Receiving such favor called for gratitude.
Under normal circumstances, this would require Madam Qin to take Qi Zhenzhen to the palace to express her thanks. However, Madam Qin was heavily pregnant and it was inconvenient, so the Old Madam had to step in.
Granny Gao immediately began to instruct Qi Zhenzhen on the etiquette for entering the palace. Fortunately, this matter did not require expressing thanks to the Emperor, only to meet Consort An. Although the time was short, as long as they were diligent, there would be no mishaps.
Granny Gao had entered the palace at twelve years old and had reached her current position by seeing countless young ladies.
For a period, she was also responsible for teaching the palace rules and etiquette to the selected maidens entering the palace. These maidens were ladies meticulously tutored by their families, and some had even hired tutors to teach them palace etiquette before entering. Thus, when these maidens learned from her, they found it easy and performed exceptionally well.
But looking at Qi Zhenzhen before her, Granny Gao suddenly felt that the performance of those others was rather ordinary.
Before her arrival, Qi Zhenzhen's situation had been thoroughly investigated.
Qi Zhenzhen made no mistakes in ordinary etiquette; it could be said that the Marquis's mansion had disciplined and educated her. However, palace etiquette was complex. After just one demonstration, the other party could replicate it flawlessly. Just the matter of her hair ornaments making no sound while walking would require those maidens to train for one or two months.
Granny Gao was momentarily unsure about the accuracy of the information her mistress possessed. Either the Marquis's mansion had hired someone to teach Qi Zhenzhen, or Qi Zhenzhen was exceptionally talented.
In any case, in just over half a day, Qi Zhenzhen had mastered everything Granny Gao taught.
"Tomorrow, the second young lady will only be meeting the masters of the inner palace, so mastering these is sufficient," Granny Gao stated calmly. "For a girl as intelligent as the second young lady, this old servant has rarely encountered anyone like her."
"It is all due to Granny's careful instruction."
When one could not ascertain whether someone was friend or foe, such reciprocal flattery was quite necessary.
The next morning, after Qi Zhenzhen was dressed, she, along with Feixu, went to Chaohui Hall.
It was necessary to arrive early to pay respects at the palace, and there were regulations on how many people could accompany one. Granny Gao had explained yesterday that in formal occasions, a young lady managing the household like herself, without a noble title, was not permitted to bring a maidservant into the palace. Since they were going to see Consort An, the requirements were not as strict, but she could only bring one. Feixu was well-behaved and adaptable, so Qi Zhenzhen naturally chose to bring her. Da Feng Novel Network.
As for the Old Madam, Granny Fang was naturally serving by her side.
"You don't need to be nervous; it's just going to the palace to express thanks," the Old Madam said, seeing Qi Zhenzhen sitting upright with a serious expression. Thinking that it was her first time entering the palace, she couldn't help but feel nervous, and she spoke to comfort her.
Qi Zhenzhen was not nervous; she was merely pondering Consort An's intentions. Gu Sinian had mentioned Consort An to her, saying that Consort An treated him and his mother very well. Was this a case of loving him and extending that love to her, or did she feel Qi Zhenzhen was not worthy of Gu Sinian and wanted to find a way to make her retreat?
"Grandmother, do you know what kind of person Consort An is?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
The Old Madam did not answer immediately. Instead, she thought carefully before slowly replying, "Consort An and the Emperor shared a childhood romance and mutual affection."
Qi Zhenzhen keenly grasped the information in the Old Madam's words. If they had mutual affection, why was she Consort An and not the Empress? The legitimate daughter of the Duke of Huguo, with her noble status, was a suitable match for Chongwen Emperor when he was still a prince. Moreover, they were childhood sweethearts, and their feelings were evident. Yet, she was not the principal consort but a secondary consort.
How could the Duke of Huguo's mansion allow their dignified legitimate daughter to be a secondary consort?