhang said again: "Siblings and sisters, don't be nervous. A high-ranking madam like us stands far away and follows everyone to congratulate the empress. Normally, there is no chance to show your face. Although there are fewer shows Even if there is an opportunity, it can also ensure that today will be passed safely.”
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xie asked, "Could it be that there are accidents every year during the congratulations?"
Mrs. Zhang nodded, "That's natural. So siblings follow the rules, and generally nothing will happen."
Xie's heart was pounding, a little uneasy. She looked behind the carriage.
Mrs. Zhang followed Xie's gaze, and it turned out that Mrs. Xie was looking at the carriage that Gu Yue was riding in.
That's right, Gu Yue is the only one who makes a fuss among the three girls who were born in the first marriage.
Originally, Mrs. Xie didn't want to bring Gu Yue into the palace, but she was worried that Gu Yue would make a big fuss in the mansion, and the New Year's Eve would make a fuss.
It was the first time to go to the palace to congratulate, Xie thought about it, and brought Gu Yue out to see the world.
In a few months, Gu Yue will be married to Haixibo Mansion, if he has never been to the palace gate, it is quite ignorant to say it.
Gu Yue grabbed the handkerchief, nervous and excited. She had planned a long time ago, she must behave well today, and let the world know that she is a very well-behaved girl.
Gu Jiu was sitting in the carriage, dozing off.
According to the palace rules, only one maid can be brought into the palace. Gu Jiu clicked on Qing Mei's name.
Qingmei glanced out of the carriage, all the carriages were hung with lanterns, and they came down row by row, looking very spectacular.
Outside the lights, it was pitch black, and I couldn't see my fingers.
She muttered, "I don't know when I will be able to enter the palace."
Gu Jiu was sleeping soundly and was about to enter the palace, which did not affect her at all.
Qingmei secretly smiled, "Young lady has such a big heart."
Gu Jiu tilted her head and fell down.
Qingmei hurriedly supported her, "Girl, if you want to sleep, sleep well, don't lie on the ground. After a while, your hair will be messed up and your clothes will be wrinkled, but what should you do?"
Gu Jiu muttered, smacked his lips, and continued to doze off again.
The waiting time always goes by very slowly.
It felt like a long time before the palace gate opened slowly.
Everyone got off the carriage one by one, preparing to line up to enter the imperial city.
Qing Mei saw movement in front of her, so she hurriedly woke Gu Jiu up.
"Girl, wake up, I'm going in."
Gu Jiu woke up suddenly, blinked, and asked, "The palace gate is open?"
Qingmei nodded, wiped the corners of Gu Jiu's eyes with a wet towel, and helped Gu Jiu arrange her robe and headgear.
"The girl is so beautiful."
Gu Jiu didn't care at all, "It doesn't matter if it's beautiful or not on this occasion."
Gu Jiu jumped off the carriage neatly, scaring Qingmei half to death.
She nagged in Gu Jiu's ear: "Girl, you should pay attention anyway. This is at the gate of the palace, and all the wives and wives are watching. And what if the girl sprains her ankle?"
Maybe one of the wives is Gu Jiu's future mother-in-law. Let the future mother-in-law see Gu Jiu's undignified side, what's wrong with that.
"Don't worry, no one will notice me."
Mrs. Zhang greeted in a low voice, "Come here. You all follow behind me. Don't look around, don't talk nonsense, and keep your heads down. Try to eat and drink as little as possible. It's best not to eat or drink, so as not to worry. Do you understand? ?”
"Understood."
Mrs. Zhang asked Mrs. Xie again, "Sister and brother, how are you? Are you all right?"
Xie was so nervous that her palms sweated, but she persisted, "I'm fine, thank you sister-in-law for your concern."
"It's fine."
The team moved, and everyone filed forward.
When you arrive at the gate of the palace, hand over your waist card. The servant checked the badges and confirmed that there was no problem with the number of personnel identities before allowing everyone to enter the palace gate.
Entering the palace gate is like entering another world.
No one spoke, everyone behaved well, followed the servants in line, passed through one palace gate after another, and finally came to the side hall of Weiyang Palace to wait.
In the auxiliary hall, there are all the imperial wives of the third and fourth ranks.
The first and second rank ordered his wife to be in the side hall next door.
Mrs. Chaopin, as well as the royal family members, waited in the side hall.
The supporting hall was full of people, Gu Jiu glanced at it, there were probably no fewer than two or three hundred people.
The huge side hall was crowded with people, but they didn't make a sound.
Not only did no one speak, it seemed that everyone had stopped breathing.
In such an occasion, it would be a lie to say that you are not nervous.
Fortunately, Gu Jiu was very good at regulating emotions, so he was quite at ease.
Both Gu Yue and Gu Shanju were so nervous that their hands were shaking, and they felt like they wanted to go to the toilet. Bisheng can't speak out.
