Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Chang Yun and Shen Luo's names weren't among those entering the palace this time, so Xia Yu didn't feel nervous at all. It was those two who were extremely anxious.

"Sister Xiaxia, when you're walking in the palace, just look at the three steps in front of you and don't look around aimlessly. It wouldn't be good if you bumped into Her Majesty." Although Shen Luo had only been to the palace once, she still wanted to share her experience with Xia Yu, who had never been to the palace before.

"Okay, I understand, don't worry." Xia Yu nodded in agreement.

"Xiaxia, once you get to the palace, you must stay close to your teacher and never let yourself get separated from others," Changyun warned anxiously, as if the palace were a monster that devours people.

"Brothers, don't worry, I'll take good care of myself. I'll hold onto Grandpa Li's clothes tightly and never let go." Xia Yu raised her hand and made a serious promise.

It wasn't dark yet when Xia Yu finally stepped out the door, dressed up by two maids.

She wore a light blue squirrel fur cloak over her clothes, and a matching snow hat on her head. Da Niu wanted Xia Yu to wear the fox fur cloak that Madam Shen had given her, but Xia Yu thought it was too flashy. She chose the cloak she had made at the tailor's shop before setting off. It was neither conspicuous nor looked down upon.

Carefully following behind Grand Tutor Li, she didn't stare at the ground as Shen Luo had suggested. Instead, she imitated Grand Tutor Li, looking straight ahead and trying to catch as much of the eye as possible what the courtyard of this most distinguished person looked like.

Perhaps because she felt no fear, she thought she had walked very carefully and respectfully. But to onlookers, she appeared graceful, with a face as beautiful as the moon, serene and elegant amidst the bustling world. The palace attendants who greeted her, seeing her composed demeanor, couldn't help but secretly admire her; such composure was something many noble ladies lacked on their first visit to the palace. Judging solely from her appearance, one would never guess she was a country bumpkin.

When the palace maid glanced at Xia Yu again, she met Xia Yu's gaze. Caught red-handed, the palace maid's face turned bright red.

When Xia Yu and Grand Tutor Li entered the banquet palace, there were already quite a few people seated inside. As soon as Xia Yu entered, she felt a fragrant, warm breeze waft towards her.

Following the palace attendant to their location, Nineteen, who had come along, stepped forward to help Xia Yu take off her cloak, then held it in her arms and stood behind Xia Yu, acting as a human clothes hanger.

Those present were all from the delegation, and many were acquaintances of Xia Yu. Those seated nearby would move around and chat. The noisy atmosphere was not unlike a company's year-end awards banquet in her previous life. Until the voice of a eunuch came from outside.

"His Majesty has arrived! His Imperial Concubine has arrived!"

Xia Yu knelt beside Grand Tutor Li, prostrating herself, and cried out...

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!"

"Rise, all of you." The Emperor, holding the hand of the Imperial Concubine, stood at the top and raised his hand to the kneeling officials below.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Once everyone was seated, the Emperor invited everyone to raise a toast to celebrate the successful completion of the mission. Xia Yu also raised her glass and drank the wine in it.

After finishing the drink in his glass, Xia Yu smacked his lips.

'This looks like fruit wine,' Xia Yu murmured.

Grand Tutor Li turned and glanced at her.

"The Emperor specially prepared this fruit wine for you, saying it was too boring for you to drink tea while we all drink wine, so he put out this tribute fruit wine for you. How does it taste?"

"Mmm, delicious." After saying that, Xia Yu poured herself another cup, carefully picked it up and brought it to her lips, drinking it all in one gulp.

The grandfather and grandson were talking in hushed tones, unaware that the hall had long since fallen silent. Everyone followed the Emperor's gaze and looked at the two of them.

As Xia Yu finished another glass of wine and was savoring the taste, she heard a gentle voice from above.

"How does this fruit wine taste?"

Upon hearing the words "fruit wine," Xia Yu jolted awake and looked towards the source of the voice. She met a pair of gentle, smiling eyes that held a hidden authority—it was the Emperor. He was smiling at Xia Yu, the young girl who had just rendered meritorious service to the Great Huai.

"Uh, it's delicious, very delicious." For a moment, Xia Yu forgot the etiquette to observe when speaking to the Emperor and blurted out.

"Ha ha ha ha"

Who would have thought that Xia Yu's honest answer would elicit a hearty laugh from the Emperor? Seeing the Emperor's reaction, Xia Yu was even more confused, wondering why the Emperor was laughing.

Seeing her tilting her head in confusion, the Emperor laughed again. In the descriptions of Grand Tutor Li and others, he imagined Xia Yu as a fierce young girl. She could speak Russian, capture Japanese spies, and devise a seemingly gentle yet extremely torturous form of torture.

However, just now, when the Emperor glanced this way, he saw Xia Yu finish a cup of wine and smack her lips, savoring the taste. Her charming and innocent appearance shattered the image of the formidable little girl the Emperor had imagined. It turned out she was just a cute and adorable little girl, just like his princess.

Thinking about Prince Lippi's visit from Russia next year, he felt that he would have to ask this young girl to greet him.

He never felt there was anything wrong with this. There had been examples of women serving as officials in the court during the current dynasty. If there were a talented woman during his reign who was willing to risk the world's disapproval for the sake of the country, he would also be willing to appoint her as an official.

However, simply knowing Russian wasn't enough to qualify her for the position of a female official. But given her commoner background, it seemed somewhat inappropriate for her to receive the Russian prince. For a moment, the Emperor fell silent, looking at Xia Yu and pondering what status would be more suitable for her.

Xia Yu felt uncomfortable being stared at like that by the Emperor. She didn't know why the Emperor, who had been laughing heartily just moments before, had suddenly become silent and staring at her.

"Oh my god, could this uncle have taken a fancy to me? No way! Even though you're the emperor, the age gap is too big. As emperor, you can't be an old cow eating young grass! Heaven and earth spirits, all the gods and spirits, please protect me! If I were to enter the palace with a brain like this, I'd be executed in the very first episode!"

Xia Yu sat upright and calmly ate the snacks on the table, but no one could hear the muttering in her heart.

Xia Yu had always known she wasn't a very smart person; her IQ was just average. So, she was content with a modest life. Even after Shen Jingheng discovered half of her secret, she only thought about helping her fourth uncle and Changyun get into official positions and achieve great things. Then, she could simply live a happy life as a small landowner under their protection. But what was the situation now?

"I don't want to be an empress! Gods and gods, please bless me!" Xia Yu prayed to all the gods in her heart while eating snacks.