Duanhua ordered the housekeeper to prepare a cart full of gifts for Su Xingze. When the housekeeper instructed his men to lead the loaded carriage out of the residence, Su Xingze was stupefied as he watched the cartful of gifts.
He shook his head, adamantly refusing, "I cannot accept these gifts!"
Generally speaking, since his sister had been imposing on the princess’s residence for so long, eating, drinking, and lodging there, it was his obligation to thank the princess with gifts. However, due to his rush from the examination ground, he’d not had the chance to prepare any, and had planned on delivering his gifts on another day. But unexpectedly, even before he could deliver his gifts, Duanhua had already bestowed upon him this cart full of gifts.
He was really...
His refusal was explicit and firm, but the housekeeper would not allow him to reject, chuckling and saying, "Just accept this carriage full of gifts. Not only are there presents from the princess, her husband, and Princess Zhenmin, but also advance congratulations on your future successes. They instructed me to ensure you accept them. If you don’t, it would show a lack of respect towards the princess’s residence."
Currently, Su Xingze did not dare to disrespect the princess’s residence. Despite his eloquence and intelligence, he didn’t know what to say at that moment.
The housekeeper cheerfully suggested, "The Shen residence, is it not? I can personally lead the way and deliver these items to the Shen residence? Or should we send them to the Xie residence in the East Fourth Hutong?"
True as it was that Su Xingze really did not wish to accept the gifts, given the way things had turned out, could he really refuse? Refusing gifts was akin to disrespecting the sender. Especially when the face of all three - the princess, her husband, and Princess Zhenmin, was at stake. If his sister had not been staying at the princess’s residence, he could afford not to comply. But given her close ties to the residence now, how could he choose not to?
He gritted his teeth, "The Shen residence it is!"
He’d then discuss with Uncle Shen about how to address the matter of these gifts.
Seeing that Su Xingze had accepted, the housekeeper’s face immediately lit up. He hastily ordered the carriage to set off and personally accompanied Su Xingze to the Shen residence.
When the housekeeper of the Shen residence heard that Su Xingze had returned and a housekeeper from the princess’s residence had come to visit, he hurriedly went out to welcome him.
At the sight of the housekeeper from the princess’s residence pulling a cart full of goods, he was taken aback, looking towards Su Xingze.
Without waiting for Su Xingze to speak, the housekeeper from the princess’s residence chuckled, "These are advance congratulations sent over by our princess, her husband, and Princess Zhenmin to congratulate Master Su on his forthcoming success."
The housekeeper of the Shen residence had never seen gifts given in anticipation of good fortune before. This was a first for the princess’s residence as well.
Su Xingze went to see Shen Xian and told him about the visit to the princess’s residence and the forceful gifting. Shen Xian was equally taken aback, "Your sister... it seems like she has truly earned the favor of everyone at the princess’s residence."
Su Xingze nodded, "Everyone at the princess’s residence seems to be quite fond of my sister."
He never thought that Su Rong would be so popular. Back when they were in Jiangning County, she was utterly disliked, as if they wished to expel her from the entire county.
Shen Xian said, "In Capital City, the residence of Princess Qingping holds a very unique status. She is the only full-blooded sister of the emperor, their bond is beyond ordinary. Hence, when the emperor assumed power, he showed significant favor towards her. Even her husband was decided by her, and the emperor honored her choice by granting her the marriage. Many people criticize Princess Qingping for her wilfulness and blatant disregard for others, selfishly relying on her status as the emperor’s blood sister. But that’s not the case. Just relying on their shared mother wouldn’t let her enjoy years of favoritism without faltering. The reason her residence remains influential is that nobody understands the emperor better than his sister who grew up with him. It can be said that wherever the emperor aims, she strikes. In terms of sensing the emperor’s intentions, Princess Qingping is unrivaled."
Su Xingze was somewhat startled, looking at Shen Xian. His understanding of the princess’s residence was completely overturned today.
Shen Xian, having always been neutral and incorruptible, was one of the emperor’s trusted ministers. His words were never unfounded, "So your sister must be liked not only by Duanhua but also by the princess, her husband and Princess Zhenmin to be able to live comfortably in the princess’s residence. From the gifts they’ve sent you, it can be inferred that besides liking your sister, they’re possibly using your sister, and by extension you, to keep the crown prince on their side. They want to show the crown prince that the residence of Princess Qingping won’t turn to support any other prince, and is leaning towards him."
