The Eldest Daughter Returns with Power

"Aunt Rou, where are we headed?" Su Yunruo's beautiful eyes turned slightly, her gaze falling on Aunt Rou beside her, and she asked softly. Aunt Rou was wearing a light pink silk dress, her figure graceful, like a blooming flower.

Aunt Rou quickly reached out to support Su Yunruo's slender arm and replied with a smile, "Princess, according to the rules, we must first go to Fengyi Palace to pay our respects to Her Majesty the Empress. Here, I have already sent someone to fetch the sedan chair, please wait a moment." After saying that, Aunt Rou carefully helped Su Yunruo stand together beside the magnificent carriage.

Just then, a figure rushed over. It was Eunuch Li Sheng. He jogged all the way and took a breather when he got close. Then he bowed and said, "Princess, Aunt Rou, we have prepared the sedan chair. Please, Princess, move in."

Aunt Rou nodded and turned to Su Yunruo, saying, "Princess, please get into the sedan chair first." With that, she gently lifted the curtain and carefully helped Su Yunruo into the sedan chair. After Su Yunruo was seated, she carefully adjusted her skirt and cuffs.

Once inside the sedan chair, Su Yunruo didn't rush off. Instead, she asked Eunuch Li through the curtain, "Eunuch Li, shall we go to the Empress's Phoenix Palace first?"

Eunuch Li quickly and respectfully replied, "Your Highness, the Empress is currently with the Empress Dowager. Both of you have specifically instructed me to come and greet you so that you may proceed directly to Cixi Palace for a meeting."

Su Yunruo nodded slightly after hearing this, indicating that she understood, and said slowly, "In that case, let's go to Cixi Palace." As soon as she finished speaking, the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair responded in unison, slowly lifting the sedan chair and steadily moving it towards Cixi Palace. Along the way, the sedan chair moved smoothly and slowly, as if afraid of disturbing the noble princess inside.

Not long after, the beautifully decorated sedan chair came to a smooth stop in front of the Cixi Palace. Aunt Rou gently stepped forward and carefully helped Su Yunruo out of the sedan chair. Eunuch Li, on the other hand, walked respectfully in front, leading the way for them.

Upon entering Cixi Palace, the Empress Dowager and the Empress were immediately seen seated at the head of the table. Su Yunruo dared not be negligent in the slightest, and quickly quickened her pace to walk forward, gracefully performing a standard court etiquette: "Yunruo greets the Empress Dowager, my maternal grandmother, and the Empress, my aunt." Her voice was clear and melodious, as sweet as a nightingale's song.

Upon hearing Su Yunruo's greeting, the Empress Dowager's face immediately lit up with a kind smile. She nodded slightly and said, "Ruo'er, quickly get up and come to your grandmother's side. Let me take a good look at you." With the Empress Dowager's permission, Su Yunruo softly replied, "Yes, Grandmother." Then, she gracefully stood up, took small steps to the Empress Dowager's side, and slowly sat down in an empty seat. Then, like a docile kitten, she gently nestled in the Empress Dowager's arms, resting her head lightly on the Empress Dowager's broad, warm shoulder.

“Grandmother, from now on, Ruo’er will officially return to royal life! Please don’t think that Ruo’er is naughty and annoying.” Su Yunruo looked up at the Empress Dowager with a smile, her big, bright eyes sparkling with playful light. Seeing this, the Empress Dowager reached out and gently tapped Su Yunruo’s smooth forehead with her finger, scolding her gently, “You little rascal!” But her tone was full of affection.

The Empress sat gracefully to one side, her gentle gaze falling quietly on Su Yunruo. She parted her lips slightly and said softly, "Ruo'er, now that you've returned to the palace, if you feel uncomfortable in any way, don't keep it to yourself. Just tell your aunt." Hearing the Empress's concerned words, Su Yunruo immediately straightened her posture, placed her hands folded in front of her knees, and replied obediently, "Aunt, don't worry. I'm new here and find everything in the palace novel and interesting, but I also know that there are many rules and regulations." As she spoke, Su Yunruo slightly furrowed her brows, seemingly a little annoyed by the formalities.

At this moment, the Empress Dowager extended her well-maintained hand, adorned with a jade bracelet, and gently took Su Yunruo's soft hand, saying with deep affection, "My child, from now on, this vast palace will be your home. Whether it's food, clothing, daily necessities, or any other needs, as long as you ask, your grandmother will certainly fulfill them." The Empress Dowager's kind smile was as warm as the spring sun, making Su Yunruo's eyes redden, glistening with tears. Her voice choked slightly as she thanked her, "Thank you for your love, Grandmother and Aunt. I will definitely try my best to adapt to life in the palace and will never cause you any trouble."

Just then, a palace maid in palace attire entered gracefully, bowed respectfully, and reported, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty the Empress, the Imperial Kitchen has specially prepared some exquisite and delicious pastries. We cordially invite you and the Princess to enjoy them." The Empress Dowager nodded slightly in agreement. A short while later, several palace maids filed in, carrying beautifully crafted trays laden with exquisitely made pastries. These pastries were of various shapes; some resembled blooming flowers, some adorable little animals, and others looked like miniature palaces and pavilions—truly breathtaking.

Su Yunruo stared at the pastries with curiosity and couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow! These pastries are so exquisitely made!" Her eyes were drawn to the colorful and lifelike pastries.

The Empress's lips curved slightly into a gentle and captivating smile as she softly said, "Ruo'er, try this pastry and see if it suits your taste?" Hearing this, Su Yunruo reached out her slender hand, gently picked up a delicate pastry, and carefully placed it in her mouth, taking a small bite. She let out a satisfied exclamation: "Mmm, this taste is truly indescribable, so delicious!"

Seeing Su Yunruo eating so heartily, the Empress Dowager and the Empress couldn't help but show gratified and loving smiles. The Empress Dowager, beaming, instructed Su Yunruo, "Ruo'er, don't eat too much! The palace banquet will begin in a little while, and there will be even more dazzling delicacies waiting for you to enjoy. And your thoughtful aunt has specially prepared many of your favorite dishes according to your tastes."

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Su Yunruo quickly put down the pastries she hadn't finished eating, nodding obediently like a docile little rabbit, and replied, "Yes, Grandmother, I'll remember it all." Then, she turned her gaze to the Empress beside her, her eyes crinkling with a sweet smile, her voice as honeyed as honey, "Thank you so much, Aunt, for preparing these for me. I am deeply grateful." The Empress, with a tender expression, replied gently, "We are all family, there's no need for such formalities."

Just then, the Empress Dowager spoke again slowly, her expression slightly serious but her eyes still full of concern: "Ruo'er, there are many and complicated rules in the palace, but all of this is to safeguard the dignity and honor of the royal family. Now that you have just entered the palace, you must familiarize yourself with and adapt to these rules as soon as possible. You must not act arbitrarily or recklessly."

Su Yunruo said solemnly, "Grandmother, don't worry. Ruo'er will study hard and learn the rules so as not to cause trouble for Grandmother and Aunt."

After a while, a eunuch came to report that the palace banquet was about to begin and requested that the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the princess move to the palace. The Empress Dowager rose, and Su Yunruo and the Empress quickly went to help her. The group slowly walked towards the palace where the banquet was to be held.