Chapter 100: The Bestowal

Chapter 100: The Bestowal

Dai Ze, having been pampered all his life, let out howls of agony from the beating, a detail that need not be elaborated upon. On the journey back to Shaoqing Mansion from Bailu Mountain, the matriarch never let go of Xin You's hand.

"Qingqing, how did you manage to save the beloved daughter of the Princess Royale? Please tell your grandmother the whole story carefully."

Facing the old lady's excitement, Xin You's expression remained calm: "I happened to be there picking flowers with cousin Ling, when I looked up and saw a wild boar charging towards us. Without thinking, by the time I realized it, I had already taken Princess Royale's beloved daughter in my arms and dodged out of the way."

"What a stroke of luck," the elderly lady exclaimed.

This is a life-saving favor, and now that so many people are aware of it, they would not dare to neglect the granddaughter. In the future, if the granddaughter and the second grandson end up together, it would be greatly beneficial to the Shaoqing Mansion.

Contemplating that the Eldest Princess’s Residence might show some gesture, and perhaps even initiate interactions from then on, the elderly matriarch took the initiative to speak about Princess Zhaoyang.

The current sovereign has only one sibling, the Princess Royale, whom he holds in high esteem. The Princess Royale has a son and a daughter; the son has not yet reached the age of adulthood, and the daughter is the young girl you saved today.

As an elderly matron, though she could not reach the presence of Princess Zhaoyang, she was well-versed in these matters, which were the fundamental lessons for the ladies of the Imperial City.

The Princess Royale's husband's family name is Kong. The prince consort passed away many years ago, and her daughter was born posthumously. The Princess Royale had a good relationship with her prince consort, so if you have the opportunity to meet her, remember not to mention this matter. Additionally, the Princess Royale's relationship with the concubines in the harem is average; avoid showing any signs of closeness to the palace ladies.

Fearing her granddaughter might misunderstand, the elderly lady hurriedly advised: "It's not about truly disrespecting the concubines, but rather being cautious in front of the Princess Royale."

People of their social standing cannot afford to offend the Princess Royale, nor can they afford to offend the imperial concubines.

"I understand now." Xin You indeed needed to know this information, and it was rare to see the old lady, who valued profit over family ties, looking somewhat more favorable.

The elderly lady revealed a loving smile: "Grandmother always knew that Qingqing is sensible."

Xin You smiled back and asked, "Grandmother, why is the relationship between Princess Royale and the palace consorts average?"

It's quite ordinary if any official's family in the Imperial City knows about it.

The elderly lady's expression subtly shifted, and she spoke ambiguously, "Do not inquire too much about matters of the court; just keep it in mind. Your grandmother is also tired; let's rest for a while."

The carriage fell silent.

In the third carriage, Duan Yunling and Duan Yunhua still leaned on opposite sides, maintaining a distant and non-intrusive demeanor.

Duan Yunhua kept glancing at Duan Yunling, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Did Kou Qingqing truly save the Princess Royale's beloved daughter?"

Duan Yunling glanced at Duan Yunhua, curving the corners of his lips slightly: "So many people have seen it with their own eyes, why does Second Elder Sister still ask like this?"

It is unwilling for the cousin to have a favor towards the Princess Royale, and from then on, she cannot flaunt her power in front of the cousin.

Duan Yunling didn't voice the thought of not wanting to fight, but Duan Yunhua immediately deduced it.

"Do you think I'm jealous of Kou Qingqing? Don't you find it odd that she used to be so timid she wouldn't speak loudly, and when she came to visit Bailu Mountain last year, she disappeared without a trace. How has she changed so drastically now, daring to rush towards such a huge wild boar to save someone—" Noticing a peculiar look in Duan Yunling's eyes, Duan Yunhua frowned, "What kind of look is that?"

Duan Yunling chuckled: "Second Elder Sister, have you forgotten something?"

"What's the matter?"

"Qing Qing has lost her memory. Since she doesn't even remember what she used to be like, shouldn't she be able to do as she pleases now?"

