Before leaving, Tan family’s parents reminded that in the Capital City, where many dignitaries reside, and under the feet of the emperor, one must not be mischievous, willful, or spoiled, etc., but they did not teach you how to greet a princess...
Tan Huanhuan recalled the poses taught in picture books and the posture criminals would take when greeting the Prefect of Yangzhou during court sessions.
And so.
She lifted her brocade robe in front and knelt directly on the ground, starting to kowtow, reciting, "This commoner girl from Yangzhou City, Tan Huanhuan, pays her respects to the Princess. Long live the Princess, long live!"
After kowtowing three times, she lowered her head and glanced at the ground, kneeling and not getting up because the princess hadn’t said "at ease."
The Tan and Ji families were on good terms. Although Ji Changzhou was a few months older than Tan Huanhuan, since he became sensible, he had always followed behind her, taking her instructions. You could say he was Tan Huanhuan’s little follower.
He immediately followed suit, eager to kneel and kowtow: "This commoner Ji Changzhou, pays his respects to the Princess. Long live the Princess, long live!"
Huanhuan always called him a bookworm, but he wasn’t slow at all...
Following Huanhuan’s lead never goes wrong!
Ji Changzhou felt smug in his heart, for the first time thinking he was so clever~
Their performance left Qinglian stunned, with wide open eyes, in disbelief.
The eunuchs and palace maids in the palace had never greeted her so formally.
"Qinglian, so that’s how you should greet, sorry, I forgot last time. I’ll do it right away," Ye Zhi thought she had forgotten to greet last time and attempted to kneel down, preparing for the same Princess greeting ceremony, but midway, her hand was pulled up by someone.
Turns out, it was Little Fairy who pulled her up.
What the heck...
Qinglian’s eyes were red, like a pair of lovely, loyal pigeon eyes, making one feel sorry for her, and she choked out a word: "At ease."
After the two on the ground got up.
Calming herself, her brows relaxed, her cheeks flushed, she softly said, "From now on, you can just call me Qinglian. There’s no need for formal greetings or kowtows. In the academy, we’re classmates; outside, we’re friends."
Her voice was lilting and gentle, like an oriole singing, pleasant and soothing to the ears.
Tan Huanhuan and Ji Changzhou found it a bit unbelievable~
Was this really about becoming friends with the princess?
They both looked at Ye Zhi, who nodded forcefully, and they both exhaled in relief, saying in unison: "Yes."
The four of them were of similar age, and their childhood topics weren’t too far off, quickly melding together.
Qinglian had a good temperament, and with this being the first meeting and with the two small companions so enthusiastic, she quickly opened her heart. She wasn’t so shy or reserved, especially with an old acquaintance in Ye Zhi present.
"Qinglian, what is the Imperial Palace like?"
Answer: [Magnificent and resplendent, surrounded by jade and pearls, with carved beams and painted rafters.]
*
"Are there a lot of rooms inside?"
Answer: [Yes, there are a total of nine thousand nine thousand ninety-nine and a half rooms.]
*
"The storyteller at Changping Restaurant said that the concubines inside are as beautiful as fairies, is that true?"
Answer: [No, there are both ugly and beautiful ones.]
*
"Honestly, you’re the most beautiful person I’ve seen, are all princesses this pretty?"
Answer: [Every royal sister has her own charm.]
*
"Are the princes good-looking as well?"
Answer: [Quite so.]
*
"Qinglian, can you take me to play at the Imperial Palace next time?"
Answer: [Entering the palace requires approval.]
*
"I heard the things used by the Royal Family are all tributes, is that true?"
...
"Is it true that in the palace, people could lose their heads at any moment?"
...
The whole way, it was Tan Huanhuan asking questions, leaving others overwhelmed.