Chapter 423: First Update on Shangsi Festival(1)_1
The Jade Palace, where the Empress resides, has two courtyards, both front and rear. The front hall of the front courtyard is the Jade Palace itself, consisting of five spacious rooms, three of which are in a portico, along with an additional three rooms each in the east and west wings. However, the Empress doesn’t usually stay in the front yard but resides in the Flower House in the backyard instead.
The Flower House, named for the hundreds, if not thousands, of rare flowers growing within it, also has five spacious rooms, along with side rooms on each side. Three temples each on the east and west, the colourful glazed tiles, the frescoes painted beneath the eaves, the modest and serene palace maids and eunuchs all contributed to giving the entire palace a rich royal atmosphere.
At this time, the Empress of the Great Jin Nation was reclining half-sitting on the couch in the warm pavilion within the Flower House. She was dressed in a bright red satin floral and bird patterned embroidered shirt, a golden thread embroidered long skirt, her shiny jet-black hair casually pulled up into a bun on top of her head, and she was resting her eyes on a pillow.
Beside the couch, a palace maid was kneeling on a small stool, gently pounding the Empress’ legs with a pair of beauty hammers.
"Your highness!"
Li Zequan, the Chief Eunuch of the Jade Palace, walked in quietly with a bow, whispering: "Your Highness, the wife of Duke Li Guo is here, she is waiting outside your hall for an audience with you."
Empress Mo slowly opened her eyes and said, "Mother is here? Please—"
She sat up from the couch and the palace maid on the stool quickly put down the beauty hammers, kneeling on the ground to help her put on her brocaded shoes embroidered with a nine-tailed colorful phoenix holding a pearl.
Just as she was putting them on, Lady Liu, the white-haired wife of Duke Li Guo, had already been led in by Li Zequan. She was wearing the delightful attire of first class honour and holding the hand of a maidservant. When she saw Empress Mo, she bent to bow.
"Lady Liu of the Duke Li Guo’s Mansion pays respect,"
"Mother!"