With a forced smile, Ji Renran walked up to Ji Zizhao and reached out to link her arm. "Coming into the palace this time, I really must rely on my elder sister."
"Sister Renran, you jest. Though I've entered the palace several times, I'm still an outsider here. Today, I fear I'll be too preoccupied to manage myself. I'm afraid you'll have to look after yourself," Ji Zizhao subtly dodged Ji Renran's hand and walked ahead towards the palace gates.
Ji Renran was furious but dared not show it, so she quickly followed behind Ji Zizhao.
Entering from the west gate, a winding path led to a palace road paved with blue bricks. Although not the main thoroughfare of the palace, the pavilions, towers, and rocky gardens nearby were still magnificently breathtaking.
However, for Ji Zizhao, even the most beautiful scenery was merely fleeting. With the memories of her past life, she sought equality and freedom, not to spend her entire life locked in this gilded cage after all her struggles.
But the same scenery felt different in Ji Renran's eyes. She had once stood on high ground, gazing at the direction of the palace. Back then, no matter how she fantasized, it was not the same as walking within the palace walls now. Only by stepping onto the palace grounds did she truly understand what honor felt like. Unfortunately, at this moment, she was but an invisible presence in this palace. But it didn't matter; as long as she had the Fifth Prince's backing, she would one day become one of the mistresses of this palace.
After traversing the winding, secluded path, they arrived at the blue-brick paved palace road. At this moment, many elegantly dressed young ladies stood in neat rows on both sides of the road. The imperial palace was like this, with rules to be observed everywhere. For today's imperial banquet, whether they were daughters of officials from the capital or ladies of noble families, they had to wait respectfully on the side. Palace attendants would then lead them in batches to designated sleeping quarters to await the banquet's commencement.
Just as Ji Zizhao and Ji Renran reached the end of the queue, a palace maid hurried towards them. This action attracted the attention of all the young ladies nearby. The maid first curtsied, "Your servant greets Princess Ronghe."
Ji Zizhao blinked in surprise before saying, "You may rise."
Seeing that she had not mistaken, the maid straightened up and continued, "Aunt Jianqiu specifically instructed before leaving the palace that, given the crowd today, Princess Ronghe might feel uneasy. Therefore, she specifically sent this servant to wait here to lead Princess Ronghe."
The name Jianqiu was known to all the young ladies present. Although she was the former Empress Dowager's personal attendant, she was ultimately a servant and not worth mentioning. However, the honor of being able to depart ahead of others while everyone else had to wait obediently made the attending young ladies extremely envious.
Ji Zizhao felt a warmth in her heart, thinking of Jianqiu's thoughtfulness. Ji Zizhao could not refuse Jianqiu's kindness, so she looked at the maid and said, "In that case, thank you for your trouble." The maid curtsied again before leading the way. Under the envious gaze of a crowd of young ladies, Ji Zizhao turned and left.
Ji Renran knew that the maid had not called her name, and even if she followed now, it wouldn't be much of a face-saver. However, being able to proceed ahead was better than waiting around. Gritting her teeth, she caught up to Ji Zizhao, making small talk along the way, as if they were deeply affectionate sisters. Ji Zizhao saw through it but did not expose it. After all, they were in the palace, and any unpleasantness between her and Ji Renran would only make them a laughingstock. Seeing this, Ji Renran moved even closer to Ji Zizhao.
Turning a corner, they saw a palace attendant in official attire leading a group of young eunuchs. The person walking at the front was clearly a eunuch, but his demeanor and bearing were different from the rest who bowed their heads subserviently, even their breaths careful. Coincidentally, several young ladies from official families walking ahead recognized the eunuch and stopped to greet him. However, the leading eunuch, while replying, still spoke with considerable arrogance. Ji Renran had seen the young ladies in front; they were renowned beauties from noble families in the capital. She had indirectly hosted banquets for them several times, but they had never shown her any respect. She never expected that such proud individuals would now be seen with fawning smiles.
As Ji Renran was lost in thought, a white cat suddenly darted past her feet. Completely caught off guard, Ji Renran's face turned pale, and she instinctively cried out, "Ah!" The moment the sound left her lips, Ji Renran remembered the嬷嬷's instruction before entering the palace: never to shout or make a scene within the palace. But it was too late; the people ahead had already looked over. The eunuch, who had just been politely engaging with the young ladies, strode directly towards them and began reprimanding Ji Renran, "Whose young lady is this, so utterly ignorant of the rules? Don't you know it's forbidden to make loud noises in the palace?"
Ji Renran's legs went weak with fear. She lowered her head and admitted her fault, "Yes, it was my mistake. Please calm your anger, Eunuch." The eunuch's face darkened. To calm his anger? Just hearing that told him she was not a well-bred young lady. "This servant cannot accept such words. I wonder if this young lady could bear the consequences if she disturbed any of the masters within this palace." Ji Renran stood there, helpless, her eyes slightly red and glistening, looking so pitiful that it evoked sympathy.
Ji Zizhao knew that Ji Renran was about to feign helplessness again. However, this pretense of pitiable innocence was likely to be in vain today. As expected, the eunuch, with a nasally voice, continued, "This servant was merely stating facts, and this young lady has already cried until her eyes are red. Anyone would think this servant was being disrespectful. May I know which family's daughter this is, to be so pampered?" He was just a servant; what use was there in pitying or cherishing her?
"I, I am a young lady of the Ji family, and I entered the palace with my elder sister for the banquet." Ji Renran, prompted by this, quickly spoke up. How could she have forgotten that Ji Zizhao was standing beside her? As the elder sister, how could she not share the hardship with her at this moment? The eunuch, who had been reprimanding Ji Renran, was taken aback and instinctively glanced at Ji Zizhao. Then, his tense face instantly broke into a wide smile. "It truly is Princess Ronghe!" Ji Zizhao also smiled. "It's been a while, Eunuch Qi. You look even more distinguished." Eunuch Qi quickly bowed with a smile. Look how well Princess Ronghe speaks. Her words are delightful to hear! "Princess Ronghe is too kind. Just a few days ago, I heard that Princess Ronghe would be entering the palace, and I regretted that the palace was so vast, I might not have the chance to meet Princess Ronghe. I didn't expect such a coincidence." "It is my good fortune to meet Eunuch Qi." "Princess Ronghe, please stop teasing this servant. How dare I boast in front of Princess Ronghe." Here, Ji Zizhao was engaged in pleasantries with Eunuch Qi. On the other hand, a group of young ladies from official families watched with stunned eyes. Was this the same Eunuch Qi who had been so aloof to them just moments ago? How could he have changed so much in such a short time? Ji Renran froze on the spot, feeling as if she had missed something.