Guest arrived at 5:00

  Yang Lan and her mother accompanied the Empress Dowager in the palace for lunch, chatting until it was almost time to leave before reluctantly departing from the imperial palace. As soon as they returned to the Yang residence, without even sitting down properly, news arrived of the Empress Dowager's rewards: jade scepters, silk fabrics, and newly offered Bi Luo Chun tea.

  The entire imperial court felt proud and relieved, and also the wise and beautiful Princess Hui Chang. This was a declaration to all the noble ladies of the capital that I and Princess Hui Chang had returned, still as favored as before.

  The gifts were for Yang Lan, and many of them were things that girls would like. After thinking for a moment, she asked: "Mother, do I need to pick out some of the less conspicuous items and give them to my brothers and sisters?"

  This brother is naturally the brother of other houses in Yang Fu.

  He Hui smiled and said casually, "If you're willing, give each of the brothers a string of beads! I saw that last time you got several pairs of bracelets, you can also give them to your sisters, and some silk fabrics can be given as well, it's a kind gesture!"

  Yang Lan nodded, knowing what to do this time. She didn't plan to let them pick and choose, but instead directly chose fabrics with similar colors and patterns according to her personal preferences and sent them over. Since these were imperial gifts, they wouldn't dare complain even if they weren't satisfied, thus avoiding another dispute over several batches of fabric.

  Back in the house, Yang Lan changed into a casual outfit and sat down with her mother to chat. He Hui gazed at her daughter's rosy egg-shaped face and smiled warmly, "Lan'er did very well today, grasping the measure just right! I thought you would mention something about medicine or food, but instead you brought up Tai Chi, very appropriate!" He Hui summarized Yang Lan's performance in the palace, with a satisfied look in her eyes that she couldn't hide.

  Yang Lan's face was slightly red, but she still told the truth, "My daughter just thinks I'm too young to sell those things, besides, the queen mother uses only the best things, even ordinary things need to be checked by the imperial physician before they can be brought in. So I thought that exercising my body is always a good thing, and maybe Tai Chi would work, even if it doesn't, it's not a big deal, just consider it as me talking nonsense at home! As for food, I don't dare to eat randomly, at most I'll give her a prescription, other things need to be asked from my mother before I dare to do them." She was still very clear-headed about this.

  The palace is not a place where you can play at will, every move has rules and regulations. If you don't follow them, you'll end up being laughed at and losing face. It's better to focus on being filial and obedient, which is still acceptable.

  He nodded in satisfaction, "Lan'er is absolutely right. It's always better to be cautious when walking around the palace. From now on, just follow today's example and you'll be fine! The Empress Dowager is very pleased with you, and from now on, you can also enter the palace by presenting your card. After all, you are of the third rank, so it's perfectly acceptable for you to present your own card. Some clever little things will also please the Empress Dowager. Just talk more about the interesting things happening outside among the common people, she loves listening to that!"

  Yang Lan understood that women in the palace were all lonely, and having someone by her side to talk about the outside world and its wonders would always make her a little happier.

  He Hui said a few targeted words, making Yang Lan feel that the ancients were also very powerful and not as foolish as described in books. It was laughable to think that they would be easily manipulated by a time-traveling woman.

  Yang Xu came back with a good mood, as soon as he entered the door, he burst out laughing, "Did my daughter make another achievement today!"

  "Dad! You're back, are you tired? I'll make a cup of tea for you!" Yang Lan hurriedly arranged for someone to brew a cup of Bi Luo Chun for her old father.

  Yang Xujin changed into a home-style indigo-blue robe, sat down in the chair and took a sip of tea before smiling: "Today when I entered the imperial study, I heard the emperor praising you! He said that you taught Tai Chi to the empress dowager, and she really liked it. She even specially learned some moves to show the emperor, and followed him to practice together, saying it was good for her health! The emperor saw how happy the empress dowager was and felt very pleased in his heart, and will surely reward you tomorrow!"

  Yang Lan was startled, her eyes filled with concern, "Still want to reward! Won't our family be too conspicuous!" She felt uneasy in her eyes, thinking that I hadn't done anything, why the continuous rewards?!

  Yang Xu naturally understood his daughter's meaning, smiled and waved his hand. "It's just an excuse, mainly to show that we value the Yang family by borrowing your name. You don't have to worry, the reward will be yours anyway. As long as the Yang family doesn't fall, you don't have to be so cautious." He shook his head and smiled, thinking that his daughter was a bit too cautious, but also more lovable. She was being so careful just to avoid causing trouble for her parents, having such an understanding daughter made it all worthwhile.

  Yang Lan thought for a moment, as long as she didn't do anything too taboo, it was generally not a big deal. The people of Da Chu were open-minded, and the princesses of the royal family were all very bold and powerful. There were even those who kept concubines and had been married three or four times! Her little matter really wasn't anything.

  She felt much more at ease, smiled and nodded, sat down to tell her father about the scene in the palace. Her father listened with a nod, occasionally praising her for doing well.

  "By the way, yesterday the Zhou family sent a message inviting me to visit their home to admire the flowers! I reckon they also want to see Lan'er!" The Empress Dowager mentioned this and thought it would be more suitable to start socializing from the Queen Mother's residence.

  Marquis Hou's face was calm and serene, with a warm smile that seemed to indicate he didn't think much of it, but his eyes betrayed a hint of seriousness, "Just take them there."

  The Zhou family is also a noble and aristocratic family, who once held military power, which is the emperor's maternal family. Although they no longer hold military power now, their descendants are all quite progressive. The Zhou family knows not to offend the emperor, so after the new emperor ascended to the throne, they handed over their military power in a low-key and understanding manner, never being arrogant or domineering, but also not allowing others to bully them.

  "Is Mother from the Empress Dowager's hometown?" Yang Lan asked curiously.

  "Yes! The Zhou family has a girl who is one year older than you and is very spoiled, she's the eldest daughter named Zhou Ying. You can get along with her more often, after all, you need some close friends in the boudoir. I'll take you to meet her the day after tomorrow!" He Hui Chang Gong said with a smile, bringing up the girl from the Zhou family.

  "That's great, I'll have more playmates from now on!" She was still a bit lonely.

  Second sister is nice, but can't ignore third sister and the others, yet she doesn't like to hang out with them, it's meaningless, having a companion can also go out for a stroll.

  "Mom will take you out to play more often, and you can make a couple of friends. If you have a crush on a girl, you can also invite her to play together, it won't interfere with anything!" He Hui encouraged her daughter to make friends.

  A family of four had a warm and cozy dinner together, and Hui and Yang Xu, the couple, saw their little son and daughter making a fuss, lively and energetic, and felt very satisfied in their hearts.

  The next morning, Yang Lan went to the Yang Mansion to start class with her sisters. The classroom was set up in the Rain Pavilion, which had a separate attic that overlooked the lake when the windows were open. In the summer, lotus flowers were planted on the lake, and the scenery was still beautiful.

  Early in the morning, Yang Lan wore a light green cheongsam with butterfly patterns, a pale green pleated skirt, which made her look even more delicate and lovely. She brought two maidservants, Biyue and Biyun, to the Yang Mansion to pay respects to Old Lady Yang. It turned out that there was another girl in the mansion.