Mrs. Zhang saw that the two of them were extremely nervous, so she said something in a low voice, "I'm really nervous, so I counted in my head. Counting and counting, I won't be so nervous."
Gu Shan bit her lip, "My niece listens to my aunt."
Gu Yue grabbed the armrest of the chair, "Mother, daughter..."
Xie looked at Gu Yue with cold eyes, "Listen to your aunt and don't make trouble."
At this moment, Mrs. Xie has already started to regret bringing Gu Yue into the palace.
Gu Yue was extremely wronged. Every time it was like this, her mother interrupted her before she could finish her sentence.
Gu Yue has a small temper, but she also knows that this is the palace, not a place where she can be presumptuous. She could only wrong herself and hold back.
Zhang Shi looked at Gu Jiu, "Is Xiao Jiu nervous?"
Gu Jiu pursed her lips and smiled, "Thank you auntie for your concern, I'm fine."
Zhang felt relieved, "Speak up if you have anything to say."
"Well, I listen to my aunt."
Gu Jiu has his own way of entertaining himself.
In order not to attract the attention of others, she observed the person sitting across from the corner of her eye.
Try to describe their personality traits based on their dress and appearance.
It doesn't matter whether it's accurate or not, the key is that in this way, time passes quickly.
It felt like there was movement outside without analyzing a few people.
I don't know who said, "The empress is up."
In the side hall, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
The queen got up, and it is estimated that in another hour, she will be able to go to the main hall to congratulate her.
I don't know who the little girl was, maybe because she was too nervous, she suddenly fainted.
Gu Jiu was about to walk over subconsciously, but she just lifted her foot before she woke up, this is the palace, so don't mess around.
The raised foot was retracted again, and no one noticed.
A court lady came in to check the situation, and when she saw the little girl fainted, she immediately carried her away.
The little girl's mother was angry and annoyed, and couldn't get angry. I can only go out of the side hall with the maids.
When Xie saw this scene, his heart beat abnormally fast.
She whispered to Mrs. Zhang, "Can that lady come back?"
Mrs. Zhang said: "If it can be repaired before Zhaohe, I can still come back. It's just that the little girl has suffered. In the future, when we talk about marriage, people will inevitably mention this matter. I'm afraid I won't be able to marry into a noble family." Can marry low.
Mrs. Zhang didn't say the last sentence. She was afraid of scaring Xie Shi, Gu Shan and Gu Jiu.
As for Gu Yue's engagement, it's not that important.
Time flies so slowly.
This is what everyone thinks.
But even so, everyone has to endure and hold back.
The sky is getting brighter, and the first day of the new year kicks off.
The ground dragon is burning in the side hall, which is warm, but it doesn't feel cold.
It's just that the time is tough, and many people quietly moved their bodies and changed to a more comfortable position.
There was movement outside again.
A servant entered the side hall and said: "Your Majesty has just returned from the Taiji Palace to receive congratulations from all the officials. Ladies and gentlemen, please get ready, and follow me to the main hall to congratulate the Queen Empress."
Someone obviously knew this servant, and said aloud, "Thank you Wang Changshi."
"Ma'am, you are welcome."
The servant who was called Wang Changshi left the side hall and was busy.
Mrs. Zhang reminded everyone, "Everyone cheer up. When the congratulations in the side hall next door are over, it will be our turn."
Gu Yue said pitifully: "Auntie, my niece is nervous."
Mrs. Zhang said to her with a smile: "Don't be afraid. It will pass soon."
Gu Yue nodded, still looking aggrieved.
Seeing this, Mrs. Xie frowned, and scolded in a low voice, "Who are you showing this to? Could it be that you went to the palace to congratulate you, and you were wronged? Let the palace people see you, what will they think? What if they think you are right? The empress is disrespectful, have you thought about the consequences? You don't stop in the palace, are you afraid that you won't be able to implicate the entire Gu family? "
Gu Yue was tongue-tied, opened her mouth, but finally remained silent.
Mrs. Zhang also reminded her, "Quickly put away your emojis, what did Mammy teach you? You must be respectful! Don't think it doesn't matter what you do. There are so many people here, if everyone sees it, if it gets out, you won't be able to eat it." Walk around."
Gu Yue whispered, "I see."
She didn't dare to be wronged anymore, and she didn't dare to make a pitiful expression. Following Gu Shan's example, she tried her best to appear respectful.
Time passed, and finally it was their turn.
Gu Jiu followed Zhang Shi, walked out of the side hall with a low eyebrow, and went to the main hall to congratulate her.
When I came here before, it was so dark that I couldn't see my fingers. Can't see anything.
It will be bright now, and Lu Zhan looks around from the corner of his eye. The Weiyang Palace is big, but it looks a little plain and bleak.
