"You're so unfilial! Leaving your old mother here to face those wolves and tigers! Alright! I'm fine, don't underestimate me!"
After saying that, she quickly followed after Old Madam Wang, who was still some distance away…
Wang Yan frowned as he watched her retreating figure. He wasn't worried about others bullying Qin Qing, but rather about someone provoking her and getting a terrible beating!
This is the imperial palace after all. He could help when he was at the princess's residence, but the Empress Dowager and the Empress are in the palace, so there will be some trouble...
However… let her be. Qin Qing isn’t the kind of person to act recklessly. Even if something really happens, I will definitely protect her.
Soon after, Qin Qing was standing behind Old Madam Wang, listening obediently to their conversation. Occasionally, when the conversation turned to her, Qin Qing would respond with a smile and then continue to pretend to be deaf and dumb!
Since the last gathering at the Princess's residence, many mistresses and young ladies remembered Qin Qing's audacious behavior! Daring to contradict the princess to her face, beating a guard in public, and having the insistence of her future mother-in-law, Old Madam Wang, and the favoritism of General Wang—that was something no one dared to even imagine!
Therefore, many people became increasingly curious about Qin Qing…
When Qin Qing was approached by some young women who were actually around fifteen years old, she showed no impatience. Some of the matriarchs of the household were actually around the same age as Qin Qing, and it would be a lie to say they weren't envious!
Who wouldn't want such a good mother-in-law and a good husband! But they can only endure endless power struggles within the family, enduring them alone time and time again.
As a result, the group of women and young ladies chatted more and more amiably, to the point that even Old Madam Wang couldn't get a word in edgewise and could only stare blankly as Qin Qing and the others chatted more and more happily.
"Sister Qin, forgive my bluntness, but the General looks so fierce, how did you come to like him? I was so scared when I first met him..."
Qin Qing saw that it was a girl who was only about fifteen years old, and felt a little helpless. A girl in her teens would definitely be frightened if she saw such a menacing thirty-year-old man...
"Well... I didn't think too much about it when I first met him. He was seriously injured at the time, and as a doctor, I was focused on healing him. Gradually, I discovered that although he looked scary and serious, he was actually very gentle..."
The moment the word "gentle" was uttered, it drew surprised glances from everyone, while the matriarchs smiled teasingly, and the atmosphere gradually became more and more pleasant.
Madam Wang couldn't help but listen as well, and a smile appeared on her face as she thought of her own brat being so arrogant.
Before they knew it, three hours had passed quickly. It wasn't until the eldest princess helped the empress dowager and the empress arrived that they quickly took their seats.
Behind them followed Princess Qingning in a light blue dress and the young princess in a light orange dress, along with several other women, who were likely princesses or concubines.
Upon seeing this, everyone quickly bowed, and only after the Empress Dowager was seated did they smile and say that there was no need for formalities.
Following this were the usual compliments and congratulations. First, gifts were presented by the Empress, concubines, princesses, and others, and then by the Prime Minister's wife, who was a family member of a high-ranking official.
"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, respectfully wish you, 'The fragrance of flowers fades after the rain, and the pine trees remain verdant even in the deep autumn.' I especially present you with a pair of white jade corals!"
As they spoke, two people carried a wooden box. When the Prime Minister's wife opened it, a pair of pure white, coral-shaped jade carvings appeared before her eyes. They were obviously very valuable, completely different from the poisonous coral she had seen in the State of Qi!
Following closely behind was another lady who came to present a gift, which was also quite valuable!
Soon it was Old Madam Wang's turn. She took out a box, and as soon as she opened it, a strong medicinal smell wafted out.
"This is a mountain spirit mushroom. I specially sent someone to find it and present it to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. This herb can be used to make soup to regulate menstruation, or it can be made into incense to aid sleep and help regulate the body's breathing. I am a rough man and don't know any nice words, so I can only wish Your Majesty good health and all the best!"
Clearly, Mrs. Wang, who was ten years younger than the Empress Dowager, understood the Empress Dowager's thoughts and needs better than anyone else! Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager immediately smiled with satisfaction…
"You're so thoughtful! This is exactly what I need."
After saying that, he turned his gaze to Qin Qing and smiled.
"So you are Ayan's fiancée? You are indeed quite beautiful. Although there is a slight age difference, as long as Ayan is willing, that's fine. When you two get married, I will definitely give you a grand gift."
As expected of a victor who had spent many years in the harem, she spoke without the slightest hint of sarcasm, subtly gloating over the fact that she was seven or eight years older than Wang Yan!
Upon hearing this, Qin Qing quickly bowed and expressed his gratitude, showing no sign of arrogance or complacency, which filled Princess Qing Ning with jealousy and resentment!
Just as Qin Qing and Madam Wang were about to leave, Princess Qingning suddenly spoke up!
"Grandmother also said that Madam Qin is the General's fiancée, which means they are not yet married and cannot be considered family! Therefore, since Old Madam Wang has already given a gift, it cannot be said that Madam Qin has also given a gift! So, what about your gift?"
Clearly, Princess Qingning had taken advantage of the fact that she hadn't brought anything with her and that Old Madam Wang wouldn't prepare a second gift, so she deliberately said those words!
At first glance, there seems to be no problem with this statement, but upon closer examination, it's clear that Lady Qin is not familiar with the Empress Dowager and this is their first meeting. Moreover, the General himself has acknowledged her as his fiancée, so it's only a matter of time before they become family. There's no need to be so serious about gift-giving!
But it was Princess Qingning who spoke! How many people dared to speak up and help her? Even the Empress Dowager remained seated in silence, clearly not intending to help her out of this predicament.
Qin Qing: "..." This princess is really annoying. She didn't even expose her earlier for being a princess who had willingly degraded herself to be a dancer, and now she's being so aggressive...
The atmosphere became somewhat tense. After a moment of silence, Qin Qing looked up at the Empress Dowager again, a smile on her face.
Not going to help? Just now you were saying that if we got married you would I send you a big gift, and now you're pretending to be deaf and dumb? That old fox is really something! Neither of them are good people.
"Actually, I do have a gift to present to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. However, Princess Qingning is right. Since I am not married to the General, according to the proper order of seniority, I should present my gift last. That way, I will not break the rules. What do you say, Your Majesty?"
After speaking, she turned the question to the Empress Dowager, then looked troubled…
The Empress Dowager was taken aback, not expecting her to be so sharp-tongued. Then, as if she had just realized what was happening, she scolded Princess Qingning who was standing to the side.
"The rules have always been like this. How can you, a princess, be so rude? Where have you even remembered the palace rules that Momo taught you!"
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