Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 620 - 618: Empress Xiao’s Flower Appreciation Banquet

Chapter 620: Chapter 618: Empress Xiao’s Flower Appreciation Banquet

Empress Yuanzhen, Lin Wanwan, knew that today, listening to Lu Shouyue talk about Empress Xiao, it also happened to mention her various connections with the Li Tang, with all related figures being elaborated upon.

Empress Yuanzhen of the Dugu Family, sister of Empress Mingjing of the Northern Zhou, elder sister of Empress Wenxian of the Sui Dynasty, her most esteemed identity is as Li Yuan’s mother and Li Shimin’s grandmother, hence she was posthumously conferred the title of Empress Yuanzhen.

Empress Yuanzhen’s mother was Lady Guo, who bore the most children for Dugu Xin. Among them were two daughters: one became Empress of the Northern Zhou, and the other Li Yuan’s mother, Empress Yuanzhen, making their lineage, although not of the original direct line, the most distinguished in the Li Tang era.

And the one involved in gossip with Xiao Chong was Dugu Yan, from the same line as Empress Wenxian’s brothers of the Sui Dynasty.

Therefore, is the person before her not necessarily close with Dugu Yan? Her husband is from the same branch as Dugu Di, meaning there are relations with the Xiao Family, as Xiao Chong’s grandmother was from the Dugu Family.

Lin Wanwan’s mind raced, having initially sorted out the connections.

With all these intricate ties among noble families, Lin Wanwan really finds it dizzying, merely identifying people expends a lot of brain cells.

In modern society, clans basically don’t exist anymore but even if they do, the relationships are negligible.

But in the Great Tang, the situation was different, with a clan-based society from top to bottom. Lin Wanwan must clarify various relationships and taboos if she is to socialize in Chang’an.

Oh, heartache!

She hadn’t even stepped into Empress Xiao’s garden hall yet, Lin Wanwan already felt tired.

I wonder what Wu Yah is up to, acting so familiarly with me, whether it’s related to Dugu Yan or something else?

Anyway, offering favors for no reason, either a traitor or a thief, certainly no good.

As Lin Wanwan was mulling over her thoughts, she and Wu Shi followed the Xiao Family servant who was leading them into the garden hall.

At this moment, Wu Shi’s laughter suddenly amplified, giving Lin Wanwan a scare, as she saw Wu Shi charmingly greeting a middle-aged beautiful woman: "Aunt Xiao, look, whom have I brought for you?"

The middle-aged beautiful woman, addressed as Aunt Xiao and sitting on the mat, upon hearing this commotion, instantly looked over, her gaze just lightly passing over Wu Shi before settling on Lin Wanwan.

Lin Wanwan felt a chill run down her spine as the gaze swept past her. In that moment, it seemed as if a snake had crawled onto her skin, making her hair stand on end.

This beautiful woman is not kind to her!

Though it lasted only a brief instant, the middle-aged woman began to beckon them over with a smile, her eyes betrayed her true feelings.

Lin Wanwan had met many noblewomen in Chang’an City, some held disdain, some expressed curiosity, but none had shown resentment before, this was the first one.

Mrs. Cui already explained to her the identity of the middle-aged woman—Xiao Chong’s stepmother, Xiao Kai’s concubine, Xiao Wu Shi.

Xiao Wu Shi, Wu Shi, the two are indeed related!

Same surname individuals appearing in the same setting, they are basically relatives, undoubtedly.

Just as Wu Shi was about to pull Lin Wanwan along; a gentle and soft voice suddenly sounded: "You must be Chong’er’s fiancée, Wanwan? Come over, let me have a look."

With this voice, all discussions in the garden hall halted, and everyone’s gaze turned to Lin Wanwan.

Lin Wanwan looked up and saw at the center of the garden hall, a noble, immensely elegant, and charming woman sitting on a bamboo bed.

She wore an elegant black brocade robe, the style dignified and reserved, everything was meticulous, even the most demanding etiquette master couldn’t find a fault with her.

