Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, the Elder Princess's investiture ceremony arrived as scheduled.
Before the sky had even brightened, Chu Youning was dragged out of bed to wash and dress.
When Wu Qingyuan came in and saw her daughter sitting with her eyes closed, letting the palace maids fuss over her, she couldn't help laughing.
She opened the food box and took out the dishes one by one.
The enticing aroma of meat broth wafted beneath Chu Youning's nose. She sniffed hard, then opened her eyes and instantly turned her head.
That turn sent the eyebrow Su Xi was drawing askew.
"Elder Princess... please behave yourself."
"Auntie Su Xi... you can't blame me. Mother deliberately brought food here to tempt me."
Chu Youning couldn't resist turning her head and smacking her lips twice.
Practicing all those ceremonial rites over the past few days had utterly exhausted her, and her appetite had grown considerably.
Now that she smelled food, the greedy little worms in her belly began clamoring uncontrollably.
"The soup has just come off the stove and is still a little hot. Be good and finish your makeup first. By then, it'll be just right for you to eat."
Wu Qingyuan shook her head helplessly.
In the end.
She simply walked over, took the things from Su Xi's hands, and began applying Chu Youning's makeup herself.
At the hour of the Rabbit.
The first rays of sunlight rose.
After filling her belly, Chu Youning went with Chun Tao to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.
Then, dragging along the headdress weighing down her neck, she went to pay her respects to Chu Wenzong and Cui Zhao'an.
Once all that was done, she was invited into a carriage.
That was right.
She! Chu Youning! The esteemed