42. The Eldest Princess

She is the only one worthy of being called the Eldest Princess.

"Yuan Chu, I see you have the same style as your father back in the day, hahaha!"

Perhaps seeing the bag of millet and wheat presented by Qi Gu today reminded Emperor Yuan of the hardships he had endured in the past. Life was truly bitter back then, with endless corvée labor and taxes to pay for the crops grown in the fields. Even as a lowly official, he struggled to make ends meet, let alone the common people.

"Qinghe~" Emperor Jin Yuan drawled, as if he was about to express his emotions. Wei Xin stepped forward and listened attentively to the emperor's sentiments.

“I still remember when we went to the fields together, hoping that we could grow two acres from one acre. Unfortunately, the harvest that year was not only small, but all of it was used to pay taxes… Once, when I went to your house for a meal, your rice jar was empty. Your mother actually rummaged around in the corners of the house to find some food so that I could have a full meal.”

Emperor Yuan of Jin looked nostalgic. Although those days were truly difficult, looking back now, he felt a sense of tranquility and serenity.

Wei Xin grew up in the same village as the emperor. Her mother was even granted the title of Lady Shou'an because of what happened back then.

Although he felt life was better now, he couldn't spoil the Emperor's mood. "Isn't that right? My mother saw that the Emperor had a bright future and told me to follow him closely. When I saw Yuan Chu, I thought of the days when we were farming in Yu County. If we had such seeds back then, my mother wouldn't have had to scramble to provide for the Emperor. But the Emperor cares about the world. Seeing that people in his village and county weren't getting enough to eat, he led his brothers to fight their way out. It's all fate..."

It's no wonder that Wei Xin stayed by Emperor Yuan of Jin's side the longest and was the most trusted. He was truly eloquent, highlighting his mother's kindness to the emperor and his own loyalty to the emperor, while also praising the emperor's compassion for the people, which ultimately led them to achieve great things, with some becoming emperors and others being granted titles of kings and prime ministers.

Wei Xin didn't forget to praise Qi Gu, "Your Majesty, my eldest niece has suffered a lot and is finally back. We parents fought for the country for our children, so we can't let them suffer any more."

Thus, Wei Xin successfully withdrew from public life. His two speeches were brilliant: he highlighted his own achievements, flattered the emperor, gave face to the empress, and even did Qi Gu a favor.

He returned to his seat and glanced at Sima Hong's seat. He then said smugly to Qu Yan beside him, "I'm pretty good, buddy. Maybe Sima Hong will have to give me face in the future. Hehe, this trip was worthwhile."

Qu Yan remained unmoved, but this time he still replied, "You talk too much."

Hey~ I think you're just jealous of me~

Upon hearing Wei Xin's words, Emperor Jin Yuan's hearty and unrestrained laughter rang out, "Qinghe, Qinghe, you are still as tactful as ever, and your verbal skills have become even more refined."

"It's all thanks to His Majesty. Now that there's no war, I'm constantly outwitting my husband. I'm just saying this because it's easy to say."

"Hahaha! You, you..." Emperor Jin Yuan pointed at Wei Xin, a smile on his lips, clearly pleased by Wei Xin's words.

His shrewd eyes turned to Qi Gu again, “However, you are right. Yuan Chu was my and the Empress’s first child. After all these years of suffering, with the world in such chaos, it was not easy for her to come back. Today, I hereby bestow upon my son the title of Princess Yuan Chu, grant her the Princess’s Mansion, and make Huai County your fiefdom.”

Qi Gu never expected that the title of Princess, which she had pursued so desperately in her previous life but never received, would be granted to her as soon as she entered the palace in this life.

Back then, it was because she had not been granted the title of Princess that she was ridiculed by the Second Princess and the Ninth Princess, among others, who said, "How can this country bumpkin be worthy of the title of Princess?"

"That's right. Even someone as protective as the Empress didn't fight for her to be granted the title of Princess, which shows that the Empress is also very dissatisfied with this daughter."