This beautiful woman’s smile adorned with fine crow’s feet that have settled over time, yet smiled down to her eyes, spreading goodwill upon others.

This time without Cui Shi’s prompt, Lin Wanwan immediately guessed the identity of her, sitting in the chief seat, the respect others showed towards her, coupled with her striking beauty even as age could not hide it, who could she be if not her?

Lin Wanwan took small steps forward, using the most standard and respectful ceremonial bow she employed when meeting Empress Zhangsun: "As Hao Tao of Mao County, Lin Wanwan pays respect to Empress Xiao."

"Quick, get up, no need for excessive formality, come forward for me to see." Empress Xiao smiled heartily and extended her hand, whereupon the maid kneeling beside promptly stepped forward and helped Lin Wanwan over, seating her on the bamboo bed beside Empress Xiao.

Lin Wanwan wouldn’t dare sit, though lacking in aristocratic knowledge, she knew better than this, declined repeatedly, ultimately sitting on a small stool placed beside the bamboo bed.

Empress Xiao smiled and took Lin Wanwan’s right hand, gently caressing it, and said with a smile: "You’ve been in Beijing for some time now, are you accustomed to it?"

Lin Wanwan lowered her eyes in response: "Thank you, Empress Xiao, for your concern, I am getting used to it."

Empress Xiao chuckled: "You are Chong’er’s fiancée, it’s fine to call me Aunt rather than being so formal."

Lin Wanwan then respectfully addressed her as "Aunt."

"Very good, having seen such talent as yours, I can rest assured. Chong’er has been unruly since young, hardest to discipline, finally someone to settle him down."

As Empress Xiao spoke, she accepted the complete set of Mutton Fat Jade jewelry being handed by the maid behind her, containing hairpins, forehead ornaments, earrings, Yingluo, and bracelet.

"These little trinkets, I’m too old to use them, you young people would suit them well."

Lin Wanwan promptly stood up and offered a ceremonial bow once again, holding the valuable gift with both hands.

In such situations, when the elder offers, it cannot be refused, regardless of how precious the gift, Lin Wanwan must accept it with a smile.

The people around saw Empress Xiao gifting Lin Wanwan this set of jewelry, their expressions changed immediately.

The value of this gift was such that everyone present took a second glance. Mutton Fat Jade is exceedingly rare, and excellent Mutton Fat Jade even more so, while the set of jewelry before them was crafted entirely from flawless Mutton Fat Jade!

This complete set of high-quality Mutton Fat Jade jewelry, its material and craftsmanship aside, its significance alone was exceptional.

This was granted by Empress Dugu to Empress Xiao upon her being made Princess Jin, symbolizing Empress Dugu’s recognition and praise of the Xiao Family!

And now, upon their first meeting, it turned out that Empress Xiao brought it out as a greeting gift for Lin Wanwan.

Some older, insightful women were aware of the origins of this set of Mutton Fat Jade jewelry, upon seeing Empress Xiao casually gifting it to Lin Wanwan, their prior contempt entirely dissipated.

It seems regardless of Duke Song Mansion’s attitude, at least Empress Xiao’s side highly acknowledges Lin Wanwan.

Afterwards, everyone moved from the garden hall to the back garden to admire flowers, Empress Xiao kept Lin Wanwan by her side all the while, treating her as if her own granddaughter.

Also, due to Empress Xiao’s attention, those around flocked to flatter, throughout Lin Wanwan never once hearing a slight remark again.

Although Empress Xiao has experienced much turmoil and adversity in life, she possesses no air of weariness, instead drawing unique feminine charm from her wisdom, kindness, and strong spiritual power.

So this is what it means to be the motherly model of the entire realm.

Empress Xiao is not only respected by the Li Tang Imperial Family but also highly esteemed among the gate valves and prominent families in Beijing.

This princess of Xiliang, empress of the Sui Dynasty, every gesture is a model for noble women in Beijing, an idol for the newly rich and a pride for the old noble. Those she acknowledges are naturally held in higher regard by others.