Mistakenly recognized as a cousin, thousands of pampered

Chapter 145 Entering the Palace

"What should we do then?" Tao Jiuxi asked worriedly.

"It's just that your personality is indeed very different from before. Jiuxi, just be yourself. You will always be my sister." Tao Qingwan gently comforted her sister, her eyes full of concern.

As long as she believed that the person in front of her was her sister, no matter what others said, it could not change this fact. Tao Jiuxi was unconditionally on her side, and so was she.

Tao Jiuxi rushed forward joyfully and hugged her sister, her heart deeply moved. Especially after having seen how horrible human hearts were, she felt that her relationship with her sister was even more precious.

"Sister, I want to ask you a question." Tao Jiuxi let go of Tao Qingwan, and asked softly with a hint of curiosity and concern in his eyes.

"What's the matter? Still so mysterious?"

"After the mourning period for mother is over, shouldn't father also prepare your marriage?"

When Tao Qingwan heard this, her face instantly turned bright red, as gorgeous as the sunset in the sky.

"I don't know..." Her voice was as low as a mosquito, with a hint of shyness and confusion.

Various possible scenarios emerged in her mind, with both beautiful visions of her future marriage and worries about the unknown.

"What if your father introduces you to someone you don't like, will you marry him?" Tao Jiuxi continued to ask, her eyes more serious, as if she was thinking about this question from her sister's perspective.

"Ah... If my mother were still alive, she would definitely ask me what I think. But my father is a man, and I don't know if he would ask me what I think." Tao Qingwan raised her head, a trace of loneliness and helplessness flashed in her eyes.

She sighed softly, her eyes a little vague, as if she was recalling the warmth and care her mother had given her when she was alive.

She knew very well that her father, as a man, might have different considerations on marriage than her mother, and she couldn't help feeling a little uneasy.

However, her father didn't say anything, and she couldn't say anything.

The next day, before dawn broke and the sky was still shrouded in darkness, Tao Jiuxi began to get dressed under the careful help of her maid.

Today she was wearing the unique clothing of a county lady, a red dress with wide sleeves, and a long skirt that dragged on the ground. The neckline and cuffs were decorated with exquisite lace, which was lifelike and added a touch of softness and gorgeousness to the whole dress.

When Tao Jiuxi put on this dress, his slightly childish face showed a unique kind of elegance.

She wore an exquisite crown on her head. The crown was uniquely shaped and inlaid with pearls and gems, and it shimmered faintly under the dim light.

However, although this outfit was beautiful, it made her feel very uncomfortable when walking. She moved her feet carefully, trying to adapt to the weight on her head and the constraints of her clothes.

Two carriages from the Tao Mansion moved slowly, with Tao Jiuxi and Tao Qingwan sitting together in the carriage at the back.

After a long half hour, the carriage finally arrived at the palace.

At this time, the sky was still dark, with only the bright lights in the palace flickering in the darkness.

Tao Hongyuan repeatedly warned from behind the carriage, "When you arrive at the palace, you must abide by the rules. Don't say anything careless, understand? The rules in this palace are very strict. The slightest mistake could lead to disaster."

Tao Jiuxi and Tao Qingwan nodded repeatedly.

It was the first time for both of them to enter the palace. The magnificent palace stood before them, and the tall palace walls stood majestically. Just this one glance invisibly put tremendous pressure on the two sisters.

Led by the eunuch, the two sisters slowly came to the Funing Palace.

At this time, the lights in the Funing Hall were bright, as bright as day.

The eunuch told them that the queen was washing and asked the two to wait in the courtyard.

Tao Jiuxi stood in the yard, looking around quietly, feeling both nervous and excited.

In this way, time passed slowly in waiting, until the sky turned pale and the faint dawn light sprinkled in the corners of the palace.

Three or four concubines also came to the two sisters and waited for the queen to wash.

No one dared to speak loudly and could only whisper to each other.

It was the first time that Tao Jiuxi saw the ancient concubines. Some of them were extremely beautiful, some had dignified temperaments, but without exception they were all very proper and decent.

