Filled with doubt, Jiang Shuwan walked over, taking the opportunity to glance at the old emperor as she left.

The old emperor was leisurely drinking his wine, looking extremely comfortable.

Having made up her mind, Jiang Shuwan silently walked over. Before she even reached Consort Rong, Consort Rong stood up with wide eyes and said in shock.

"Your Majesty, don't you think the Crown Princess looks a bit like someone? Look at those eyebrows and eyes, isn't she a spitting image of Princess Jinzhu, the daughter of my concubine?"

Consort Rong's words made Consort Gao's eyes widen in surprise.

The old emperor's first daughter was named Princess Jinzhu. She was born to a palace maid, who was also known as Consort Rong.

Consort Rong was of low status, but she had been with the old emperor since his time as a prince, and was even bestowed upon him by the Empress Dowager. Their relationship was extraordinary, so she was later promoted to the rank of consort.

The old emperor also adored his eldest daughter, bestowing upon her a title as soon as she was born.

However, Princess Jinzhu was born sickly and died before she was two years old.

How can a two-year-old baby, who hasn't even fully grown up yet, be told that her eyebrows and eyes resemble Jiang Shuwan's?

Absurd, so simple it's absurd.

"It is indeed very similar. Come here and let me take a closer look."

The ministers: "..."

Consort Gao: "..."

Guo Yaqin: "..."

Li Yuyan: "..."

Jiang Yao: "..."

Everyone in the hall was dumbfounded. Except for Pei Yanzhi, everyone stared blankly at the old emperor, whose eyes were blurry with tears, like an old father who had lost something and found it again. He stared at Jiang Shuwan and said, "It's so similar, so similar."

Consort Li was also wiping away tears. "When I first entered the palace, I also felt it was similar, but I couldn't believe that such a coincidence could happen in the world. Princess Consort, what year were you born?"

Jiang Shuwan quickly gave the date, and upon hearing that Jiang Shuwan was born after Princess Jinzhu's death, Consort Li covered her mouth and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, could the Crown Princess be the reincarnation of Princess Jinzhu?"

"The idea of ​​reincarnation is so vague, Consort Li, you can't just spout nonsense!" The old emperor reprimanded Consort Li without the slightest anger.

"No, Your Majesty, she is my child, it is her, it is her..."

Consort Rong seemed to be arguing with the old emperor, grabbing Jiang Shuwan and tenderly stroking the girl's beautiful face.

"Your Majesty, she is my child..."

"Your Majesty, Consort Rong is ill from missing her husband so much," said Consort Li.

Seeing Consort Rong's crazed gaze and her clinging tightly to Jiang Shuwan, the old emperor sighed and pointed at Jiang Shuwan.

"The idea of ​​reincarnation is unbelievable, but it is your destiny to resemble Princess Jinzhu to some extent. I will take you as Consort Rong's adopted daughter, bestow upon you the title of Princess Jinzhu, grant you the salary of a princess, a princess's mansion, a thousand acres of fertile land, and a hundred bolts of silk."

Jiang Shuwan immediately knelt down, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"..."

The banquet ended quickly.

As darkness fell and only snowflakes drifted in the air, palace maids and eunuchs climbed ladders to the eaves to light all the palace lanterns.

The bright palace lanterns illuminated the entire palace as if it were daytime.

Outside Shaohua Hall.

Eunuch Su helped the old emperor onto the imperial carriage.

"Didn't His Majesty say he would grant the Crown Princess a title of Lady? Why is she suddenly being granted the title of County Princess? She is neither of royal blood nor young. A title of County Princess is too much for her."

The old emperor rolled his eyes at him and said, "You heartless old fool, have you forgotten who made you who you are today?"

"I am where I am today because of His Majesty's trust and respect. I am deeply grateful and willing to serve His Majesty with utmost loyalty. Although Princess Jinzhu has made contributions to the tax collection, she is, after all, just a woman."

"What do you know? Today, Nan'an is clearly trying to call a deer a horse and use her power to intimidate others. Look at her, calm and unhurried. Nan'an wanted to call a deer a horse, but she has become the one in control. Just wait, she will give me more surprises."

"And what about the princess? I see she's very heartbroken..."

"Let her play with some tourmaline..."

This is treating the princess like a child.

With a sigh in his heart, Eunuch Su called for the guards to get going, flicked his whisk, and jogged to the side of the sedan chair.

When Jiang Shuwan came out, she saw his back. As if sensing something, Eunuch Su turned around and glanced back.

With a knowing smile playing on their lips, the two simultaneously revealed a knowing understanding between them.

"You and Eunuch Su have a good relationship."

A familiar voice came from beside him. He turned around and saw Pei Yanzhi in a sky-blue official robe.

He's currently a fifth-rank official in charge, but tomorrow he'll be a third-rank official.

"Not as good as you and Eunuch Su."

Jiang Shuwan smiled meaningfully, and Pei Yanzhi smiled as well.

When he smiled, his indifferent eyes turned into affectionate ones.

Jiang Shuwan paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Wait a moment, I'm going to see Consort Rong."

Consort Rong is now her godmother. When she entered, Consort Rong was being helped back to the inner palace by a palace maid. Upon seeing her, the loving and excited expression on Consort Rong's face had vanished.

He just looked at her with a cold and calm expression.

"I'm sorry to have troubled Your Majesty," Jiang Shuwan said, curtsying.

Consort Rong gave a cold snort, "You are the first person in our Great Jing Dynasty to be granted the title of County Princess without being of royal blood."

With that, she took the hand of the palace maid and turned to leave, not even giving Jiang Shuwan a glance.

It seems Consort Rong dislikes me very much...

Indeed, why did the old emperor have to use any excuse but to order Consort Rong to bring her deceased eldest daughter?

It seems that Consort Rong had a younger daughter, about three or four years old, in addition to her eldest daughter.

If you calculate it that way, doesn't she have another little sister now?

She watched Rongfei leave with a calm gaze. When she turned around, she noticed that there was another person beside her—Guo Yaqin.

"Princess Jinzhu has some clever tricks up her sleeve!" Guo Yaqin said sarcastically.

Jiang Shuwan smiled and said, "It's all thanks to His Majesty's favor. A mere county princess is not as noble as the Princess Consort of You."

Unable to bear her sarcastic remarks, Guo Yaqin turned and left.

Next up was Jiang Yao, whose gaze towards her was complex, filled with envy and jealousy.

She looked Jiang Shuwan up and down, especially her face.

She scoffed, "Now I know what it means to make a living off your looks. It's outrageous! There are actually people in this world who get titles just because they look like a royal princess..."

"..."

After saying that, Jiang Yao left. She gained nothing from the palace banquet. Moreover, she thought that Guo Yaqin would target her, but unexpectedly, Jiang Shuwan was granted the title of county princess.

That's a county princess!

I can't sleep tonight, I haven't been able to sleep for several days in a row...

Watching Jiang Yao's angry back, Jiang Shuwan shook her head helplessly, smiled, and turned her gaze to Li Yuyan.

At this moment, everyone in Shaohua Palace had left, except for Li Yuyan, who was still sitting in her seat.

Clearly, she hadn't yet recovered from the shock of Jiang Shuwan being granted the title of County Princess.

Or rather, she was completely stunned after the phrase "ordinary well water" came out of the old emperor's mouth.

He stared at Jiang Shuwan with a mechanical and blank gaze.

"What exactly did you do... Why is His Majesty siding with you...?"