Chapter 126: Returning Fully Loaded
Consort Liang said with a smile, “Congratulations, Princess Funing! From now on, Princess Funing and Princess Changle should often come to the palace to play. It will be much livelier with you here!”
The other imperial consorts were dumbfounded: How come a princess was bestowed so easily?
Is bestowing a princess title so casual now?
After hearing Consort Liang’s words, everyone came back to their senses and offered their congratulations: “Congratulations, Princess Funing.”
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Consort Liang took off a red gold ruby bracelet from her wrist and directly put it on Xingqing’s hand: “Congratulations, Princess Funing! This is my meeting gift. Come and play in my palace more often.”
As she said this, she glanced at Xingqing, a flash of disdain in her eyes, but it didn’t show on her face. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Even with a great reward, not everyone has the fortune to enjoy it!
The Empress Dowager and Princess Changle, what a good idea they came up with!
Xingqing hurriedly bowed: “Thank you, Your Ladyship. You are so beautiful, just like the Queen Mother of Heaven!”
She didn’t know what rank this consort was, so addressing her as “Your Ladyship” wouldn’t be wrong.
She knew that the Empress had been deposed. Seeing her wearing yellow palace attire, she must be the highest-ranking consort in the harem now, the kind who wants to be the Empress. With such praise, she should be happy.
Anyway, it was all for the sake of getting silver and rewards. It was just talk, not her true feelings!
As expected, Consort Liang beamed with delight upon hearing this. The Queen Mother of Heaven, wasn’t that praising her as the Empress?
Unexpectedly, this country girl has some sense!
Consort Liang was very pleased: “Oh my, Princess Funing has such a sweet tongue! I can’t compare to you young ones. Girls should dress up well. Princess Funing is as beautiful as a celestial being, and with some adornment, you’ll be absolutely stunning!”
As she spoke, she took off a red gold ruby hairpin from her head and inserted it into Xingqing’s hair.
Consort Liang’s family was the Prime Minister’s family, and her maternal grandfather’s family was the incredibly wealthy Yao family. Every piece of clothing and jewelry she wore was of the finest quality!
Princess Changle’s eyes flickered, and she couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. This red gold ruby bracelet and hairpin together were worth at least a thousand taels.
She didn’t even have such fine ruby jewelry in her jewelry box.
Seeing Consort Liang giving a meeting gift, the other imperial consorts came back to their senses and also took off their hairpins, jade bracelets, and other jewelry to give to Xingqing.
Soon, Xingqing couldn’t hold them all in her hands, so a palace maid brought a tray to help her.
Then, Xingqing’s compliments flowed out like they were free!
One moment she was praising this consort for being more beautiful than the flowers in the Imperial Garden, and the next she was praising that consort for being so beautiful that even the swans on the lake would be ashamed and hide…
She amused everyone, making them smile like flowers. The Imperial Garden was filled with laughter.
As a result, the jewelry in the tray quickly piled up like a small mountain!
The Emperor laughed and said, “Everyone has given their rewards, and mine can’t be left out. I bestow upon Princess Funing a princess residence, some gold, silver, and jewels, and ten bolts of fine silk and satin!”
Xingqing happily bowed: “Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!”
Princess Changle: “…”
Is the Emperor’s uncle being too partial to this newly appointed princess?
A residence in the capital is worth at least several thousand taels!
The most important thing is that a good residence can’t be bought even with silver!
She knew that the Emperor liked beautiful consorts and looked at Xingqing with vigilance. She had to admit, this wretch was quite beautiful.
Could it be that the Emperor’s uncle has developed that kind of interest?
This is absolutely unacceptable!
But she’s already been appointed as a princess, so it shouldn’t be, right?
Hopefully, the Zhao Kingdom envoy delegation will arrive soon!
The Empress Dowager was also unhappy. She only wanted to bestow Xingqing with the title of County Princess.
Now that she’s been appointed as a princess, wouldn’t her rank be the same as Changle’s? And the Emperor even gave her a residence?
Just like her mother, she’s a seductress!
She originally thought the Emperor wouldn’t even grant her the title of County Princess and would only give her the title of Lady. To her surprise, he directly bestowed the title of Princess and even gave her a residence?
This was beyond her expectations!
However, the Empress Dowager was still the Empress Dowager. No matter how unhappy she felt, she wouldn’t show it on her face. She smiled kindly and said, “I like a lively atmosphere. Funing and Changle must come to the palace more often to accompany me. I’m tired today, let’s disperse!”
She really didn’t have the mood to see Xingqing fawning over everyone and receiving a pile of rewards!
Princess Changle was extremely jealous, but she still said with a happy face, “Don’t worry, Imperial Grandaunt, my sister and I will often come to the palace to accompany you!”
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The Empress Dowager nodded and left.
Everyone bowed and saw her off.
The Emperor personally escorted the Empress Dowager back to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, and everyone dispersed.
Xingqing, Princess Changle, and Shen Ruolan left the palace together.
Shen Ruolan’s face was full of smiles. Xingqing had really brought her honor today!
Xingqing, holding a tray of jewelry, looked like a money-grubber and said happily, “Thank you, Princess. Without you bringing me to the palace, I wouldn’t have received so many rewards! By the way, I’m also a princess now, we’re on equal footing! I’ll just call you Changle!”
These words were cutting!
“…”
Princess Changle felt like she had been shot through the heart!
Although this was the result she had planned, she still felt insulted!
How dare this peasant girl say she’s on equal footing with her?
Bah!
Princess Changle took a deep breath and said with a happy face, “That’s great, my sister is also a princess now!”
I’ll let you be smug for now. When the Zhao Kingdom envoys arrive, you’ll go to hell!
“Yes, and I have a residence now. Changle, you can come and visit me when you have time!”
Princess Changle: “…”
It’s just a residence. Who knows what it’s like!
But why was the Emperor’s uncle so generous today?
And why were these consorts so generous today?
She didn’t even receive a residence when she was bestowed the title of Princess! These consorts only casually gave her one or two things as a token gesture!
Definitely not as good as what they gave today!
Everything she currently owned was left to her by her mother, Eldest Princess Pingyang. Some were given by the Empress Dowager. However, over the years, in order to live up to her status as a princess and not be outdone by other princesses when she went out, she had squandered almost all her family fortune.
So, how could she not be jealous at this moment?
However, Princess Changle misunderstood. Today, because they knew they could see the Emperor, all the consorts had brought out their best jewelry and worn it.
Who would have thought the Emperor would suddenly bestow the title of Princess? They had to give rewards on the spot!
At this moment, everyone’s hearts were bleeding!
Xingqing happily held the tray of jewelry worth at least ten thousand taels, occasionally saying a few words to provoke Princess Changle, and walked out of the palace with a smug look!
Outside the palace gate
Xingnong and Songbai were standing next to the carriage, waiting for Chu Tiankuo to come out.
Xingqing, Princess Changle, and Shen Ruolan came out first.
Xingqing’s eyes lit up when she saw Xingnong, and she almost ran over.
Fortunately, she controlled herself!
Xingqing quietly raised the tray in her hand and glanced at Xingnong: Sister, look! I’m returning fully loaded!
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