Watching these concubines coming to pay homage to the queen early in the morning, Tao Jiuxi couldn't help but think in her heart that it was a good thing that she and her sister didn't need to enter the palace, as there were too many rules in the palace.

After all the concubines had been inside for a long time, the two sisters were finally summoned in.

"To the Queen."

Tao Jiuxi and Tao Qingwan knelt together in the hall, their postures very correct and their backs straight.

"Miss Tao, please stand up and raise your heads so I can see."

The queen, who was sitting on the throne, spoke in a gentle tone, her voice like a spring breeze.

The two sisters stood up as instructed and met the Queen's scrutinizing gaze.

The queen looked to be no more than twenty years old, with a gentle smile on her lips. That smile seemed to be able to melt people's hearts, and at first glance, people felt that she was a person who was easy to get along with.

Shen Zhiyi once told Tao Jiuxi that the queen married the emperor, who was then the seventh prince, at the age of fifteen.

At that time, no one had ever imagined that she, who came from a relatively humble family, would one day ascend to the throne. After ascending the throne, His Majesty, despite all objections, insisted on making this woman his empress.

But at the same time, in order to balance the power of all parties, three women were selected from the families of powerful ministers to enter the palace as concubines.

But none of this concerned Tao Jiuxi. She had experienced so much that she no longer judged others based solely on appearance. Today, she only needed to follow her father's instructions and be careful with her words and actions.

"I heard that Princess Anping saved people in Jiangning Prefecture. I admire her very much. I met her today and she is truly a wonderful person."

The Queen had been listening to the Emperor talking to her about Shen Zhiyi and she had been curious about what kind of woman she was. Finally, yesterday Tao Jiuxi was named a county lady, and the Queen thought she must meet her.

Tao Jiuxi, standing before him, was a striking figure. Though still young, she possessed a stunning beauty. Her skin was as white as goat fat, her hair like a black waterfall, and her eyes, clear as a spring and bright as stars, were captivating and irresistible.

The queen sighed inwardly, no wonder Shen Zhiyi was so infatuated, this woman was so dazzling that it was hard to ignore her.

"Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty. I am deeply humbled and humbled by your praise. It is my great honor to be able to do something for the people."

Tao Jiuxi also responded politely with a humble smile on his face.

The Queen smiled and asked, "I heard that you have made great efforts in the flood control work in Jiangning Prefecture. How did you know those flood control methods at such a young age?"

Tao Jiuxi bowed slightly and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I once stumbled across some records about flood control in a book and wrote them down. At that time, Jiangning Prefecture was suffering from severe flooding, and the people were suffering. I thought it might be useful, so I tried to offer some suggestions. Fortunately, everyone worked together and achieved some results."

The Queen nodded gently, her eyes gleaming with admiration. "You are able to apply what you have learned and care about the people. This is truly rare. You are not only kind-hearted, but also so intelligent."

Tao Jiuxi bowed again and said politely, "Your Majesty, I am too kind. I have only done what I can. It is my honor to be able to help the people."

The Queen smiled and said, "The county lady is from Jiangning Prefecture. Are the customs and practices of Jiangning Prefecture different from those of the capital?"

"To your Majesty, Jiangning Prefecture boasts beautiful scenery and simple folk customs, possessing a unique charm. The capital, on the other hand, is prosperous, grand, and solemn. Each has its own merits, both are places where the people live and work in peace and contentment, and both offer heartwarming charms."

Tao Jiuxi behaved very well today, and the queen in high position was also very satisfied with it.

After a few more pleasantries, the queen couldn't help but look at Tao Qingwan beside her.

Even if Tao Jiuxi was beautiful, she was already Shen Zhiyi's beloved and therefore not a concern. However, Tao Qingwan was also born with eyebrows like distant ink and eyes like autumn water, a rare beauty.

The queen's eyes flickered slightly, and it was unknown what she was thinking in her heart.

Tao Jiuxi lowered his head at this moment and did not notice the queen's gaze.

Tao Qingwan felt the Queen's gaze and clasped her hands together unconsciously. She didn't know why the Queen was paying attention to her and felt a little flustered.