Chapter 1828: Chapter 1828: Entering the Palace
Cui Fangfang didn’t know why, but as soon as she got out of the carriage, she saw Yang Ruxin. Immediately, she felt something indescribable and awkward in her heart, so she averted her gaze as if she hadn’t seen her.
Yang Ruxin pretended not to see her either and instead chatted with Hen Ziyue while queuing forward.
Quickly, it was their turn.
Yang Ruxin handed over her badge, a symbol of identity, similar to an ID card from later eras, with ranks engraved on it.
"So, it’s Madam Gu." Unexpectedly, the soldier who examined Yang Ruxin’s badge smiled, "Please proceed that way, the Princess of Pingning County has already sent someone to wait for you there."
Hen Ziyue smiled, "Great, this way we don’t have to queue."
Entering the palace required queuing for identity checks, and once inside, one had to queue for the small green-glazed carriages or soft sedan chairs to get to the Harem, as there weren’t that many vehicles. Generally, there was a round trip every quarter hour or so.
Moreover, these small carriages only went as far as the Dikun Sect, which was the entrance to the Harem; vehicles weren’t allowed inside, so one had to walk to each palace or use a soft sedan chair carried by eunuchs. However, very few people had this privilege —usually highly respected elders with poor health; young people had to walk.
A small green-glazed carriage could hold six people, usually with a master and a servant seated and another person walking into the palace.
Now, the Princess of Pingning County had arranged a private carriage to come by, which suited Yang Ruxin and Hen Ziyue perfectly as they each brought two maids.
The accompanying maid, Doukou, was a close maid of the Princess of Pingning County.
"Madam Gu, Miss He," Doukou greeted Yang Ruxin and Hen Ziyue, "please get in the carriage." She could sit on the carriage shaft alongside the Coachman.
"Yang Ruxin." Just then, a sharp voice came from behind.
Yang Ruxin turned around to see Peng Jing running over, with Shen Shuyi following behind.
Yang Ruxin frowned, "Miss Peng, what can I do for you?"
"Why don’t you have to wait?" Peng Jing frowned, "Both Shuyi and I have higher ranks than you. You should give up this carriage for us..."
Yang Ruxin smiled, "This is the County Princess’s carriage."
"I don’t care," Peng Jing, however, walked directly towards the carriage without forgetting to call back Shen Shuyi, "Cousin Shuyi, come quickly."
Shen Shuyi felt an urge to slap herself. Why was she once again with this fool? She really felt like she had lost all her face, although she couldn’t show it too obviously, so she just forced a smile, "I’ll wait for my mother." Then she nodded slightly towards Yang Ruxin and turned to wait at the back.
At the palace gate, all the young girls would enter first, and the women with imperial edicts and madams who were acquainted would chat a bit, making them slower.
Peng Jing frowned, but she didn’t care and intended to get in first. However, she was stopped by Doukou.
"Why are you stopping me?"
"This carriage was instructed by the County Princess to pick up Madam Gu," Doukou replied with a smile, "so, Miss Peng, please wait for another carriage over there."
"I..."
Doukou disregarded Peng Jing and instead looked at Yang Ruxin, "Madam, please get in the carriage."
"I want to get in too." Peng Jing suddenly pushed Doukou aside and swiftly climbed onto the carriage.