Duan Yunhua had indeed forgotten this point and immediately became angry and embarrassed: "I think she must be possessed!"

Duan Yunling's face darkened: "Second Elder Sister, I advise you to watch your words. Cousin Qing just saved the Princess Royale's daughter. What good would it do for Shaoqing Mansion if these words spread? And what good would it do for us?"

Duan Yunhua snorted coldly and fell silent.

Not long after they returned to Shaoqing Mansion, the steward from the Eldest Princess’s Residence arrived with generous gifts.

"Our Highness has gone into the palace and ordered me to prepare some modest gifts to thank Miss Kou."

The matriarch glanced at the gifts that couldn’t even fit in the flower hall, thinking to herself that the Eldest Princess’s Residence was truly modest to call these gifts modest.

Of course, these gifts were nothing much, but what secretly delighted the matriarch was the attitude of the Princess Royale.

"Your Highness is too kind. Qingqing only did what she could."

Xin You nodded slightly.

The steward bowed deeply to Xin You before leaving.

"Qingqing, how will you handle these gifts? Should they be stored in the Evening Serenity Abode’s warehouse, or sent over to the Bookstore?"

The matriarch, whose granddaughter had connected with the Princess Royale, certainly wouldn’t covet such things.

Xin You glanced over the gifts and smiled: "These fabrics, Grandmother and Second Aunt should choose four pieces each that you like. Cousin Yunling and Cousin Yunyan should pick two pieces each. As for these pieces of jewelry, the two younger cousins can each select one set. The rest should be sent to the Bookstore."

The fabrics sent by the Eldest Princess’s Residence as a token of gratitude were naturally not ordinary, and the jewelry was specially chosen in styles young girls would like.

"Thank you, Cousin Qing." Duan Yunling thanked her happily.

Duan Yunyan, being younger, showed her joy openly upon seeing those delicate pieces of jewelry.

Only Duan Yunhua trembled with anger, gritting her teeth and asking: "Cousin Qing, are you deliberately humiliating me?"

Xin You was shocked: "Cousin Hua, have you forgotten that I moved out because you humiliated me? Should I still send you gifts? If you think I would go through the motions just to appear magnanimous, you’re wrong. I’m not someone who would make myself suffer for the sake of appearances."

Duan Yunhua's face turned bright red: "Grandmother—"

The matriarch scolded sternly: "Don’t shout so loudly; it’s not proper."

Everyone received gifts except her, yet her grandmother didn’t criticize the other party for being too harsh but instead reprimanded her. Feeling both aggrieved and furious, Duan Yunhua covered her face and ran away.

The matriarch’s eyes darkened, becoming even more disappointed in this granddaughter.

Duan Yunhua ran back to her room and sobbed into her pillow, eventually falling asleep. She was woken up by her maid after an unknown amount of time.

Already feeling wronged and now being woken up, Duan Yunhua's mood worsened. She pushed the maid's hand away and asked coldly, "What is it?"

The maid quietly stepped back a bit. "The matriarch has called for you to go quickly to the front. Someone has come from the palace."

Duan Yunhua looked stunned. "The palace? Why would someone come from the palace?"

"They say that His Majesty learned about Lady Kou Qingqing saving the Princess Royale's daughter and has sent someone to bestow rewards upon her. All the masters of our household must go to express their gratitude."

Duan Yunhua felt dizzy.

Giving rewards to Kou Qingqing, and she had to kneel in thanks—was there anything more infuriating in the world?

"Miss, you need to hurry. The people from the palace cannot be delayed."

With a dark face, Duan Yunhua hurried to the front.

Xin You, who had also received the news, asked the messenger maid expressionlessly, "Did His Majesty bestow a gift upon me?"

"Yes, the eunuch delivering the reward is waiting in the front," the maid replied. For some reason, it seemed like Lady Xin You was not in a good mood, so the maid wisely did not urge her.

After a moment of silence, Xin You proceeded to the front.