Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 1198 - 1204 Birthday Feast (2)

Chapter 1198: Chapter 1204 Birthday Feast (2)

All the way there, she was brimming with anticipation and hope for a bright future, sitting up straight and full of confidence! After an indeterminate amount of time, the horse carriage finally came to a stop, and the eunuch responsible for receiving Cai Lian lifted the carriage curtain, whispering softly, "Girl, we’ve arrived at Wan’an Gate. You’ll need to disembark and proceed on foot!"

Wan’an Gate was the grand entrance through which the womenfolk of the court ministers would enter the palace to offer congratulations. It was used exclusively by women and eunuchs, while the male members of the royal family and the ministers entered the palace through a different gate.

Cai Lian poked her head out and saw that the entrance to Wan’an Gate was crowded with vehicles and litters, all adorned with canopies and precious embellishments, radiating opulence. Groups of noblewomen clad in imperial decree clothing were getting off the vehicles, assisted by their maidservants, one after another.

The number of ladies entering the palace was considerable, and together with their maids, they formed a large, dense crowd. Yet, despite the throng of people, it was eerily quiet before the imposing palace gate. No one dared to speak loudly or indulge in idle chatter; even when familiar faces were encountered, everyone just slightly nodded to each other as a form of greeting.

Cai Lian, with her heart racing with excitement, quietly stepped out of the carriage and, under the guidance of the eunuch, followed these distinguished women into the palace!

Walking along the path paved with green bricks, Cai Lian controlled her expressions, trying her best not to appear like an unsophisticated country bumpkin, but in reality, she was already overwhelmed by the royal family’s opulent magnificence and splendor!

The palace was truly imposing, spectacular, luxuriant, and gorgeous!

The vermillion wide palace gate was inlaid with huge copper-gold plated door nails. Inside the gate, vermillion jade railing stones lined the many-layered halls, creating an impression of a wonderland—a host of majestic and awe-inspiring palaces and pavilions, glazed tiles glittering with golden light, and atop the eaves of the halls, two colossal dragons with golden scales, so lifelike they seemed ready to soar into the clouds; the ground was laid with green bricks, with the occasional cobbled path, and each palace hall had white jade stone steps at its entrance, guarded by huge stone lions or auspicious beasts!

She once thought Mu Mansion was the most luxurious place in the world, yet compared to these palaces, it was like heaven and earth, utterly incomparable!

When she arrived in front of the royal study, Cai Wei happened to be coming out.

Today, Cai Wei was dressed very solemnly, in a bright yellow wide-sleeved robe woven from celestial silkworm silk and pure gold thread. On her head was a phoenix crown adorned with five phoenixes clutching pearls. Around her neck hung a string of brilliant, large golden court pearls, each pearl perfectly round and full, priceless. On her wrists, she wore jade rings that were worth a fortune, her entire presence dignified and commanding.

This outfit, though grave and potentially aging in appearance, only served to enhance her beauty, making her seem like a jade carving with white teeth and red lips, adding a resplendent and majestic charm to her already captivating beauty.

Cai Lian approached and timidly called out, "Younger Sister Cai Wei!"

The Chief Eunuch Meng Huaian, standing behind Cai Wei, immediately raised his voice sharply, scolding, "Impudent rebel! How dare you directly call out the name of the Empress Dowager? Slap your mouth!"

Cai Lian was startled and stood still, gazing at Cai Wei, motionless. Cai Wei said, "Let it be, she has just entered the palace and is unaware of the palace’s rules. She will learn them slowly over time."

After speaking, she took Meng Huaian’s hand and walked towards the Phoenix Chariot parked in front of the royal study. As she passed by Cai Lian, she said, "Follow along." Cai Lian awoke from her reverie and quickly followed behind Cai Wei. As Cai Wei ascended into the Phoenix Chariot, Cai Lian also hurriedly lifted her skirt and made her way onto the Chariot!

Just as she raised her leg, Meng Huaian gave her a fierce glare, warning, "How can the Girl be so ill-mannered? The Phoenix Chariot is only for the Empress Dowager to ride in. Not to mention a girl like you, even the princesses and Eldest Princesses inside the palace do not have the privilege to sit in such a chariot!"