Chapter 489 Princess Huai'an Misunderstanding
Amber hesitated and said, "Princess, do you want me to go and ask around? The emperor is most averse to the privacy of factions. Is it possible that we are involved with the court officials? Especially now that the young master is leading such an important mission, the princes are watching us!"
Mining coal is like mining gold, it’s all about money, and there is no one in the imperial capital who is not greedy.
Before, the court officials looked down on the eldest princess and her son, but as a result, the eldest son got the job of mining coal, and even the Grand Tutor wanted to marry his granddaughter to them.
Princess Huai'an raised her hand to stop him. "Wait, let me think about this. Although Yong'an Marquis is a court official, he has no real power. He is just a nobleman with an empty title. But the Sixth Prince's concubine is nominally his adopted daughter. Could it be that he sent a thank-you gift to me through Xiji because I spoke for the Sixth Prince's concubine?"
Amber suddenly realized, "Princess, you are smart. You figured it out immediately. This must be the reason. If it is this, then it is easy. But, how should we return the gift?"
Princess Huai'an shook her head and said, "Since the Marquis of Yong'an sent me these things under the name of Xiji, it means he doesn't want to cause any trouble. Forget about the return gift. I will give some small gifts to the Sixth Prince's concubine next time I meet her.
It just so happens that Ajue gave me a lot of bath soaps and skin care creams, which I find very good, and I’m sure the Sixth Prince’s concubine will also like them.”
"yes!"
Su Zhan, who was giving gifts everywhere, had no idea that Princess Huai'an had misunderstood him, and he was still casting his net everywhere, sending seafood to every household as if it were free.
After giving out the New Year gifts, he felt more at ease.
It was the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, and according to custom, the empress dowager would go to the Buddhist temple to make donations on this day.
Su Zhan thought about taking Shen Congrong and the other two with him to pray for safety.
The group braved the wind and snow and rushed to the outside of the Buddhist temple, only to find that the steps of the temple were full of heavily guarded soldiers. The alms-giving location was at the foot of the mountain, and believers who came to worship Buddha could line up to enter the temple, with people entering and leaving one by one, and the line had stretched for a long way.
When Su Zhan was at a loss, a servant came over and bowed, "Lord Shen, Lord Su, Lord Xiong, Concubine Shen invites you to come over."
The four of them hurriedly followed the attendants and soon entered the temple, walking all the way to the high pavilion in the backyard.
Chen Tian and several female relatives were lighting a stove and drinking tea inside.
Shen Congrong and the other three hurriedly knelt down and saluted.
Shen Tian smiled and said, "Everyone, stand up and talk! Aunt, these are the three young talents from Zhaohua County who entered the palace this year. This one is Shen Congrong, the grandson of Yong'an Marquis. That one is Su Yongzhang, a cousin of Shen Congrong. The other one is Xiong Feng, also from Zhaohua County."
"It's true that heroes emerge young! It seems that Zhaohua County is blessed with outstanding people and beautiful scenery. Not only did it produce a wonderful person like you, but it also produced so many talented people!" Princess Huai'an praised, and with a turn of her eyes, she said, "Speaking of which, the seafood that has been popular in the capital in recent years also came from Zhaohua County.
It just so happened that my palace received a New Year gift from Xiji a while ago, which was all rare and top-quality seafood. I think the Marquis is too polite. I just can't stand the Second Prince's wife bullying you so blatantly, so I said a few words in front of the Queen Mother, and the Marquis has always remembered it!"
Shen Tian was confused, "Aunt, are you saying that Yong'an Hou gave you a New Year gift, or is it for me?"
Princess Huai'an nodded repeatedly, "Isn't it?"
Chen Tian shook her head honestly, "Aunt, I prepared a New Year gift for you. I originally planned to send it to your house in two days. The Yong'an Marquis's House has no female relatives, and my godfather avoids suspicion, so they don't associate with the dignitaries in the imperial capital. Even if it's a thank-you gift, it won't be in the name of a New Year gift. The seafood is most likely not sent by my godfather."
"This is strange! Amber who is by my side checked and found out that the other party is from Xiji." Princess Huai'an said seriously.
The invisible Su Zhan had no choice but to stand up and say, "Princess, the gift was given by me that year."
"You?" Princess Huai'an and Shen Tian were both stunned.
Amber and others were even more confused.
Su Zhan smiled awkwardly and said, "The thing is, I am Congrong's uncle. My sister and brother-in-law are not here. I came to the imperial capital this time and heard that Congrong almost got into trouble. I was worried that he didn't understand these interpersonal relationships and might offend people again. So I took the initiative to send a New Year gift to everyone my sister and brother-in-law knew."
Princess Huai'an became more and more confused as she listened. "I don't know Little Shen's parents. Did you make a mistake?"
Su Zhan looked at Shen Congrong for help.
Shen Congrong had no choice but to take out the token given by Murong Jue.
Princess Huai'an's eyes widened instantly, "Isn't this my son's jade pendant? How come it's in your hand?"
Shen Congrong suddenly realized, "It turns out that the young master is the eldest princess's son! This jade pendant was given to Congrong by the young master before he left. He said that if he encountered any trouble in the imperial capital, he could take this jade pendant to find Her Royal Highness the eldest princess.
That day, my uncle asked Congrong who he knew in the imperial capital, and Congrong told him everything he could think of, and even mentioned you. At that time, Congrong didn't know what my uncle was planning, and he didn't expect that he would cause trouble to Her Royal Highness the Princess. Damn it."
Princess Huai'an looked at the token carefully, but didn't say anything. She returned the jade pendant to Shen Congrong, "Since it is something that Ajue gave you, you should keep it. If you encounter trouble in the future, just come to me as he said. I will definitely help you if I can!"
Shen Congrong knelt down and thanked him.
Princess Huai'an curiously inquired, "How did you and Ajue know each other?"
Shen Congrong was a little embarrassed, and hurriedly clasped his fists and bowed to explain, "In fact, Congrong and the young master don't have much intersection, but my family opened a shop called Qingfengzhai, and the young master had some business dealings with my family. During the Chinese New Year, he came to our house for a New Year's Eve dinner and stayed for a few days."
"You said Ajue went to your house to celebrate the New Year?" Princess Huai'an was shocked, as if she had heard something big.
Shen Congrong nodded honestly, “Not only that, the young master and Uncle Xue also took my brother and sister away. Now my brother and sister have learned a lot of skills by following the young master.”
"How old are your brother and sister?" Princess Huai'an asked with raised eyebrows.
Shen Tian on the side quickly interrupted, "Eight years old, the two children are twins, a boy and a girl, they are still young!"
Shen Congrong nodded repeatedly.
The confusion in Princess Huai'an's eyes became even more intense.
Before she could continue asking, the young monk came over and asked her, so she had to give up asking questions.
Su Zhan hurriedly took the three of them to the main hall to burn incense and pray for peace and blessings.
After finishing their work, the four of them went down the mountain as quickly as possible and left in a carriage.
Su Zhan heaved a sigh of relief only after the carriage had gone far away. "Oh my! I was almost scared to death just now! Fortunately, the princess did not pursue the matter."
Shen Congrong quickly comforted him, “Uncle, you are kind-hearted. Besides, it’s just sending seafood, it’s okay!”
Su Zhan waved his hands and sighed, "My uncle is incompetent. He wanted to help but ended up doing more harm than good. From now on, my uncle can only give you money. You still have to rely on yourself for everything. Although you survived this time, there is no guarantee that there won't be a next time. It's best to let your grandfather find out the murderer behind this."
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