freenovelworld Chapter 496 People from the Palace Have Arrived, Giving Us a Show of Force
Chapter 496 People from the Palace Have Arrived, Giving Us a Show of Force
Su Wan sat beside her, gradually relaxing from her initial nervousness and unease.
Watching Chu Ruohan smile and calmly handle the overt and covert probing and criticism, she felt an indescribable admiration welling up in her heart.
She knew that if it weren't for Chu Ruohan, she would have been in a very embarrassing situation today and become the laughingstock of these people.
Throughout the morning, we saw off one group of guests after another.
Although Chu Ruohan also felt a little tired, her face still looked radiant.
After the last group of guests left, the lobby finally returned to its quiet state.
Chu Ruohan breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Su Wan, "We've finally gotten through today. Sister Su, I'm so sorry to have frightened you."
Su Wan quickly shook her head, her eyes slightly red: "Sister Ruohan... I'm so grateful to you today. I... I don't know what to say."
She had previously addressed him as "Madam," but in her haste, she changed her address to "Sister Ruohan."
Chu Ruohan smiled slightly, not caring about the details of these titles.
"We are sisters, so there's no need for formalities. His Majesty has entrusted you to me, so naturally I must protect you."
She paused, then said, "These people are only here today to test the waters. Once you enter the palace, the real storm will have just begun."
"But don't worry, His Majesty will take care of everything, and the Gu family will too."
Su Wan nodded heavily, feeling a warmth in her heart.
She knew that the lady before her was not only a powerful ally to her future husband.
He was also the first person in this unfathomable capital city to genuinely care for her and protect her.
She will remember this kindness.
Su Wan lowered her head, her slender fingers stroking the rim of the cup. After a moment of silence, she spoke softly, "Actually, my meeting with His Majesty... and with Brother Fan was also by chance."
The "Fan Ge" she mentioned was naturally Zhao Yunci's alias, Liao Fan, when she was a monk.
"He was seriously injured and unconscious in the mountains at that time. I found him while I was collecting herbs."
Su Wan recalled the past, her eyes glistening with gentle tears. "I took him home and took care of him. He was very weak at that time, but he was always kind to people."
"After he recovered from his injuries, he left, and I thought I would never see him again in this life. But I never imagined..."
She sighed softly; the strangeness of fate still made her feel as if she were in a dream.
Chu Ruohan listened quietly without disturbing her.
She could feel the sincerity in Su Wan's words, that emotion that was pure and moving, untainted by any ulterior motives.
"I lost both my parents at a young age and grew up relying on the kindness of others. I have no distinguished family background whatsoever." Su Wan's voice lowered, carrying a hint of sadness that was barely perceptible. "I am all alone, with no ties whatsoever."
Chu Ruohan looked at her, and the fleeting loneliness in her eyes stirred something within her.
It is truly remarkable that such a helpless woman possesses such a resilient and kind heart.
“Sister,” Su Wan raised her head and asked hesitantly, “His Majesty said that I am the Duke’s adopted sister…Won’t this cause trouble for the household?”
"I...I'm afraid that because of me, the Duke and my sister will be in a difficult position."
Her clear eyes were filled with worry, clearly indicating that she had taken this matter to heart.
Chu Ruohan looked at her gently and said, "You're overthinking it. This matter is His Majesty's will. With this status, you'll have fewer unnecessary troubles in the palace in the future."
"When the Duke spoke those words in court, he tied the Gu family's reputation to yours. We are family, so how can there be any trouble?"
Upon hearing this, Su Wan's eyes welled up with tears, and she nodded vigorously: "Sister, I understand. Su Wan will never forget this kindness."
Chu Ruohan felt even more admiration for Su Wan's intelligence and kindness.
She wasn't unaware of the ways of the world; she simply chose to face them with the purest of hearts.
The next two days passed peacefully at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Chu Ruohan often came over to talk to her to relieve her boredom, and Chu Yueshu would also come over to sit when she felt better. The three of them got along well.
It wasn't until the afternoon of the third day that the tutor sent by the palace arrived.
The man's surname was Li, and he was around fifty years old. He was slightly thin, with a serious face and sharp eyes that seemed to see right through people.
She wore the uniform dark robes worn by the palace, and her every step was meticulous. The moment she stepped into Tingzhu Pavilion, she brought an invisible pressure.
"This servant, Li, greets Miss Su." Granny Li slightly curtsied, her voice flat and devoid of any emotion.
Su Wan quickly stood up and returned the greeting: "Please rise, Granny, there's no need for such formalities."
Granny Li straightened up and looked Su Wan up and down with a gaze that was devoid of any warmth, as if she were examining an item to see if it conformed to regulations.
She did not directly respond to Su Wan's politeness, but turned to Chu Ruohan beside her: "Madam Zhenguo, this old servant has come by imperial decree to teach Miss Su the rules of the palace."
"Time is of the essence. I hope Miss Su will study diligently and not disappoint His Majesty's favor or the Empress."
These words sounded like they were just fulfilling a duty, but Chu Ruohan could hear the indifference in his tone.
It seems that some people in the palace don't have a very high opinion of this commoner girl who is about to become the empress.
Chu Ruohan remained calm and composed: "Thank you for your trouble, Granny Li. Sister Su is intelligent, and I'm sure she'll be able to get the hang of it quickly."
Granny Li gave a noncommittal "hmm" and began explaining the intricate rules of palace etiquette to Su Wan.
From standing posture, sitting posture, and the extent of bowing, to the tone of voice and the control of eye contact, everything is subject to strict regulations.
Su Wan grew up in the countryside and had never been subject to such constraints.
She tried her best to follow Li Mama's instructions, but she always seemed clumsy.
"Miss Su, you must straighten your back and not hunch your shoulders!"
"Place your hands here, with your fingertips slightly together. Don't just put them anywhere!"
"When you reply, your voice should be gentle and your pace should be even. What kind of manners are you to speak so hastily!"
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Su Wan's forehead as she repeated the monotonous actions over and over again. If she was not careful, she would be scolded.
Although the gate to Tingzhuxuan was closed, Li Mama's loud reprimands could still be heard outside from time to time, attracting the attention of the passing servants who would turn their heads and whisper among themselves.
"Tsk tsk, this future empress is probably not going to have an easy time."
"That's right, Granny Li is known in the palace for being incorruptible and doesn't give face to anyone."
"After all, he comes from the countryside. He'll probably have a tough time learning these rules."
Chu Ruohan listened from a short distance away, her brows furrowed slightly.
She knew that the palace had strict rules and understood the duties of the teaching nanny, but Li nanny's strictness, even to the point of being nitpicky, was a bit too much.
When she entered Tingzhuxuan, she saw Su Wan being ordered by Granny Li to do a curtsy for the tenth time because it wasn't done correctly.