The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

Chapter 327 First Meeting

The next morning, Zhao Ruhui was woken up early by Zhao Mama.

Granny Zhao was clearly very nervous. "Princess, your maid has arrived."

Granny Zhao was referring to the maids from the palace who had followed them from the border.

It was said that the Empress had specially sent them to instruct Zhao Ruhui on the proper etiquette of the palace maids.

Unlike Granny Zhao, Zhao Ruhui was not nervous. She nodded and said, "Let them in."

She was initially afraid of them, but later she understood.

No matter how capable they are, they are nothing more than servants who serve her.

Even if they were sent by the Empress, they were just servants to serve her.

She was a princess, high above everyone else.

Granny Zhao was sent away.

Whenever they come, Granny Zhao is usually sent away.

After sending Granny Zhao away, the head maid relayed the Empress's instructions to Zhao Ruhui.

"Princess, these are the palace robes that were delivered to you this morning, as well as the jewelry bestowed upon you by the Imperial Concubine."

Zhao Ruhui looked at the gorgeous clothes and exquisite jewelry in front of her.

It was more magnificent than the clothes she had seen on the daughter of the prefect, and more exquisite than the daughter's jewelry.

She was overjoyed, picking up the jewelry and comparing it to her head, not wanting to put any of them down.

"Princess, after you have your breakfast, we will help you with your hair and makeup."

"Today's banquet is quite late. If you don't eat breakfast, you might go hungry."

Zhao Ruhui reluctantly put down the jewelry and gave them several instructions before going to have breakfast.

……

Wei Yuxin came to Shen Cao's room early in the morning, knowing that Shen Cao was going to the palace today.

He pulled her aside and helped her with her makeup and dressing, and even lent her his own clothes.

She hadn't expected that Shen Yu'an had prepared Shen Cao's clothes so early on.

She then helped Shen Cao with her makeup and hair.

Shen Cao smiled and asked her to comb her hair. As for her makeup, she skillfully smeared it on haphazardly.

Wei Yuxin frowned as she watched Shen Cao, who was originally very beautiful, forcibly erase all her unique features.

She was a little puzzled.

Shen Cao said with a smile, "Today is to celebrate Princess Wanming's return to the palace. Why should I, an unrelated person, dress up so beautifully?"

Wei Yuxin was still puzzled, but she didn't say anything.

After having breakfast, Shen Cao prepared to go to the Shen residence.

It was already agreed yesterday that she would go to the palace with Old Madam Shen.

"Miss Shen, the carriage from the Shen residence is already waiting at the gate."

Shen Cao entered the carriage, where Old Madam Shen was already waiting for her.

Grandma Shen looked up at the little girl in front of her, feeling a pang of heartache.

Especially seeing her face now.

She waved her hand, gesturing for Shen Cao to sit next to her.

"Little girl, I'm sorry to have wronged you."

Shen Cao shook her head. It was already agreed, and she didn't feel wronged. After all, she now had many more people who cared about her.

“Let’s go to the palace early today, so we might see you sooner…” Mother, Old Madam Shen glanced at her, unsure how to begin.

"Grandmother, don't worry, I'm fine. I still have you and Wanyue."

Grandma Shen felt that Shen Cao was too sensible. She didn't quite like such a sensible little girl and wished she could tell her about her grievances.

She didn't want her to be so polite in front of her.

She pulled Shen Cao into her arms, saying, "Little girl, you don't have to be so strong in front of your grandmother."

“You can tell your grandmother about your grievances.”

“We haven’t entered the palace yet, so you don’t need to be so polite in front of your maternal grandmother.”

Hearing these words, Shen Cao felt a warmth in her heart.

She wasn't a person who liked to act coquettishly, and in fact, she didn't know how to act coquettishly at all, but hearing Grandma Shen's words warmed her heart.

She reached out and hugged Old Mrs. Shen even tighter.

She now understands why people say that having an elder in the family is like having a treasure.

She was very close to her grandfather in her past life, but he rarely held her in his arms.

She had always thought that was a bit pretentious, but now she thinks it's quite nice this way.

The slight discomfort she felt subsided somewhat.

After entering the palace, Old Madam Shen took her to Yuehua Palace.

Upon entering Yuehua Palace, Shen Cao knew that the Imperial Concubine must be very favored.

The courtyard is filled with colorful flowers and exquisite ornaments.

Even though Shen Cao had prepared herself, she was still shocked when she saw Shen Shuhua for the first time.

She really does look a lot like her, especially her almond-shaped eyes, which are exactly the same.

She now finally understood why, upon seeing her true face, Old Mrs. Shen had no hesitation in assuming that she must be her granddaughter.

It has to be said, genes are truly powerful.

Shen Shuhua is well-maintained and looks no more than twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old.

At this moment, she was looking curiously at the girl in front of her, whom her daughter had mentioned countless times.

Perhaps it was because she had a good relationship with her daughter, but when she first saw this girl, she felt a strange pang of sadness and a sense of familiarity.

She looked closely at Shen Cao's face; her bright almond-shaped eyes added a lot of charm to her otherwise ordinary face.

However, her eyes looked very familiar.

She turned her head and saw Wanyue, who was staring at Shen Cao, and she knew the answer in her heart.

Yes, this girl's almond-shaped eyes are about 80% like Wanyue's.

"Shen Cao, right? Wan Yue talks about you every day, saying how well you took care of her in Xin'an County." She said to Shen Cao with a smile.

Shen Cao was taken aback for a moment, then bowed deeply to her, "Your Highness is too kind. This is what I should do, and Princess Wanyue is worthy of my doing."

Wanyue walked up to Shen Cao and helped her up. She was a little worried about Shen Cao. "Mother, you haven't seen your grandmother for a long time. You must have a lot to say to her. I'll take Sister Cao to my palace first."

Shen Shuhua was taken aback. She quite liked this girl and wanted to talk to her, but she didn't expect Wanyue to take her away.

Grandma Shen chimed in, "Yes, I have a lot to say to your mother. Why don't you take Cao'er to your place?"

She couldn't bear to see Shen Cao speaking so cautiously.

Shen Shuhua had no choice but to give up, and only after Shen Cao and Wanyue left did she take her eyes off the girl.

……

As darkness fell, Zhao Ruhui was also arranged to enter the palace ahead of schedule. After meeting Shen Shuhua, she took her maid and went for a stroll in the Imperial Garden.

Wanyue was worried that Shencao would feel bored in her room, so she took her to the Imperial Garden.

They had just entered the Imperial Garden and hadn't even reached the pavilion when they heard a voice behind them.

"Sister Wanyue, is this the girl next to you that Mother Consort mentioned you met in the countryside?"