Chapter 244
"Your Highness, this phoenix crown is a bit heavy. Please bear with it."
The comforting voice of the old woman came from behind.
Rong'er smiled happily and said, "Princess, this phoenix crown is so beautiful, it makes you even more beautiful."
Granny Wu smiled helplessly and said, "You should start calling her Crown Princess now."
Rong'er suddenly realized, covered her mouth, and nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes, the county princess is now the crown princess, so you should change your address."
"Boss is so beautiful." Xi Xin exclaimed. She didn't care what they called her; she would call her that the same way she had called her before.
Tao Tao looked at them chattering away in the mirror with amusement, feeling a warm feeling welling up inside her.
Actually, she quite likes lively scenes, which make her feel less lonely and empty.
Just as she was about to look away, she saw Xia Chaohua sitting not far away with his younger brother Tao Liang in the corner of the mirror.
She looked somewhat melancholy, and Tao Tao noticed a hint of sadness in her eyes, perhaps due to the reflection in the mirror.
Tao Tao lowered her eyes, ignoring them, and sat up straight so that it would be easier for the person behind her to comb her hair.
There was still plenty of time; the wedding procession didn't arrive until dusk, and the makeup was done last so that they could have a proper meal.
After lunch, the nanny in charge of makeup began preparations.
During this time, Lu Shuqing and Murong Jia Hui arrived. Lu Shuqing stayed for a short while before going out with Murong Huai Shi to entertain the distinguished guests.
Murong Jia Hui was left sitting in the room, staring enviously at Tao Tao, who was dressed in a magnificent wedding gown.
“The county princess is intelligent and beautiful; no wonder His Highness has taken a liking to you.”
Upon hearing this, Tao Tao paused, put down the lipstick in her hand, and smiled faintly, "Why do you think he only fell for me because of my good personality?"
She was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Isn't that right?"
Shouldn't women be like those in the Admonitions for Women, humble and obedient at home, cautious and respectful after marriage, and obedient to their husbands and in-laws regardless of right or wrong?
Even though she had ambitions to be superior to others, she knew that everything she possessed depended on her husband.
Just like her mother, if she hadn't married her father, she would still be just the daughter of a minor official, not the princess consort.
In her view, it was precisely because the county princess showed signs of being suitable to be the crown princess that the empress and empress dowager chose her.
Tao Tao winked mischievously, a smile playing on her lips. "You know I have a bad temper, don't you?"
"But the Empress saw you... that's why she asked the Emperor to issue an edict."
Tao Tao shook her head. "I didn't say anything at the banquet, and I even went out for a while. What do you think I could have figured out?"
Do you know why the Empress is dissatisfied with you?
“No…” Murong Jiawei frowned, just about to say that the Empress was not dissatisfied with her, when suddenly she remembered that the Empress was indeed very cold to her that day.
"Because you love to show off too much. It's good for a woman to be good at social interaction, but if it's too deliberate, it will make those in high positions uncomfortable."
"Especially someone like the Empress, who is narrow-minded and prone to overthinking."
Upon hearing this, Murong Jia Hui was stunned. At the time, she had not thought of this at all. She was only focused on showing the Empress that even though she was born a concubine's daughter, she could get along well with those noble ladies.
I never thought it would have a negative effect.
Tao Tao looked at her expression and chuckled, "I was just saying it casually, please don't take it seriously."
She didn't react immediately, let out a soft "ah," and her eyes were a little dazed.
"How does it feel to be the legitimate daughter?"
She was still thinking about what had just happened when she heard Tao Tao change the subject to something else.
Although the formal adoption ceremony has not yet been held, the people in the household clearly know the news, and their attitude towards her is quite different from before.
She could sense that they genuinely regarded her as a true and rightful master.
But she didn't quite understand what Tao Tao meant by bringing it up now, but she still said, "The people in the manor treat me very well."
Do you know why the Prince suddenly adopted you under Lu Shuqing's name?
Murong Jia Hui's pupils widened slightly, and she instantly understood. She smiled and said, "Jia Hui knows. Thank you for your help, Princess."
"You're my sister in name only. If I don't help you, who will?"
Seeing that she understood, Tao Tao reached out and affectionately took her hands in hers, her eyes crinkling with a touch of girlish charm and innocence.
"If I ever need your help in the future, I'm sure I won't refuse, right?"
Murong Jia Hui was puzzled. She was already the Crown Princess, so what could she possibly need her help with? But she still nodded in agreement, "If you can use my help, then it would be my honor."
Tao Tao smiled with satisfaction, "Go to the front hall and show your face, you might get a pleasant surprise."
Suddenly Xia Chaohua walked in from outside. Upon seeing this, Murong Jia Hui got up, called out "Aunt Tao," bid her farewell, and left.
Xia Chaohua sat opposite her, gazing at her as a bride. For a moment, they were speechless, simply looking at her quietly, as if they would never see each other again.
She broke the ice and spoke up, "Why isn't Mother in the front hall? It's so lively there."
"Tao'er, it was my fault before. I was overthinking things. You must take good care of yourself in your husband's family. The royal family is not like an ordinary family. You must be careful with your words and actions."
She seemed a little awkward when she said this, but she said it anyway for her own purposes.
Tao Tao nodded slightly, looking as if she had listened to everything, her amber eyes fixed on her. "Mother, don't worry, even if I become the Crown Princess, I will still be your daughter and won't abandon you."
"I will keep my promises."
She had said this many times before, but her mother was always anxious and insecure, probably because she had been brought to this place far from home in her early years.
In addition, the lack of care and love she received, coupled with her carefree childhood, created a huge gap between her past and present life, which led to her current fragile heart.
Only then did Xia Zhaohua reveal a genuine smile, and said softly, "Mother didn't mean anything by it, I just hope you are happy."
Upon hearing this, she simply smiled and said nothing more.
Soon, a cacophony of gongs and drums erupted outside, and the main street leading to the palace was bustling with activity as the common people gathered to watch the Crown Prince of the Celestial Empire take his wife.
Qi Heng, dressed in a deep red brocade wedding gown embroidered with four-clawed golden dragons, with his incomparably handsome face, rode a strong and sturdy white steed, appearing even more elegant and noble.
In the center of the wedding procession stood a spacious and luxurious golden carriage, drawn by four fine horses, with vermilion semi-transparent curtains hanging around it, making the people inside appear and disappear.
It added a touch of mystery and voyeurism compared to the enclosed sedan chair.
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