The snow on the ground had already been swept away, leaving nothing behind.
Everyone followed the command of the servant, walked into the hall, and stood up one by one. Then follow the order of the servant, and congratulate the empress on the new year.
"Ahem..."
In front of the main hall, there was a burst of coughing, which was heart-piercing.
However, no one raised their heads and glanced towards the front of the hall.
It's not that I don't want to, but I dare not, and I can't.
Gu Jiu lowered her head, no accident, this cough must be the Empress.
She heard the sound of coughing, the empress's health is not good.
I'm afraid the rumors outside are true, the queen's time is approaching. To be able to survive until the New Year, I have to say that I have tried my best.
The coughing finally stopped, and there was a slight movement from above.
After a while, I heard the empress say, "Excuse me!"
This exemption sounded weak, but it was full of momentum. She is indeed the empress who has presided over the harem for decades.
Even when the oil is exhausted and the lights are dry, it can still shock people's hearts and make all ambitious people fearful and dare not jump out easily.
After the court congratulations, everyone came to the side hall with the servants.
No matter how big the main hall is, the number of people it can accommodate is limited after all.
In the side hall, the voice from the main hall can also be heard.
The queen empress is talking and chatting with the royal family and the super ladies.
Listening to everyone's laughter, the atmosphere seems to be very good.
Gu Jiu thought it was all right, and after the Empress finished speaking, the next step was to go directly to the palace banquet.
Unexpectedly, a maid hurriedly came to the side hall and asked loudly, "Where is Mrs. Gu at the residence of the Great General of the Zhenjun?"
Xie was still in a dazed state. When the maid said about the town army's general's mansion, she really didn't react at that moment.
Mrs. Zhang reacted quickly and stood up hastily, "Here."
The maid glanced at Gu's family, "Your Majesty summoned me, please follow me."
Mrs. Zhang pinched Mrs. Xie, "Sister and sister, what are you still doing in a daze, hurry up. Xiao Jiu, you three sisters are right behind me, so be careful."
Gu Jiu nodded, "Don't worry, Auntie."
Mrs. Xie hurriedly stood up, in a panic.
"Sister-in-law, why did your mother summon us?"
"Maybe it's because of the relationship with the Hou Mansion." Mrs. Zhang just made a tentative guess.
Gu Jiu paid attention to Gu Yue and Gu Shan, and was also afraid that the two of them would get too nervous and make mistakes in front of the empress.
The five followed the maid to the center of the main hall.
"Meet the empress!"
Everyone respectfully made a big gift.
The old lady Wei laughed, "I'm telling you, these are the two nephews and daughters-in-law and the three grandnieces in the next room."
Empress Cui narrowed her eyes and looked carefully, "These girls look really good, come here and let Ben Gong take a closer look."
The palace maid invited Gu Jiu and the others to come forward.
Gu Jiu took the lead, passed the Zhang family and Xie family, led Gu Yue, and Gu Shan came forward to meet him.
"The courtiers see the empress, the empress is auspicious."
"Ok!"
Empress Cui was in full swing, Gu Yue and Gu Shan kept trembling with their hands hidden in their sleeves.
"Raise your head and let Bengong take a look."
Gu Jiu slowly raised her head, it was the first time she was so close to Empress Cui, and it was also the first time she saw Empress Cui's front face.
The complexion is sallow, the hair is dry and yellow, and the cheeks are so thin that they are sunken. The body is thin and thin, and the court clothes are empty on the body.
This was Gu Jiu's first impression when he saw Empress Cui.
But what surprised Gu Jiu the most was Empress Cui's eyes. The eyes are shining with light, which seems to be filled with the sun, the moon and the stars, filled with hundreds of years before and after.
What a pair of wise, fierce eyes.
Gu Jiu not only saw Empress Cui's ambition and ambition, but also saw the ferocity, cunning, and killing contained in it.
If Empress Cui held the military power, Gu Jiu had no doubts that she would kill those ambitious men before she died, and try to overthrow all the careerists of His Highness the Crown Prince.
Maybe she even dared to kill the emperor.
This is not alarmist talk.
Gu Jiu really saw all this through Empress Cui's eyes.
Speaking of it, Gu Jiu seemed to have observed Empress Cui for a long time, but actually it was only two or three seconds. After just one glance, Gu Jiu hastily closed her eyelids with a submissive look.
Empress Cui nodded, "What's your name? How old is it?"
Gu Jiu bowed and said, "I'm going to report back to your mother, the maid's name is Jiu, and she's fifteen."
"Did you say kiss?"
"I haven't said kiss yet."
Empress Cui laughed, "You are very good, step back."
"Obey!"
Gu Jiu bowed and retreated, and Gu Yue and Gu Shan also retreated.
It seems that the Empress called the three of them to her front just to observe Gu Jiu.