Chapter 294 Ancient Jade

Xiao Qingxi gritted her teeth and finally said, "I misunderstood you and Huo Yunzhou. You two are innocent."

Princess Ning patted her hand again: "Anything else?"

Xiao Qingxi was so frustrated she almost ground her teeth to powder. She had never felt so humiliated in her life!

However, her mother's bet last night had hit her sore spot. If she didn't apologize to Shen Wantang, her mother wouldn't ask Shen Wantang for help on her behalf.

The condition for the bet was that she had to apologize to Shen Wantang, and twice.

However, this time, Xiao Qingxi cared more about the bet than anything else. She really wanted to see what Shen Wantang could do to solve Huo Yunzhou's concubine problem. After all, Shen Wantang couldn't stop Xiao Qingyuan from taking a concubine, and even put a maidservant in his room.

Xiao Qingxi took a deep breath and finally began her second apology: "Um... is the injury on your face better? I'm sorry, I broke a vase last night and accidentally hit you. It wasn't my intention, you... you know that, right?"

Shen Wantang remained calm and composed: "Since the princess has apologized, let's let this matter rest. Just be more careful in the future. It's not a big deal if the vase breaks, but it's not worth it if it hurts others or yourself. What do you think, princess?"

Xiao Qingxi was somewhat displeased at being subtly reprimanded, and her face darkened: "I think it would be quite nice if you were mute!"

Princess Ning saw that her daughter started acting out after only a few kind words, so she quickly pulled her aside.

Then, she pulled Shen Wantang down to sit.

She personally served Shen Wantang a bowl of bird's nest soup and handed it to her: "It's still warm. Have a bowl to warm yourself up."

Xiao Qingxi immediately said, "Mother, wasn't that made for me? I haven't had enough yet!"

Princess Ning ignored her and looked at the red mark on Shen Wantang's face. She said apologetically, "Tang'er, you have been wronged. Xi'er should not have hurt your face. Although it was her fault, the father is responsible for the son's misbehavior. So I also apologize to you."

Shen Wantang's expression became much more sincere as she looked at her mother-in-law. She smiled and said, "Mother, I'm fine. It's just a small scratch that will disappear tomorrow. You don't need to worry about it. Besides, the princess has already apologized, so it's all over now."

Princess Ning's eyes reddened, and she said with relief, "Fortunately, you are magnanimous and did not hold a grudge against Xi'er. Good child, it is truly our blessing that you can marry into the royal family!"

She flattered Shen Wantang, and Shen Wantang flattered her in return: "Mother is mistaken. It is my good fortune to marry into the Ning Prince's Mansion."

Princess Ning said earnestly, "No, if the Ning Prince's Mansion had a different matriarch, it wouldn't be as prosperous as it is now. But no matter which family you marry into, you will live a thriving life."

Her mother-in-law's sincerity made Shen Wantang feel a little guilty.

Some people may know your abilities and skills, but they will never admit it. But Princess Ning is different. She knows your abilities and will readily acknowledge them. She will never deny her daughter-in-law's contributions.

"Granny Quan, bring me everything I prepared for the Crown Princess."

Granny Quan responded and waved to the maid.

The young maids filed in, some carrying the most fashionable fabrics of the moment, some carrying luxurious sets of headdresses and jewelry, and others carrying priceless treasures and paintings.

Because there were so many things, they had already piled up into a small mountain on the table. Xiao Qingxi was dumbfounded: "Mother, have you emptied out the entire storeroom of our Prince's Mansion? How come there's still the spirit jade that you brought with you as part of your dowry?! No, I asked you for this before, but you never gave it to me!"

She stepped forward to snatch the ancient jade back, but was stopped by Granny Quan: "Princess, the Princess Consort has given this ancient jade to the Crown Prince's wife."

Xiao Qingxi shouted, "No! I don't agree!"

Princess Ning calmly replied, "It's no use if you disagree. This is my dowry, and I can give it to whomever I want."

Xiao Qingxi was incredulous. She had always liked this piece of jade because it was very different from other jade. It seemed as if there were clouds and mist floating inside, and when placed in water, it would leave a magical shadow.

Unfortunately, Princess Ning was afraid that she would be careless and break the jade, so she never gave it to her.

She never expected that her mother would give away the thing she had been longing for for so long to Shen Wantang!

Princess Ning didn't care about her daughter's feelings. She picked up the ancient jade and handed it to Shen Wantang: "This ancient jade was passed down from my family. I heard that its origin can be traced back to a thousand years ago. It is a true treasure. Compared with it, the other things I give you are nothing."

Upon hearing that it was a family heirloom, Shen Wantang immediately shook her head: "It's so precious, I can't accept it."

Moreover, judging from Xiao Qingxi's expression, she really liked this jade, and the Princess Consort of Ning didn't give it to her precious daughter, but instead gave it to her.

Shen Wantang didn't want to accept anything too valuable.

Princess Ning firmly grasped her hand: "Giving you this ancient jade is the most valuable thing. Tang'er, do you know what the true purpose of this jade is?"

Shen Wantang shook her head: "I don't know."

Princess Ning chuckled softly: "Xi'er saw this ancient jade when she was little. She thought it was strange and interesting because there were clouds and mist inside that moved, as if it were alive."

“But I never let her play with it because this jade can cure all poisons.”

Shen Wantang had heard similar stories before, but this was the first time she had actually seen such a rare ancient jade.

Xiao Qingxi's eyebrows shot up: "What?! It can cure all poisons? Then why didn't Mother give it to me?!"

Princess Ning ignored her and continued to say to Shen Wantang, "However, each time this ancient jade is used, the cloud and mist inside will decrease. It can only be used three more times at most. Remember to use it only in times of crisis, and do not give it to others casually. In a critical moment, it might save your life."

Shen Wantang finally understood why Princess Ning had said that this ancient jade was more valuable than everything she had given her. All the other gold and silver jewelry were just material possessions, but the ancient jade could save a life, and its value was immeasurable and irreplaceable.

Although she knew the true purpose of the ancient jade, Shen Wantang still didn't want to accept it: "Mother, I am knowledgeable in medicine and always keep antidote pills and other medicines on hand. Giving this ancient jade to me would be a waste. You should give it to the princess instead!"

Princess Ning shook her head: "It is precisely because you are proficient in medical principles that I am giving you the ancient jade."

Xiao Qingxi couldn't understand: "Mother, Shen Wantang is a doctor herself, she doesn't need your ancient jade! Why do you still insist on giving it to her? Who is your real daughter after all?"

Princess Ning sighed: "Of course, you are my own daughter. I'm giving the jade to your sister-in-law to protect her from being poisoned. She can take care of you in the future. After all, if you are poisoned, your sister-in-law can concoct an antidote to cure you. You are the one who truly doesn't need this ancient jade, do you understand?"