Chapter 300: The Tribute Pearls and Scarlet Mist

Chapter 300: The Tribute Pearls and Scarlet Mist

His years of mother-son relationship with the Dowager Empress were filled with genuine affection.

At the moment of truth, he realized the inherent difference between a biological child and an adopted one.

Thus, he wanted to honor her memory grandly but also felt resentful.

The Empress's current display was a great disappointment to him.

The Empress also knew that such grandeur was inappropriate, but she didn't dare to refuse or object outright.

Thus, she used Yun Li as her voice.

He Jinning had no doubt that those words came from Yun Li; she dared to speak her mind.

Yun Li dared to lay a hand on Hui Meiren, even though she was indeed a member of his own maternal clan.

Yun Li dared to claim that Princess Hua Ying had not earned any merits, thus her funeral should not be overly grand. Even if she was the Empress Dowager's own flesh and blood.

She didn't mind.

She cared only for herself.

He Jinli took a deep breath and announced, "Send out the decree: the funeral rites for Princess Huaying shall be conducted in accordance with the protocols befitting a high princess, with all ceremonies elevated one tier higher than usual. The body is to lie in state for twenty-seven days, during which time esteemed monks shall be invited to offer prayers. The eldest daughter of the princess shall be bestowed the title of County Princess, and the eldest son shall be granted the title of Marquis."

As for the Zhang family, their rank shall be reduced by one degree. The prince consort shall receive thirty strokes of the cane.

A demotion in rank is of little consequence. With the Marquis, the eldest son of the Crown Princess, the Zhang family will continue to flourish in the future.

With a marquis and a princess at her side, Princess Changping's funeral arrangements would be a grand affair.

The Empress Dowager must have no objections.

Indeed, when the imperial decree reached the harem, the Empress Dowager was satisfied.

"It was really Hua Ying's fondness for Zhang Zizhi that spared him from a burial alive. Otherwise, I truly would have ordered it," the Empress Dowager said, wiping away her tears.

"Your Majesty, please don't cry. The Princess watching from heaven would be sad too. There are still Princess Mingzhu and the young Marquis. Please, don't be heartbroken," Lady Fan said.

The Dowager Empress nodded: "I can't bear to see them now; it would just make me sadder. Maybe after some time. I trust the Zhang family wouldn't dare to treat them poorly."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, the Zhang family's future rests with them. They wouldn't dare neglect them," Lady Fan said.

The Empress also felt relieved upon receiving the imperial decree: "This is good. If the specifications were too high, I would have had to kneel in mourning for her, which would have been inappropriate."

"Indeed, what Queen Qiong said was also correct. Although she was a Princess, she had no notable achievements and didn't warrant such treatment," Songlu murmured softly.

"What else could it be for? Could any other princess's death result in such arrangements?" the Empress huffed.

Nevertheless, there's no reason why a brother can't enter the harem because of his sister's death.

So, the next day, He Jinli went to Yuchu Palace.

He personally handed a small box to Yunli.

"What is this?" Yunli opened it and exclaimed, "Ah, this is really exquisite."

Inside the box was a hairpin with a base of red gold, adorned with thumb-sized pearls. Pearls were not uncommon, but what was rare was that each pearl was round and had a rosy hue.

Even though Yunli had seen more dazzling pearls in her previous life, such a color in real pearls was extremely rare.

There were eight pearls in total, all of the same size, with the hairpin head featuring a simple curved hook.

The bottom was simply designed with a twisted shape.

Simple yet luxurious.

The eight pearls alone were eye-catching enough.

"These are tribute pearls from the east, selected by someone I instructed. These rosy smoke pearls are hard to come by, often years pass without seeing a few. This year there were eighteen in total; the other ten went to the Eldest Princess, for whom I've arranged a marriage," He Jinli said.

"The Eldest Princess is to be betrothed? May I know to whom?" Yunli asked.

"To Fan Mang's eldest son, last year's top imperial exam scholar, Fan Yang," He Jinli replied.

