Help! The Frosty Noble's Son Is in Love With Me!-Chapter 336: Welcome Banquet

The Empress Dowager is a middle-aged woman.

In ancient times, early marriage and childbirth were typical, with many becoming grandmothers by forty or fifty years old.

Though the Empress Dowager has aged, she retains her charm, hinting at her grace in her youth.

Many good resources in this world are prioritized for the powerful and noble. For example, beauties wish to marry wealthy men, and wealthy families choose brides with good looks. This tradition passes on through generations, ensuring the genes remain strong.

However, the Empress Dowager appears frail, occasionally coughing, seeming unwell.

Qu Fulan knelt to the ground, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, may you live a thousand, thousand, ten thousand years!"

Then the gentle voice of the Empress Dowager came from above, "Rise, let me take a good look at you."

Qu Fulan stood and faced the Empress Dowager, lowering her eyes. The Empress Dowager could look at her, but she dared not stare back.

"Truly a beautiful girl, no wonder Heir Pei follows you around all day, afraid of losing you." The Empress Dowager laughed. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Qu Fulan blushed. Since Pei Ji’an followed her into the palace every day, it seemed everyone knew.

"Sit down, I’ve heard you came to the palace to study etiquette with Princess Zhuyu, and you’ve learned even better than her. Nanny Gui praised you for being clever and smart, and I’ve long wanted to meet you."

Qu Fulan dutifully sat down and replied, "Nanny Gui’s praise is excessive. I initially learned etiquette from her in the palace, and after marrying, I studied under the guidance of the matron and lady of the house. That’s how I learned somewhat, but I can’t compare with the princess."

"You are modest," the Empress Dowager nodded, satisfied with her reply. Just as she was about to speak, a cough interrupted, and nearby palace attendants quickly offered tea and pounded her back.

The Empress Dowager finally stopped coughing, took a sip of tea, and found it too hot, furrowing her brow as a nearby palace attendant scolded, "Fool, can’t even serve tea? Someone, slap her!"

The Empress Dowager said nothing, which implied consent.

Immediately, someone stepped forward and slapped the person serving tea.

Qu Fulan kept her eyes lowered, silent.

The Empress Dowager raised her hand to stop them, "Enough, leave. See how useless they are without Nanny Lai."

The palace attendant smiled apologetically, "Nanny Lai is meticulous, we still have much to learn from her."

The Empress Dowager asked, "How is Nanny Lai’s health?"

"The Imperial Physician said she’ll recover in two days with rest."

"Make sure she is well taken care of. Without her, it feels like something is missing."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, she is being well looked after."

After this conversation, the Empress Dowager turned to Qu Fulan, "You see, this is what happens when they don’t learn the rules properly, can’t even serve tea. What use are they?"

Qu Fulan was unsure of the Empress Dowager’s intent, finding it difficult to respond, so she said, "It is their blessing to receive your guidance, many people can only dream of such a chance."

The Empress Dowager laughed again, "You are one who speaks well, no wonder people like you."

The palace’s praise was often insincere. Though Qu Fulan listened, she only half believed it.

Even after leaving the Empress Dowager’s bedroom, Qu Fulan was unsure why she had been summoned. Was it merely to see if she had learned etiquette well, or perhaps because of Pei Ji’an?

She could not know.

But since nothing untoward happened, she did not need to worry too much.

She later returned to the princess’s palace to continue learning etiquette.

When Princess Zhuyu saw her during etiquette lessons with Nanny Gui, her eyes brightened as if she had seen her parents.

Nanny Gui felt like a wild beast, stepping aside as Young Lady Pei demonstrated today’s lesson, letting her teach instead.

Since Young Lady Pei could learn in one go and performed the actions beautifully, perhaps this is why the princess made progress.

Nanny Gui was not one to deliberately make things difficult. She knew what was urgent; as long as the princess learned the manners required for the banquet, any method was acceptable.

Moreover, in her heart, Young Lady Pei was the best student, a prized pupil indeed. What objection could she have letting a prized pupil teach?

Indeed, during the subsequent lessons, Princess Zhuyu stopped frowning and even smiled occasionally.

While not strikingly beautiful, the princess’s charm lay in her cuteness, her smile exuding a soft, adorable appeal.

This was the last day of learning etiquette with the princess, with three days left until the welcoming banquet. The princess needed to familiarize herself with the banquet process in advance.

When Qu Fulan was about to leave the palace, the princess held her sleeve with a reluctant face, "Will you come into the palace to keep me company tomorrow?"

Before Qu Fulan could speak, Nanny Gui replied, "Young Lady Pei is not coming tomorrow. She has a family to manage and can’t enter the palace daily. It would be best for the princess to learn some independence."

Everyone in the palace was shrewd, and Nanny Gui could easily see Princess Zhuyu’s reliance on Qu Fulan.

At this point, she did not know if inviting Young Lady Pei to the palace was a good or bad decision. If bad, the princess learned the rules effectively. If good, the princess’s dependency was worrisome.

As a princess of the realm, relying on the emperor and empress was understandable. But to depend on a court lady? What would people say if this spread?

Princess Zhuyu felt very dejected upon hearing this, her fragile and uneasy expression invoking compassion.

If she had grown up in the palace, her character might not be so timid. As the saying goes, ’A golden or silver nest is no better than one’s grass nest.’ For Princess Zhuyu, who suddenly returned, this golden nest might truly not compare to her past humble abode.

Moreover, the imperial palace is a place that devours people to their bones. Even Qu Fulan had to tread carefully, never daring to relax, let alone the newly returned princess.

Though she was a princess, the emperor couldn’t protect her every moment, given her age.

Qu Fulan sighed silently and said, "When I have time in the future, I will visit you in the palace."

"Really?" Princess Zhuyu perked up instantly, "It’s a promise, you must visit me often."

Saying this, she extended her finger for a pinky promise.

Qu Fulan had no choice but to join in, reluctantly swearing, "You must remember."

Pei Ji’an awaited Qu Fulan at the palace gates.

"You’ve worked hard," he said, reaching to help her into the carriage, then followed behind her.

Once inside, he embraced her.

With guards at the palace gate, they had to wait until inside the carriage for such gestures.

Upon returning home, Qu Fulan felt a sense of relief. Having been used to freedom, spending a few days in the palace made her feel restricted.

Life outside the palace truly was better and freer.

People often take their lives for granted until something is lost, making them cherish it.

Qu Fulan savored this cherished life, idly spending two days with Pei Ji’an, having been tense and preoccupied during her stay in the palace for etiquette studies.

However, scarcely had a few days passed when Princess Zhuyu’s welcoming banquet arrived.