Chapter 654: Betrothal by Imperial Decree

The Empress Dowager was quite upset but could only swallow it down.

Then Empress Lin quickly expressed her stance, "I have always liked Treasure Bead, that child, straightforward without many hidden agendas, and skilled in martial arts. She is the only daughter of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, so it’s not too much to favor her greatly.

I always intended to be good to her, how could I have said such vicious words, I wonder which fool tired of living was spreading lies behind the scenes.

Old Madam, please properly comfort Treasure Bead when you return, make sure not to let that child harbor any resentment, in the future, I will call Treasure Bead into the palace again for a good talk."

Old Madam Gu said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, and Your Majesty, for speaking on behalf of Treasure Bead. When I return, I must teach her well not to listen to such malicious words, and to focus on martial arts and studies, contributing to Daxing."

"Good!" the Emperor said, "If all ministers could teach their children as Old Madam Gu does, our Daxing could last for generations."

Everyone present quickly flattered, "The Emperor’s heavy use of ministers like the Dingbei Marquis, valuing the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, will certainly make for a wise ruler of an era."

Flattery knows no bounds, and the Emperor was greatly pleased by the praise.

Madam You was nearly spitting blood in anger, clutching her handkerchief tightly, her eyes glaring fiercely at the Gu family mother and daughter-in-law.

It truly seems that when one’s adversary is delighted, one’s own misery is more pronounced.

Qin Yuan leaned close to Old Madam Gu’s ear and laughed softly, "Mother is really amazing, I was so worried for Treasure Bead earlier."

Old Madam Gu smiled, "You child, just making me happy."

Qin Yuan said, "Not at all, mother’s skills are exceptional, Yuan’er still has much to learn."

Old Madam Gu was even more delighted.

Seeing them smiling happily, Madam You felt even more aggrieved, and could only down a cup of wine to ease herself.

Song Wenyu seized an opening to sit down and explained to Qin Yuan, "I don’t know how Treasure Bead’s name came up, I don’t understand at all."

Qin Yuan replied, "There must be something going on that we’re not aware of, it’s all in the past now. Why didn’t Miss Song perform on stage?"

Song Wenyu smiled and said, "My family doesn’t allow girls to learn singing and dancing, sword dance is merely something I mimic with Treasure Bead. Treasure Bead is not present, what do I have to show."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "It’s the same in my house."

The two of them exchanged a knowing smile.

After everyone displayed their talents, the Empress Dowager issued an edict, appointing the eldest daughter of Vice Minister Niu of the Ministry of Rites as the Crown Prince Consort, and Song Wenyu and the third daughter of Marquis Wuding as concubines.

Song Wenyu stood there stunned, and it wasn’t until someone pushed her forward that she tremblingly accepted the edict, and as she retreated in panic, her unwilling gaze swept over Prince Qi who was sipping his wine, finally lowering with a sense of sadness.

Unrequited affection.

Becoming the Crown Prince’s concubine, she would never be able to be with Prince Qi.

Qin Yuan remembered in her past life, it was also the daughter of Vice Minister Niu who became the Crown Prince Consort, not long after Vice Minister Niu rose quickly, first moving from the Ministry of Rites to the Ministry of Revenue, and then entering the cabinet, replacing Chief Minister Pan to become the Grand Secretary.

As for whether Song Wenyu entered the Eastern Palace, she couldn’t quite recall.

In her previous life, she spent many years in exile with Lin Ziqi before returning to the Capital City, by which time the court’s landscape had changed, and the Song family seemed not to have been incorporated into Lin Ziqi’s faction.

Qin Yuan took a sip of her wine, feeling completely at ease now, as the Crown Prince had completely abandoned the idea of introducing Gu Baoshu into the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Prince Consort was still the Miss Niu from the previous life.

This Miss Niu was the one who demanded the walls of the Prince Mansion to be covered in pepper paste, raising the already soaring price of pepper to an outrageous level.

It was precisely because of this that many officials bribed Chief Minister Niu with pepper.

In a previous life, when Chief Minister Niu’s household was searched, they found a mountain of pepper weighing eight hundred stone, enough for the entire Capital City’s population to consume for a hundred years, the monetary value of which could establish a Gu Family Army.

Someone even composed a poem to mock him saying something about ’eight hundred stone of pepper, a thousand years of lingering stench’.

Thinking of this, Qin Yuan took another sip.

After the festival, it would be a good time to have people stockpile pepper, any further delay, and the maritime ban would be issued.

Prince Qi should have already collected quite a bit by then, it should be her turn next.

At that moment, the Empress Dowager excused herself due to fatigue and left the party, with Empress Lin and the Ninth Princess escorting her back to the palace, while the Emperor remained on the throne chatting and laughing with his close ministers.

Princess Fuyun came over to greet Old Madam Gu, then took the wine pot next to Qin Yuan, poured herself a cup, and said, "What a pity tonight I can only meet Young Master Nantang wearing a veil."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Young Master Nantang is plain in appearance, slender in build, and not very tall... Princess should not expect too much. As the saying goes, seeing in person is not as good as hearing about it."

Princess Fuyun said seriously, "I just appreciate talent."

Qin Yuan touched the tip of her nose awkwardly, smiling, "Then I am being vulgar."

Princess Fuyun laughed, "Don’t kid me, I’ve heard of your extraordinary talents, only that you always hide your edge. It’s a pity that your sister-in-law and husband boast about you whenever there’s a chance, fearing no one knows your worth."

Qin Yuan smiled with embarrassment.

Princess Fuyun continued, "I have to thank you as well."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for matching fragrances for my brother, thank you for making ointment for me."

Princess Fuyun’s almond-shaped eyes were clear and sincere as she looked at Qin Yuan, seeing right through to her heart.

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh.

She’s just like Gu Baoshu, a child.

Qin Yuan lowered her voice, "When you see Young Master Nantang, be sure to ask Manager Leng of Ranxiang Inn for more gifts, saying I said so."

Princess Fuyun joyfully said, "That’s great, I’ve been worried about not being good at solving riddles."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Are you teasing me then? With Zhang Hanlin by your side, how could little riddles stop you? I’m just being tactful, worried Zhang Hanlin might decipher all the riddles at the lantern festival just to please the Princess."

Princess Fuyun mentioned dejectedly, "Since I was injured, I haven’t seen him."

"Why?" Qin Yuan was surprised, "The Princess is injured, why hasn’t he visited?"

Princess Fuyun quickly explained, "Ever since I was injured, I’ve been staying behind closed doors, shutting myself in. He’s tried to visit a few times, but I didn’t allow him in, I... I’m just afraid of scaring him, it’s not that he hasn’t tried to see me. Even today, he’s busy with official duties and really couldn’t come, yet sent word."

Qin Yuan burst into laughter.

Princess Fuyun was indeed in love.

Only when you care about someone, would you be so conscious of your own appearance.

Empress Lin really did choose a good match.

After Princess Fuyun left, Qin Yuan took Yang’er and Hehua to the restroom to change clothes, at which point King Jin also left his seat and followed them out of the main hall.

Seeing everything, Prince Qi discreetly signaled to the attendant beside him, who hurriedly followed suit.

Retracting his gaze and looking at the mingling men and women in the hall, a faint trace of sarcasm flashed in Prince Qi’s deep black eyes.

Beside him, King Tushan raised a wine cup in gesture, "Shall we toast to His Highness the Crown Prince together? Now that the Crown Princess and concubines have been confirmed today, His Highness the Crown Prince can finally breathe a sigh of relief."