If not abolished

Chapter 116: First Entering the Palace

After being away for a few years, the capital was still prosperous. Hu Shanxiang lifted the car curtain and looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar streets.

It was the rainy season in the south, and it started raining halfway through the journey. It seemed to have rained when I came back last time. Everything seemed to be the same, but it also seemed different.

"The girl is here." The carriage had already turned into the alley where the Hu family lived. Hu Shanxiang was in the carriage behind, and the carriage in front was carrying Hu Rong and his wife. After Hu Shanxiang got off, she didn't rush in. She just stood on the eaves, watching the rain and listening to the sound of rain falling on the tiles.

"Hey, why are you standing at the door instead of going in, Miss? The Madam was just looking for you." The servant came over holding an umbrella.

"What does mother want to talk to me about?" Hu Shanxiang heard the voice and walked over.

"Madam asked the third girl to sort out the things she brought with her."

"Ma'am, please give me the umbrella. You don't have to follow me. I'll go by myself." Hu Shanxiang took the umbrella.

"Yes." The nanny came the year before last. This was the first time she saw the girls in the family. It was only after someone reminded her just now that she realized that this was the third girl in the family.

"Hey, where is the girl?" Lingzhi, the silly girl, went to get an umbrella after getting off the carriage. She waited for a while before getting the umbrella, but when she came back, the girl was gone.

"Lingzhi, just now I saw the girl walking into the house holding an umbrella. It seemed that the lady was looking for the girl." The little sister next to her reminded.

"Okay, thank you." Lingzhi said and left quickly.

On the other side, Hu Shanxiang had already arrived outside Mrs. Hu's room. She put her umbrella outside and tidied her clothes before entering.

"Put this over here, put that first..." Mrs. Hu was directing people to put things away when she turned around and saw Hu Shanxiang coming in. "Huer, you're finally here."

"My mother has something urgent to talk to me about."

"Well, I have something to discuss with you." Mrs. Hu pulled her aside and sat down.

"Just tell me what you want, mother."

"Your sister is grown up now. A few days ago, she clamored that she didn't want to live in the same yard with me anymore. It's not easy to tidy up this separate yard at the moment. Besides, if I let your sister live in a separate yard, you two might say that your father and I are partial. So I thought, why not let your sister live in the same yard with you? She is also at the age to learn some poetry, books and housework, and she has always been very naughty. She always listens to you. You two living together will help to supervise her. What do you think? If you think it's inappropriate, forget it, just let her live with me." Mrs. Hu looked at her.

Whether in Jining or in the capital, Hu Shanxiang lived alone in a courtyard. This was arranged by Hu Rong, and no one could say anything about it.

"What's inappropriate about it? It's boring for me to live alone. Xiaoyi is just right to come and keep me company." Hu Shanxiang agreed immediately.

"I knew that Er was sensible."

"If mother has nothing else to do, your daughter will go and pack her things too." Hu Shanxiang prepared to leave.

"Okay, go ahead. I'll have someone take Xiaoyi's things over later."

"it is good."

Hu Shanxiang came to her yard and saw Lingzhi asking people to move things.

"Girl," Lingzhi saw her running over, "can you see where these books and things are placed?" Hu Shanxiang sometimes just picked up a book to read, and some of them would be left in the room.

"Let's put it in the study first." Hu Shanxiang had just come back and was still a little unsettled. She felt a little dizzy and wanted to take a rest first.

"Okay, then the girl..." Lingzhi was about to speak when she saw Hu Shanxiang walking straight into the room. She had no choice but to stop talking and follow her in.

Hu Shanxiang walked to the bed and lay down on it.

"Girl, please take a rest first. I'll ask them to keep their voices down." Hu Shanxiang didn't sleep well along the way and must have been tired. Lingzhi didn't disturb her anymore and closed the door quietly.

An hour later, Hu Shanyi suddenly ran over.

"Lingzhi, why are you outside? Where is your sister?"

"Seventh Miss, please speak softly. The girl is sleeping." Lingzhi said in a low voice.

"It's only been so long, why is my sister asleep?" Hu Shanyi looked at the sky in surprise.

"The girl didn't get enough rest along the way."

"Oh, I still have something to say to my sister. How long have you slept?" Hu Shanyi asked.

"It's almost an hour." Lingzhi calculated the time.

"It's been so long, sister, you should get up, otherwise you won't be able to sleep at night." Hu Shanyi said and was about to push the door in.

Lingzhi came over to stop her, and the door suddenly opened from the inside.

"Sister, are you up?" Hu Shanyi said with a smile.

"Girl, Miss Seven is here to see you."

"I heard it. Bring me a basin of water." Hu Shanxiang said to Lingzhi, and then said to Hu Shanyi, "Come in."

Hu Shanyi came in quickly and said, "Sister, I went to mother's house just now, and she told me that you agreed to let me live in the same yard with you." Hu Shanyi was very happy that she could live with her third sister.

"Well, my mother asked me to supervise your homework."

"Ah, how can you be like this? Can't your sister take me out to play like we did when we were little?" Hu Shanyi immediately hung his head when he heard about homework.

"You're already an adult, but all you think about is playing all day long." Hu Shanxiang tapped her head.

"It hurts, sister."