"Who knows, she'll probably be sent to a distant fiefdom soon. After all, a princess who is illiterate, rude, and speaks with a rural accent is a disgrace to the Emperor and Empress. They would love to send her far away to avoid seeing her. How could they possibly give her a title like 'Grand Princess'?"

It was because of these words that she studied hard in her previous life, learning to read, write, and learn palace rules and etiquette.

For three years, she followed behind Sima Hong, not only because she wanted to get closer to him, but also because Sima Hong was well-read and she benefited greatly from his every word of advice.

At that time, she did not know that the questions she asked were so simple to Sima Hong, and in the words of those people, she was wasting his precious time.

In her past life, she pursued something with all her heart but never got it before she died. In this life, she pursues nothing and gets it easily. Qi Gu sighed inwardly, realizing that some things cannot be forced.

Unfortunately, even the most desirable things lose their appeal once the expiration date has passed.

In her past life, she wanted the title of Princess, not because it would bring her power and wealth, but because she wanted the approval of her mother, Sima Hong, and her sisters in the palace. But in this life, she no longer needs their approval.

The title of Princess was like a sweet treat to her; she needed it when she was hungry, but now that she was full, she no longer needed it.

So, while everyone was waiting for her to kneel down and express her gratitude, Qi Gu did indeed kneel down, but she said, "Father Emperor's grace is too much for me to bear, but I dare not accept such a heavy reward."

The Empress frowned deeply as she looked at Qi Gu kneeling before the throne. She couldn't fathom what her daughter was up to.

Sima Hong also couldn't understand Qi Gu kneeling before the palace. He knew she had always wanted the title of Princess, but in her previous life, the situation was chaotic, and the Empress hadn't granted her the title in order to protect her.

After they married, he originally planned to bring up the matter of bestowing the title of Princess Qigu upon the Empress after the situation had stabilized.

The title of Princess was of little importance to him, but if she wanted it, he would fight for it for her. He thought they had plenty of time, but he never imagined that she would... die in that palace coup...

Qi Gu knelt on the ground, but her voice was firm and powerful, “Father, Mother, I was just lucky to be born into your womb. It is enough for me to enjoy the honor of a princess. However, I have not made any contributions to the country or the people. I am not worthy of the title of Princess.”

"Nonsense! You are my daughter, having been separated from the world for eight years, and you have learned the method of cultivating millet and wheat. How can you not be worthy of the title of Princess!"

The Empress suddenly felt very flustered. The usually composed woman was finally afraid that her daughter, who had just arrived, would fly away from her. All the signs indicated that she did not want to stay in the capital at all!

She harbored resentment! She resented both herself and her father, but she hid it all beneath a facade of propriety and composure!

A child who has feelings for their father and mother, whether it's love or hate, could not be so calm, rational, and considerate in every aspect!

Moreover, she already knew that Li Qiao was not found by chance and brought back to the capital as a princess!

It's clear that Qi Gu doesn't want to return to the capital. She has already sent people to Li Qiao's house to investigate, and Li Qiao's parents have already given everything!

Qi Gu, what are you doing? Don't you want your mother anymore? At this moment, Empress Zhang is no longer an empress; she is a mother.

Qi Gu looked up at the high and mighty Empress. She was glaring at her in anger, and Qi Gu could see some moisture in her mother's eyes.

But Qi Gu did not back down. She said, "In my opinion, the one who should be made the eldest princess is not me, but Princess Jiao Lu, who represented the Great Jin to the Xiongnu for the marriage alliance. She left her family and homeland for the peace of the Great Jin and to save the people of the Great Jin from the flames of war. She sacrificed her personal interests for the greater good. Although she cannot compare to the achievements on the battlefield, such merits are beyond the reach of princesses like me who only know how to enjoy wealth and honor but have not contributed anything to the country. She is the one who deserves to be honored as the eldest princess."

The court officials were truly surprised that a young woman who grew up in the countryside could have such insight, such a broad mind, and such noble thoughts.

Instead of harboring resentment towards Princess Jiaolu for usurping the throne, they only saw her sacrifices for the country.

