Chapter 244: Can this blessing be obtained casually?

If she accepted it, he might force her to do something immoral again, and she didn't want to risk herself again.

"Why are you so nervous? I don't plan on asking you to do anything else. Besides, this skirt isn't a gift from me. Are you sure you want me to take it?"

"And those cakes from Zhang Jinji are so hard to come by. I heard people lined up for two hours and almost didn't get one. Are you sure you don't want them either?"

Her reaction was completely expected. Chen Yaoxing raised his eyebrows and smiled faintly, then reached out to open the food box beside him.

In an instant, a rich aroma of milk mixed with the fragrance of dried fruits emanated, strongly invading Shen Qingyi's nasal cavity.

It is the favorite eight-treasure milk cake among the noble ladies in Beijing.

What should I do if my saliva becomes more profuse?

Shen Qingyi swallowed her saliva helplessly, dropping her bottom line again and again. Seeing his claws reaching towards the Eight Treasures Milk Cake, she quickly stretched out her hand to block it.

"Wait, you said the skirt wasn't given by you? Then who gave it to you? And who gave you the Eight Treasures Milk Cake?"

Not to mention the Eight Treasures Milk Cake for now, the materials, labor costs, and premium of the finished products for these two sets of skirts and the matching jewelry are at least over five thousand taels.

How could Chen Yaoxing, such a stingy guy, give her such a valuable gift if he had nothing to ask of her?

Therefore, Shen Qingyi believed what he said, that the skirt was not given by him.

"This skirt and the eight-treasure milk cake were all gifts from the Emperor. I was just running an errand for him..."

While speaking, Chen Yaoxing did not forget to settle accounts in his mind.

The emperor gave him ten thousand taels and asked him to give it to Shen Qingyi to make her happy, but he only gave this girl five thousand one hundred taels.

Ten thousand taels is too much. She will be happy if I give it to her, but it will be difficult to control this girl in the future if I hold so much money.

So, he only gave 5,100 taels and kept the rest.

The withheld silver will be used to improve the emperor's favorability.

The two sets of skirts and jewelry cost a total of 5,300 taels, and the cakes cost less than one tael of silver.

It’s better not to give such expensive gifts in the future. Try to choose cheap and rare things. Otherwise, the remaining money will not last long.

He also planned to spend some time to improve the emperor's favor, at least for two or three months.

This girl taught him how to pursue a princess. Presumably, the method he used to pursue her would be similar.

Isn't it just obedience, sweet words, and little surprises? The emperor is too busy with state affairs to take care of it, so he will do it for him.

The Emperor only needs to pay the money...

"It's for you, but it's not from me. It's from the Emperor."

Shen Yaoxing took out an envelope from his arms and handed it to Shen Qingyi.

Looking at the envelope in front of her, Shen Qingyi finally came to her senses and felt extremely panicked.

These things were all sent by the emperor?

And wrote her a letter???

This is incredible.

"Why do you accept everything? You shouldn't accept anything without merit. Why would the Emperor give me such a valuable gift? I don't want it. You can return it to the Emperor."

"Oh……"

Chen Yaoxing laughed, crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her, saying coolly, "Thunder and rain are all grace from the emperor. The emperor gives it to you, do you dare not accept it?"

"It's fine if you don't want to accept them. I'm just an errand boy anyway. I don't have the guts to disobey the emperor and send these things back..."

"How about this, you go to the palace yourself to find the emperor and return all these things to him."

Shen Qingyi: "..."

When Shen Qingyi heard the words "enter the palace", she shrank up and turned into a quail in an instant.

Can she dare to do what he doesn't dare to do?

Of course she didn't dare!

Even if she had ten times the courage, she would not dare to go to the emperor to return these things in person.

Knowing very well how timid she was, Shen Yaoxing knew she wouldn't dare, so he forcefully stuffed the envelope into her hands.

"The Emperor also said that you must read the letter he wrote to you and write back to him after reading it."

"You can give me the reply, or you can send a servant to the palace gate, mention your name, and ask the guards to deliver it to the emperor."

Shen Qingyi: "..."

Writing letters and replying to them, what's the point of this back and forth? Is it just a letter conveying feelings?

If she really does this, even if there is no affair, it will become like there is one. How can she get away with it in the future?

Dad told her that if she didn't want to enter the palace, she should not have any contact with the emperor.

The letter that was forced upon her was extremely hot. Shen Qingyi wanted to cry but had no tears, and spoke with great embarrassment.

"But, this is inappropriate. Private transactions and correspondence are only done between lovers..."

She has no personal feelings for the emperor.

"What's inappropriate?"

He sneered and said, "You are an unmarried man or a single woman. It is a blessing for you that the emperor has taken a fancy to you. It is a blessing that many noble ladies in the capital would be desperately trying to obtain. Don't be ungrateful for your blessing."

Shen Qingyi: "..."

Can this blessing be obtained casually?

He ignored her thoughts and continued, "The emperor is outstanding in talent and appearance, and has both literary and military skills. How can he not compare to other young masters in the capital?"

"He is the king of a country. He only needs an imperial decree to summon you to the palace to accompany him. But he didn't do that. Instead, he is waiting for your willingness. What are you dissatisfied with?"

"I know you're ready to remain single for life, but do you think your parents would agree? I'll definitely find someone else for you."

"By getting rid of Prince Jin, you've already offended him. You knew the emperor liked you, but you still chose someone else. Even if the emperor doesn't want to blame you, what about your future husband's family?"

"They dared to compete with the Emperor for people. How broad-minded do you think the Emperor must be to be pleasing to them?"

"Which family in the capital can withstand offending both the Prince of Jin and the Emperor at the same time? Your actions will undoubtedly implicate them and bring them great trouble."

"Putting all of this aside, even if the Emperor and Prince Jin are willing to put aside their grudges and forgive the mistakes of others, does that mean that marrying someone else would definitely be better than marrying the Emperor?"

Shen Qingyi: "..."

She hadn't thought about this, nor did she want to.

"The Emperor, at least he can protect you..."

Chen Yaoxing suddenly sighed and his expression became heavy.

"Qingyi, I tried my best to match you with the Emperor. Perhaps you think it's because I'm greedy for the emperor's power and glory that I disregard your feelings and want to send you to the deep palace walls where people are eaten without leaving any bones."

"I admit that I want benefits, but that doesn't conflict with doing good for you."

"You are a simple person, and you think about many things in a rather one-sided way. Your parents mostly follow your opinions, thinking that as long as you are happy, nothing else matters. They will take care of it for you."

"But is that really the case?"

"No, there will always be times when your parents are unable to help you. For example, after you get married, will your parents still be able to watch over you day and night?"

"The only one who can guard you day and night is your husband."