Hu Shanyi lay in bed at night, praying that her sister would not test her homework.

Perhaps Hu Shanxiang's prayers worked, for on the third day after returning to Beijing, she was summoned to the palace.

"I have heard that the third daughter of the Hu family has a dignified character, is graceful and beautiful, has a gentle and bright appearance, and is intelligent and virtuous. I have specially summoned her to enter the palace today to learn the palace etiquette in preparation for the selection."

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

"Master Hu, let Miss Hu prepare to enter the palace early tomorrow morning."

"I obey your order. Thank you for your help, eunuch." Hu Rong stood up and took the imperial edict. He admitted that he had accidentally stuffed the prepared purse into the eunuch's hand and whispered, "Don't be disgusted, eunuch. It's just a little money for tea."

"Mr. Hu, if that's the case, we'll have to rely on Miss Hu in the future."

After the people from the palace left, the entire Hu family became busy.

Mrs. Hu said as she packed her things: "Why are you in such a hurry? You are going to enter the palace today. Doesn't it usually take three to five days to prepare?"

"It's hard to say for sure." Hu Shanxiang guessed that this might be related to Zhu Zhanji.

"Fortunately, you can bring someone into the palace. Otherwise, you are unfamiliar with the place and I am really worried about you."

"Mother." Hu Shanxiang was reluctant to leave home, but this kind of thing would always happen.

"Sister, it's all my fault." Hu Shanyi said, holding her hand.

"What does this have to do with you?" Hu Shanxiang asked in confusion.

"I... I wanted to pray to God before, hoping that you wouldn't test me on my homework. Unexpectedly, God let you enter the palace." Hu Shanyi was about to cry as he spoke.

"Okay, okay, this has nothing to do with you. Even without your prayers, your sister would have had to enter the palace. It's just a matter of time." Hu Shanxiang was at a loss whether to laugh or cry after hearing what her sister said.

"Really?" When Hu Shanyi heard the news that Hu Shanxiang was going to enter the palace, he immediately thought that it was because of his prayers. Now when he heard Hu Shanxiang's words, he still found it a little unconvincing.

"Really, okay, don't be sad." Hu Shanxiang comforted her.

"Sister, you're in the palace now. What should I do if I miss you?"

"Well... well, you can come to the palace to see me if you have the chance in the future."

"Okay." Hu Shanyi held her tightly.

Mrs. Hu watched from the side without saying anything.

On the next day, the family sent Hu Shanxiang to the palace gate.

"My daughter, remember what your mother said to you." Mrs. Hu said, holding her daughter's hand.

"I see. You talked about it all night yesterday."

"Okay, kid, I won't say much else. The most important thing is to take care of yourself. You will be alone in the palace from now on."

"Yes, there is also Lingzhi, don't worry, mother."

"Lingzhi, take good care of the young lady, be careful with your words and actions in the palace, and don't cause trouble for the young lady."

"My maid understands."

"If you really have something to say, talk to your sister. She has been in the palace for a long time and has experience."

"I know, I know. It's getting late. My daughter will leave first."

"Go." Mrs. Hu let go of her daughter's hand.

"Father and Mother, we are parting today and I don't know when we will meet again. Please accept your daughter's greetings." Hu Shanxiang knelt down and kowtowed three times to her parents.

The family waved goodbye, and Hu Shanxiang walked in. She looked back and saw that the palace gate was closed, then she withdrew her gaze.

Looking at the long palace road in front of her, Hu Shanxiang encouraged herself in her heart, Hu Shanxiang, don't be afraid, isn't it just a palace? After taking several deep breaths, Hu Shanxiang was not so nervous anymore, ready to move forward, and raised her head.

"Why are you here?" Hu Shanxiang actually saw Zhu Zhanji standing in front of her.

"I was waiting in the East Palace and was getting really anxious, so I had to tell my mother that I was coming to pick you up in person." Zhu Zhanji looked at her intently, without blinking.

"This is against the rules. If people knew about this..."

"I am picking up my future daughter-in-law. There is nothing wrong with this. Don't worry." Zhu Zhanji held her hand and said, "Besides, I am afraid that you will be nervous when entering the palace for the first time, so I am here to give you courage."

"Who's nervous?" Hu Shanxiang pretended to be calm.

"I'm nervous. I'm afraid there will be some obstacles. I'll feel relieved if I come to pick you up in person. I'm scared." Zhu Zhanji was indeed scared. He had been waiting for this day for too long, and no accidents could happen.

"Don't be afraid, I'll give you courage." After hearing what he said, Hu Shanxiang's uneasiness in her heart disappeared instantly.

"it is good."

"Shanxiang." The two walked side by side holding hands.

"Ah."

"From today on, I can walk with you on every path, okay?"

"Okay."

Zhu Zhanji first brought Hu Shanxiang to the Yiku Palace to meet Concubine Wang, but unexpectedly the Crown Princess was also there.

"Oh my, your mother said that you went to pick them up in person. I was still half-believing and half-doubting. It seems that Agui is really anxious." Concubine Wang joked after seeing the two people come in.

Hu Shanxiang blushed and lowered her head.

"Grandmother Wang, please stop teasing your grandson. Shanxiang is shy and might scare people."

"I know, I know. This is the person you love the most." Concubine Wang decided to stop while she was ahead.