The Eldest Princess, seventeen this year, was betrothed to the eldest son of the Minister of Personnel, Fan Yang.

Fan Yang, last autumn's top imperial exam scholar, is known for his good looks.

A princess marrying the newest top scholar is naturally a delightful story.

However, it's predicated on the scholar being the son of an important court official.

The Empress is quite satisfied with this marriage.

With this marriage, the Crown Prince's position is further solidified.

The Eldest Princess is also pleased, a match of talents and beauty.

"This is indeed a fine match. Congratulations, Your Majesty," Yunli said with a smile.

He Jinli took her hand to sit down and placed the pearl hairpin on her: "The next batch of rosy smoke pearls that arrive, I will give them all to you."

Yunli laughed, "Aren't this batch also all for me? Giving them to the daughter doesn't count."

He Jinli smiled, lifting his tea without a word.

His mood wasn't great, he just wanted to be with her.

Looking at the rosy smoke pearls in her hair, he thought she deserved such fine things.

"Next time we get rosy smoke pearls, I'll share them with you, and we can wear them together," Yunli suggested.

"Nonsense, what man wears those?" He Jinli chuckled in disbelief.

"Why not? Have you forgotten our last outing? There was a man dressed like a peacock outside the tavern, wearing a huge silk flower in his hair. It's not unheard of for men to wear flowers these days," Yunli argued.

He Jinli frowned, "Bad habits, I don't like them."

"Because Your Majesty doesn't like them, the officials wear large purses to the court, just so they can wear flowers after the court session," Yunli explained.

He Jinli was at a loss for words.

Of course, while he didn't like it, he didn't forbid it.

Many among the imperial relatives wear flowers. He just finds it a bit...

Anyway, it's not a big deal. If they like it, let them.

But to carry a purse specifically for flowers? That seems a bit much.

"So, Your Majesty, will you wear pearls with me? We could make a bracelet, one for each of us," Yunli suggested.

"We don't have that many pearls," He Jinli expressed his refusal.

"If we had them, you'd wear them?" Yunli leaned in closer, "Of course, this color really doesn't suit Your Majesty. How about wearing black pearls? Aren't they said to ward off evil?"

He Jinli wanted to refuse, but Yunli coaxed, "Please, my lord, you say you love me, you say I'm your favorite. Are those just lies?"

He Jinli: "Have you ever seen an emperor wearing pearls?"

"I've only ever seen one emperor. Not just any emperor, but my man," Yunli said.

He Jinli...

My man.

This left him momentarily at a loss for words.

"Can't I wear something matching with Your Majesty?" Yunli looked utterly dejected.

"Fine, I can wear it when alone, but don't go overboard in the future," He Jinli said.

Yunli huffed, "I don't care, I just want to wear the same as you."

He Jinli shook his head, "You always come up with these quirky ideas, don’t you?"

"I put effort into you because I like you, don’t get too smug," Yunli lifted her chin.

He Jinli chuckled, shaking his head again, "Really, you have such a peculiar temper."

He Jinli didn't stay the night, leaving after lunch since he had matters to attend to in the afternoon.

Yunli took off the precious hairpin to look at it. It was indeed beautiful, but she wasn't particularly concerned about it.

However, having half of the only eighteen pearls given to her was indeed an honor.

"The Eldest Princess has made a good match."

"The imperial decree hasn’t been issued yet," Zhuyu said.

"Ha, as if I would stop it," Yunli laughed lightly, "It doesn’t matter. Without the Crown Prince succeeding, what good does another strong ally do? It’s all just a castle in the air. Besides, what kind of person is Fan Mang, the Minister? Just because his son is marrying the princess doesn’t mean he’ll tie himself to the Crown Prince’s fate. The Emperor is still young."

"Yes, Your Highness has a long view, I was short-sighted," Zhuyu hurriedly said.

"We must not rush. At this moment, every move I make, someone is watching. I can't afford to do anything," Yunli said with a light laugh.

[I'm back!]