Quickly wear it with your skills

As they were packing, the housekeeper came over and handed over an invitation. Lan Hanlu knew that this was the chrysanthemum viewing banquet that the eldest princess was going to host. Every year, the ladies of the capital loved to hold banquets to appreciate the plum blossoms in spring, the lotus in summer, and the chrysanthemums in autumn.

First, it's to build relationships. Second, it's to increase opportunities for young men and women to interact, often referred to as a matchmaking banquet. Third, it's to demonstrate their respective status.

Lan Hanlu finished reading the note and handed it to Nanny Huang. Nanny Huang said, "I'll go see how Madam's clothes are doing. We need to prepare at least two or three sets. Then, we can choose a set of jewelry from the things the Emperor has given us. That way, no one will look down on Madam."

Her arrangements were quite good, so Lan Hanlu nodded and let her go. At this moment, Nanny Du came forward and replied, "Madam, I have prepared some medicinal baths for you to relieve your fatigue. I was wondering if you would like to take a bath now or after dinner."

The family still only has two meals a day. Before, she could have some snacks if she was hungry. But she had been busy all day and was already hungry. "After dinner, let's go. I'm a little hungry."

Nanny Du also went down to make arrangements.

Lan Hanlu was not used to having two meals a day, but she didn't have time to change. After dinner and taking a shower, she lay on the small couch and felt relaxed.

Nanny Du’s medicinal bath is very effective. My muscles, which were a little sore, are now much more relaxed. I have a banquet tomorrow, so I won’t do anything tonight and will rest early.

The next day, Lan Hanlu woke up early, ate breakfast, and began to clean up. She wore a turquoise dress. The hem was wide, its pleats shimmering like snow and moonlight. The long skirt, flowing down her back, accentuated her slender figure. The sleeves were loose, and due to time constraints, only the cuffs and collar were embroidered with auspicious designs in gold and silver thread.

But it is this simplicity that makes her look elegant and refined. The jewelry she wears around her waist and on her head are all gifts from the emperor and the empress.

The most eye-catching thing is the royal blue hairpin with kingfisher feathers, which is the symbol of her title as a lady of noble rank, and it matches the group of people, coupled with her dazzling face.

She put on some light makeup and stood in front of the window, looking extremely dazzling. "Is the butler's car ready?"

A cool, lazy voice echoed, and the maids and servants in the room finally came back to their senses from the beautiful scenery. "The reply to the madam has been prepared, and twelve guards have been ordered to accompany her."

"Well, that's good. Litchi stays at home, and the others follow me." After leaving the mansion, the servant knelt on the ground. Grape helped him step on the man's back, and then got on the carriage.

Grape and Nanny Huang followed suit, and Nanny Du and three other maids boarded the rear carriage. Guards were scattered in front and behind the carriages. The group headed towards the princess's residence in a grand procession.

The nanny reminded her to go out at the right time, so they would not go too early to appear attentive, nor too late to appear careless.

The Princess's Mansion was hosting a banquet, and at this time of year, there were quite a few people coming and going. It took Lan Hanlu and her companions a while to get their carriages to the door.

She was helped out of the carriage and when she looked towards the gate of the mansion, the crowd of onlookers were stunned by what a dazzling beauty she was.

Lan Hanlu entered the mansion under the guidance of the servants of the princess's mansion and surrounded by maids and old women.

Given Lou Xiao's status and official position, her imperial edict would naturally be sent to the main hall. Some ladies of lower status would be taken to the side room to gather after greeting the princess.

When she entered, many ladies were already seated on either side of the room, and the princess naturally sat at the head. Lan Hanlu walked gracefully to the princess and knelt in greeting.

"I, Lou Lan, wife of General Dingguo, greet the Princess. May you be blessed with good health." Just then, whispers suddenly rang out in the room, dispelling the momentary silence that had settled when she entered.

"Ah, so you're Lou Xiao's wife! You're truly a beauty. If you hadn't married, you'd be the most beautiful woman in Daxia. It's a shame you were plucked so early by that warrior Lou Xiao."

As the princess spoke, she grabbed her hand and asked her to sit below her, in the first seat.

Lan Hanlu lowered her head shyly. "If someone else complimented me, I would accept it. The eldest princess is bright and generous, she is a true beauty. But when you praise me like this, it makes me feel ashamed."

The eldest princess is indeed very beautiful, and she is the kind of person who is gorgeous and flamboyant, which is related to her own temperament.

"Oh my, look, she is not only a beauty but also a sweet talker." The eldest princess had contributed to the emperor's fight for the throne.

Therefore, her political stance is consistent with that of the emperor. Since the emperor protects Lou Xiao's wife, she will naturally not let her suffer any grievances at his own banquet.

In her previous life, Lan Hanlu was the target of gossip at a banquet by other ladies. As a teenager, she had no way to refute the gossip. It was the eldest princess who stepped in to punish them, but rumors can't be silenced simply by punishment.

Instead, the rumors were spreading more and more intensely in private. Thinking of this, she covered the corners of her lips with a handkerchief. She hoped that no one would do the same thing today as in the previous life, otherwise, ha!

At this time, a maid whispered something in the eldest princess's ear. The eldest princess smiled, said hello to everyone and left. Given her status, no one was so ignorant as to ask about her affairs.

A group of people were talking about their children, clothes, jewelry, and appearance. Sitting next to her was the wife of the Minister of Personnel. This lady should be in her 40s, but she was well-maintained and looked to be in her early 30s.

She looked a little plump, but with a slightly raised mouth, she looked very friendly. She asked Lan Hanlu a few questions and the two started chatting.

Although they were chatting with each other, everyone was observing Lan Hanlu intentionally or unintentionally. They saw that her makeup was light and delicate, her clothes were elegant and appropriate, she walked, sat and lay down in a proper manner, and even the way she drank tea was full of charm.

There were fewer prejudices against her. Of course, some people's impressions of her improved, while others deteriorated. For example, Qiu Yiyi, the granddaughter of the Minister of War, had been criticizing Lan Hanlu severely before she met her.

When she first saw that the person was so outstanding, she naturally felt unbalanced. In her opinion, this was a slap in her face. How could she get along with her peers in the future?

With dirty thoughts in mind, she did not go to the side room with her sisters. Instead, she stood behind her mother who was sitting near the door, staring at Lan Hanlu.

Lan Hanlu had keen senses and had discovered her long ago. She also knew who this person was. After all, they had dealt with each other in her previous life. However, she didn't know him in this life, so she didn't pay much attention to him.

"Madam Lou, your makeup looks clean, clear, and delicate. Do you have any secrets? Could you share them with us?" The person who spoke was in her fifties. She was Madam Gu, the Prince's Grand Tutor. Although she took good care of herself, her skin was dull.

It is difficult to apply makeup on skin like this. If you apply powder too thickly or too thinly, it will look awkward. In fact, most of the powders nowadays are lead powders, which are not fine enough. It looks ugly and painful to apply them on the face.