Even Qu Yan, who was not involved in politics and was only there to make up the numbers, finally cast a look of admiration at Qi Gu. He saw a resemblance to the Empress of yesteryear in this young lady; perhaps this was due to blood ties.

The emperor was indeed an extremely lucky man. He was able to gradually eliminate the previous dynasty with the help of the Prince of Yan, and then defeat the Prince of Yan to seize the world. He had both strength and luck.

Unexpectedly, his wife and daughter are also quite good. It seems that the matter of the crown prince is entirely under the control of the Empress.

Qu Yan nodded to himself. Although the Crown Prince was somewhat weak, with the Empress in charge and his elder sister, who had a broad vision and a grand perspective, he was better than the other princes. This was the only way for the Great Jin Dynasty to be stable.

Before he came today, he consulted the oracle, and the divination indicated that he would meet a person from beyond the mundane world and that the universe would be set in motion.

Qu Yan pondered the divination results, wondering who the "person beyond the mundane world" referred to.

Emperor Jin Yuan initially frowned at Qi Gu's refusal, but after she explained her reasons, his expression immediately changed, and he exclaimed, "Excellent, excellent! My daughter has such a magnanimous heart; she is truly worthy of being my and A Ling's daughter."

"I will do as you say, but I cannot wrong Yuan Chu. So, I will give you another fiefdom, Tang County, which is next to Huai County, and I will also grant you Tang County."

This time, Qi Gu knelt down and accepted. In fact, compared to the honorary title of Princess, receiving an additional prefecture as a fiefdom was far more practical.

In the future, when she returned to her fiefdom with her father, she planted millet and wheat all over the fields in Huai County and Tang County, and continued to cultivate the kind of millet and wheat that her father had mentioned, which could increase the harvest by 70 to 80%, as well as other grain varieties and plants. Qi Gu felt that her preparations this time had not been in vain.

A bag of millet and a vague title of princess could be exchanged for two counties as fiefdoms, which was a good deal.

But what Qi Gu didn't know was that it was precisely because she refused the title of "Princess" that she was even less able to leave.

After the morning court session ended today, the words that Qi Gu had spoken in the court reached the inner palace.

Madam Zhao knew that her daughter had caused a great disaster. She only had one daughter, and she had never disciplined her because she was usually a bit spoiled. But this time, she had offended the Empress's daughter. She was not a fool like Madam Guo, so she locked the Ninth Princess in the palace.

"You should spend this time in the palace to temper your temper. Once you've tempered your temper, you can come out!"

"Mother, no! I want to ride a horse, I want to shoot arrows, and I want to go hunting in Shanglin Garden! You promised me!!"

"You'd better stay put." Madam Zhao looked in the direction of Pixiang Palace; there was bound to be some excitement in the palace.

The second princess stormed into Lady Guo's Pixiang Palace, fuming, "Mother, the Empress, that country bumpkin, is one thing, but now this fake princess who deceives the emperor has actually been granted the title of Eldest Princess! Has Father become confused?!"

"Shut up! How can you talk about your father like that? Be careful that word gets out, or your father won't dote on you anymore."

The Second Princess was no longer the calm and gentle princess she was in public. Her face was cold as she thought of the peasant girl with muddy feet. She felt a thousand grievances in her heart. Why was that kind of person the Empress's daughter, while she was just the daughter of a favored concubine? Why did that kind of person just give up the title of Princess without a second thought, and even let her father bestow it upon that fake princess?

She looked at her mother and couldn't help but feel resentful. Why wasn't her mother the empress? If she were the empress, why would the position of princess have fallen to someone else?

Then I thought, a woman as beautiful, talented and well-mannered as her is worthy of being the empress's daughter. The other two are a brazen fake princess who pretends to be a princess, and a farmer who grew up in the countryside and is ignorant and makes a living by digging in the fields. How can they be worthy of competing with her!

Madam Guo was also furious. "I don't think it's your father's fault at all. It was clearly that poisonous woman Zhang Ling who instigated your father! Humph!! One day, I will make her kneel at my feet and cry and beg for forgiveness!"