Shaohua is Junqing

In order to meet the Queen Mother, Prince Chen specially ordered people to make new winter clothes for Siyu. Although she was just a little princess with no power or influence, she could not be looked down upon or outdone by those young ladies from aristocratic families or princes and noble ladies.

A colorful brocade skirt, a plain velvet jacket with embroidered flowers, a brocade top with peony patterns, a soft fur brocade cape, and a pair of fox fur boots.

This winter outfit looks gorgeous yet not vulgar, beautiful yet not gaudy on Siyu. It brings out Siyu's beauty without being too ostentatious, and it also provides good warmth retention.

Beitang Mo Ran looked at the extremely beautiful Si Yu in front of him, and his love for her increased a little more.

"On New Year's Eve, I will go with the Emperor to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests to worship our ancestors and pray for blessings. I will not be able to accompany you into the palace."

"It doesn't matter. National gifts are important. I can still tell the difference between the primary and the secondary."

"General Chu has to go too according to his rank, and he won't be able to stay by your side to protect you."

"I'm just going to the palace to pay homage to the Queen Mother. As long as the Queen Mother doesn't cause trouble for me, nothing should happen." Siyu knew that Beitang Mo Ran was worried about her, so she tried her best to comfort him.

"I will send another of my trusted men to follow you in disguise as a servant, and have Caidie follow you as well. If anything happens, have one of them come and inform me."

"I know, don't worry, I will take good care of myself."

"The audience with the Queen Mother usually doesn't take too long. When you're done, you should go straight back to the palace and wait for me. Don't go somewhere else."

"Okay, I'll wait for you to come back and eat dumplings together."

Beitang Mo Ran smiled and touched Siyu's head. He really didn't want to be separated from her for a moment.

New Year's Eve arrived quickly. Siyu put on the winter clothes specially made for her by the Prince of Chen, and accompanied by Caidie and Xiaoma, she went into the palace to pay homage to the Queen Mother.

Because it was Chinese New Year, every corner of the palace was decorated with red lanterns hung up, the word "Fu" pasted on the wall, and window grilles on the windows.

The audience with the Empress Dowager was scheduled for the morning. Starting from the hour of noon, the families of officials of the second rank and above began to go to the palace in horse-drawn carriages.

The carriage could not go any further at Jiade Gate, so the family members got off here and walked to the side hall of Shoukang Palace - Anren Hall, to pay homage to the empress dowager.

Siyu didn't want to crowd with the officials' families, so she left Prince Chen's Mansion after the morning hour. When she got out of the Jiade Gate, she saw the small square in front of the gate was full of carriages.

"There are so many carriages. It seems that there are many people going to the palace to pay homage to the Queen Mother!" Siyu couldn't help but sigh.

"There are about twenty to thirty civil and military officials above the second rank in the capital. Each official has at least two family members who will go to the palace to pay homage to the empress dowager, so the number will not be small." Xiao Ma explained on the side.

"To be honest, if the Queen Mother hadn't issued an oral order, insisting that I come to the court, I really wouldn't want to hang out with these young ladies from aristocratic families and noble ladies."

"I know that the princess dislikes these red tapes, but since we have come this far, please be patient. The audience will not take long."

"Okay, let's go."

Siyu, Caidie and Xiaoma came to Anren Hall. The hall was already full of people, including officials' wives, concubines and daughters, standing in groups of three or four and talking.

The young eunuch at the palace gate shouted loudly: "Princess Shaohua is here."

When everyone in the hall heard the shouting, they all looked towards the door. Siyu smiled and stepped into the hall.

"This is Princess Shaohua. She is very pretty."

"Yes, no wonder she was appreciated by the Queen Mother and was named a princess."

Those people were talking in low voices, but Siyu didn't care at all.

"The Empress Dowager has arrived!" With a loud shout, the Empress Dowager walked into Anren Hall supported by her maid.

The Queen Mother sat in the main seat, wearing brocade clothes and a golden crown, looking elegant and graceful.

"Knowing the Queen Mother, may the Queen Mother live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years!" Everyone in the hall knelt down.

"No need to pay tribute."

"Thank you, Queen Mother."