Early the next morning, Lu Wanning got herself ready and first went to greet Madam Tao.
Madam Tao looked over Lu Wanning's appearance and nodded. "This outfit is good."
The clothing was a bit mature but dignified, her makeup simple, her hair accessories precious but low-key. Altogether, her attire showed that she took the palace visit seriously, yet it slightly dulled her natural liveliness.
"When you enter the palace, be polite to the palace staff. Don't speak unnecessarily, don't look around. Stay close to the Matriarch. Whether it's the Noble Consort or any other noble, unless someone speaks to you, don't take the initiative to talk…"
Madam Tao held Lu Wanning's hand and carefully reminded her of all the proper etiquette for visiting the palace, only letting her go with worried eyes as she left for Jifu Hall.
In the main hall of Jifu Hall, Madam Lin frowned slightly when she saw Lu Wanning's attire. "Ning girl, why are you wearing this today?"
Lu Wanning smiled sweetly. "I thought that since I'm going to pay respects to the Noble Consort today, I shouldn't be careless. So I chose this new outfit I just had made. The fabric was gifted to Grandmother by the Noble Consort, and Grandmother passed it on to me. Don't you think it looks nice?"
The words of complaint that had reached Madam Lin's lips became hard to say. She nodded without expression and said perfunctorily, "It looks nice."
Just then, Lu Wanyi entered and, hearing this, pouted and lifted her skirt as she twirled in front of Madam Lin. "Grandmother, do I look nice too?"
Madam Lin looked her over—her pomegranate-red dress, her light makeup, her dainty jewelry. She looked bright and lively.
Madam Lin nodded in approval. "Very nice."
Hearing this, Lu Wanyi gave Lu Wanning a smug glance and urged, "Grandmother, shouldn't we get going?"
"Yes, let's head out."
At Madam Lin's command, they all left and boarded the carriage heading to the palace. Madam Lin and Lu Wanyi rode together, while Lu Wanning shared a carriage with Lu Wanqing and Lu Wanrou.
Lu Wanqing wore a crab-shell green dress today—low-key and unremarkable as usual. Lu Wanrou was dressed in soft pink, with pearl hairpins and dangling ornaments, looking gentle and charming.
The carriages stopped at the palace gate. Lu Wanning followed behind Lu Wanqing and Lu Wanrou as they got off. Madam Lin and Lu Wanyi were already there, with Madam Lin speaking to a young eunuch.
As Lu Wanning and the others approached, Madam Lin introduced, "This is Eunuch Baoqing, the Noble Consort's most trusted attendant. He's here to receive us by the Noble Consort's order."
The three of them quickly bowed. "Eunuch Baoqing."
Baoqing stepped aside and shook his head. "I wouldn't dare. The Noble Consort has been waiting since early morning. Please, follow me into the palace."
Baoqing led the way. Madam Lin brought the girls behind him. Along the way, Lu Wanyi kept glancing around until Madam Lin pinched her hand to make her stop. Lu Wanning, remembering Madam Tao's advice, kept her head down and didn't look around.
Since Lu Wanyun hadn't yet finished her postpartum recovery, she did not meet them in the main hall. Baoqing led them to Zhaoyang Palace, and from there, the palace maid Hongjian escorted them straight to Lu Wanyun's bedchamber.
The room was luxuriously decorated, filled with rare treasures hard to find elsewhere. A soft fragrance lingered in the air. Lu Wanyun was reclining on the bed, wearing a violet forehead band.
Madam Lin led the girls a short distance in front of Lu Wanyun's bed and knelt. "Your Ladyship, we pay our respects. May the Noble Consort enjoy peace."
"Grandmother, quickly rise. There are no outsiders here—no need for such formality." Lu Wanyun gestured for Hongjian to help Madam Lin up and seat her nearby. Then she addressed the girls, "You all rise as well. No need for such ceremony among family."
"Thank you, Your Ladyship." The girls rose and stood quietly behind Madam Lin.
Seeing Lu Wanyun's pale face, Madam Lin's eyes reddened. "Has Your Ladyship's health improved?"
"Thank you for worrying, Grandmother. I'm much better now." Lu Wanyun smiled faintly, unwilling to say more, and turned the conversation toward the girls.
"My little sisters have all grown up so beautifully, I can hardly tell who is who."
Madam Lin followed her lead. "You hardly get to see them throughout the year. It's normal not to recognize them all at once. The one in green is your Second Uncle's daughter, Third Sister Wanqing."
Lu Wanqing stepped forward and curtsied. "Wanqing greets the Noble Consort."
Lu Wanyun nodded with a smile.
"The one in pink is your father's concubine-born daughter, Fourth Sister Wanrou."
Lu Wanrou also stepped forward and curtsied. "Wanrou greets Elder Sister."
Lu Wanyun's smile faltered for a second but quickly returned. She nodded again.
Next came Lu Wanning.
Madam Lin pointed to her. "This is your Third Uncle's daughter, Fifth Sister Waning."
Lu Wanning stepped forward properly and bowed. Lu Wanyun studied her carefully before saying, "I remember Fifth Sister being adorably pretty as a child. I even told Third Aunt back then that she would surely grow into a beauty. But now it seems she's exceeded all expectations—she's even more stunning than Third Aunt was in her youth."
Lu Wanning's heart skipped a beat. She lowered her eyes. "Your Ladyship flatters me. I'm of plain appearance, unworthy of such praise."
"Your beauty is a fact—no need to downplay it." Lu Wanyun shook her head. "It's just that this outfit doesn't quite suit you. I happen to have some Shu brocade gifted by His Majesty a few days ago. The colors are vibrant—perfect for young ladies like you. I'll have Hongjian bring some out for you to take home and make new dresses."
With that, she left no room for refusal. Lu Wanning could only thank her. "Thank you for Your Ladyship's kindness."
Lu Wanyi had been unable to stay calm ever since Lu Wanyun praised Lu Wanning. Now that they were done talking, she stepped forward before Madam Lin could speak. "Big Sister, do you remember me? I'm Wanyi!"
Madam Lin gave her a stern look and said with a smile, "This is your Fourth Uncle's daughter, Sixth Sister. She tends to be overly lively."
"They're still young—being lively is a good thing," Lu Wanyun replied with a smile, but she did not mention any rewards.