The father and daughter returned to the Duke of Jingguo's mansion. One of them had a beaming smile on her face, while the other was as gloomy as water.
Not long after he entered the palace, the emperor issued an edict.
The crowd knelt on the ground to receive the imperial decree.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Princess Jiahua is loyal to the country, which is a blessing to the nation. She shall be conferred the title of Princess Jiahua today. This is the imperial decree."
As soon as the imperial eunuch finished speaking, everyone was stunned.
The Dowager looked at the Duke of Jingguo with trepidation: "What exactly is going on?"
How long has it been since she last heard the name of Princess Jia Hua?
Why did the Emperor of Northern Chu suddenly bestow a title upon a princess?
The Duke of Jingguo's face was ashen. He felt as if he had been slapped hard in the face, and he was so ashamed that he couldn't lift his head. He still had to accept the imperial decree with both hands.
"Your Excellency, this servant will wait here. Please prepare quickly," said the eunuch who was delivering the imperial decree.
Duke Jingguo stiffened and looked at Song Yue. If looks could kill, Song Yue would have died countless times over.
After the group stood up and returned to the inner courtyard, the Grand Madam hurriedly asked, "What exactly happened?"
Only then did the Duke of Jingguo reveal the matter of donating the dowry.
"What?" The old lady's vision went black, and she swayed, almost falling to the ground. She sat in the chair and looked up at Song Yue.
"Song Yue, this is what you've done again!" Song Hengchuan arrived just in time and angrily asked, "Who gave you the audacity to do such a rebellious thing!"
Song Yue retorted, "Half of my mother's dowry was left to me. I can do with it however I want. What's wrong with that? You think it's outrageous? But the Emperor just issued an edict praising my mother for serving the people and the country. Song Hengchuan, if you raise your voice any louder, the people in the palace haven't left yet!"
"You!" Song Hengchuan ultimately dared not offend the outsiders, and his voice gradually weakened.
Yuan Fuling looked at Song Yue with a resentful expression: "The matter of the betrothal gifts hasn't been resolved yet, how can the princess come up with her dowry?"
"The matter of the betrothal gifts is your fault for not properly supervising it, it has nothing to do with me!" Song Yue promptly stopped Yuan Fuling from speaking.
If Yuan Fuling dared to raise any objection, Song Yue would dare to make a scene and embarrass everyone. Yuan Fuling pursed her lips and ultimately did not dare to continue arguing with Song Yue.
The old lady looked at Song Yue with a gloomy expression: "Was this your idea?"
Song Yue remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.
"Fine, fine, you're getting bolder and bolder. You don't even know how to discuss such an important matter." The Grand Madam was both angry and furious, but she didn't dare to do anything to Song Yue.
The people from the palace are currently outside, so the only option now is to bring out the betrothal gifts prepared for the Shen family again to appease them.
Eighty loads were all handed over to the palace.
Song Hengchuan's heart was bleeding as he watched helplessly as the betrothal gifts, which were about to be carried to the Shen family, were taken away by palace servants.
He clenched his teeth so tightly he almost lost his balance.
“Brother should be happy. You are now the son of a princess, and your status has risen accordingly. When Miss Shen marries into the family, your status will rise as well.” Song Yue continued to say hurtful things, one was a princess, and the other was a concubine who was promoted.
If Song Hengchuan insists on recognizing Yuan Fuling as his mother, he is degrading himself.
Yuan Fuling's face turned pale. How could she not understand? She looked at Song Hengchuan, only to see him say, "Once a mother, always a mother. Stop trying to sow discord."
Song Yue shook her head, sighing that this person was beyond saving.
Fall for yourself!
"Grandmother, I'm tired, I'm going back to rest now." Song Yue yawned, bent her knees, and turned to leave.
No one stopped them.
The old lady didn't mean to stop her; she had already seen the Imperial Guards with swords waiting outside. Sure enough, as soon as Song Yue left, the Imperial Guards followed her.
“Mother, the Shen family is still waiting to present the betrothal gifts,” Yuan Fuling said tremblingly.
The old lady gritted her teeth and swallowed the metallic taste in her throat. Before she could speak, the Duke of Jingguo said, "Go to the storeroom and gather all the contents from the accounts."
Yuan Fuling was somewhat reluctant, as she was giving everything she had to Song Hengchuan.
The cost was too high.
The old lady said, "Let's wait a little longer."
“Mother, we can’t wait any longer. The Duke of Jingguo’s mansion and the Shen family are interdependent. We must tie ourselves to the Shen family.” The Duke of Jingguo said solemnly.
Having said all that, the old lady was alarmed and had no choice but to compromise: "Go and get the accounts!"
Yuan Fuling's face trembled.
...
Moon Pavilion
The entire Jingguo Duke's mansion was in a frenzy over the eighty-bearer betrothal gift, but Song Yue was in a good mood, leaning back on the chaise lounge and eating some snacks.
When Granny Zhang rushed back from outside, she saw ten menacing figures standing at the door. Terrified, she trembled and quickly ran inside.
Now she admires the Third Sister more and more.
The entire Duke's mansion had no rivals.
“Miss, I just heard that the second branch of the family has also returned. The second mistress was invited away by the Grand Madam’s people as soon as she entered the door.”
"Does the Dowager Madam still have the mind to see the Second Madam?" Yun Dong asked in surprise.
Granny Zhang's lips twitched, and she voiced her suspicion: "It's most likely about the betrothal gifts."
The family has been living off the princess's dowry for years, and now that the dowry is gone and the previous betrothal gifts are gone, they still have to scrape together eighty more loads of grain. This is truly a difficult situation for the Duke of Jingguo's mansion.
There's no other way but to use the second wife to fill the gap.
Song Yue shifted her position and muttered, "Have the kitchen make a lotus leaf-wrapped glutinous rice chicken and a clear duck soup for dinner tonight."
She needs to replenish her energy.
Granny Zhang nodded repeatedly; "Yes, this old servant will remember."
Seeing that the young lady remained calm, clearly not taking the commotion outside seriously, Zhang Mama put her mind at ease again.
Just then, a commotion arose at the entrance of Yuehua Pavilion. Granny Zhang frowned and said, "It sounds like the Fourth Young Master's voice."
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