Su Xingze began to understand, even though his father, Su Xu, was already firmly part of the crown prince’s alliance, his own future also lay in alignment with the alliance of the crown prince.
Shen Xian continued, "So, you do not need to feel burdened by the advance gifts from the princess’s residence. Just accept them. When the opportunity arises in the future, you can return the favor. For example, you’ll certainly have to visit at the birthdays of the princess, her husband, and Princess Zhenmin."
Su Xingze nodded.
Shen Xian, with a smile on his face, said, "Also, it’s a good thing that you have ties with the princess’s residence. If the first and second princes want to cause you trouble, they’d have to think twice, not only because of my influence but also due to the influence of the princess’s residence. Adding the crown prince’s alliance into the mix, you have several factors working in your favor. As long as the first and second princes aren’t foolish, they would know it’s useless to pick on you and would think twice before making a move."
When he finished speaking, he patted Su Xingze on the shoulder, "Go and rest! Before the examination, you were cautious and did not go out for fear of unforeseen troubles. Now that the examination is over, you need not worry anymore. After you’ve rested well, you can go out and make friends with like-minded scholars."
Su Xingze nodded, "Uncle is right."
The housekeeper of the Shen Residence warmly welcomed the housekeeper of the Princess Residence, offering them a cup of tea before politely and amicably escorting them out of the residence.
This was the first time that the housekeeper of the Princess Residence had received such treatment at the Shen Residence. Everyone knew that Lord Shen was uncompromising and idiosyncratic, and during his many years as an official, he curried favour with no one. He maintained an ordinary relationship with every house and didn’t have any close relations, but since he grasped the Ministry of Personnel, no one dared to offend him, and so there were no particularly bad relations. Even the Princess Residence, which relied on the Emperor, was no exception. Therefore, the housekeeper of the Princess Residence was somewhat taken aback by today’s courteous reception.
When the housekeeper returned to the Princess Residence, Princess Qingping had already returned. Upon hearing the housekeeper’s report, she was not surprised. She made a dismissive gesture, and the housekeeper retreated.
At twilight, when the consort returned to the residence, Princess Qingping told him about the day’s events.
After hearing the news, the consort said, "Shen Xian values Su Xingze highly. By actively protecting him and having Su Xingze stay in the Shen Residence, he has stopped the Crown Prince and the second prince from interfering and sabotaging Su Xingze’s examination. Now that Su Rong is involved, we have sent a congratulatory gift to Su Xingze in advance, which can be seen as an act of forming an alliance. Since Shen Xian values Su Xingze, he will naturally give us face."
Princess Qingping murmured, "I always thought Shen Xian was a tough bone to chew, and no one could break him. Unexpectedly, he values someone."
The consort sighed and reminded her, "He and Xie Yuan share a camaraderie due to being from the same examination cohort."
Princess Qingping instantly gripped the consort’s hand, "If it wasn’t for me, you would have been like them, and now held an important position in court, not stuck in a minor post for many years."
The consort held her hand tighter, "Compared to Xie Yuan and Princess Zhenmin who are at odds with each other, I consider myself fortunate. Let’s not bring up the past again."
Life has no ’ifs’. He doesn’t know what his life would be like if Princess Qingping hadn’t intervened. But at least, he feels that his life is now peaceful, which is already very good.
Princess Qingping whispered, "I always feel guilty for only giving you a daughter, Duanhua, and not giving you a son."
The consort clasped her hand, "Having children is a matter of fate. There’s nothing wrong with only having Duanhua."
Princess Qingping opened her mouth but couldn’t say ’I’ll get a concubine for you.’ All she could think of was the day when the imperial doctor from the Imperial Medical Bureau looked at the ancient prescription that Su Rong had given her. The doctor mentioned that with the help of this excellent prescription, the princess’ health could improve. Perhaps after a year or half, she might have another son or daughter.
Nobody knew better than the imperial doctor from the Imperial Medical Bureau her urgent wish to give birth to another son for the consort.
The consort knew what Princess Qingping was thinking and earnestly said, "I truly think you need not worry too much. Having only you and Duanhua in my life is already wonderful."
Princess Qingping felt a warmth in her eyes and nodded.
Suddenly, the consort lowered his voice and said, "Did you notice that Lady Su Qi looks a lot like the late Princess Zhenmin?"
Princess Qingping was taken aback, "Do you think so too?"
The consort nodded, realizing that Princess Qingping, who had known Zhenmin since childhood, would never forget what she looked like, no matter how many years had passed. He nodded, "Yes, I also think they look alike."
Princess Qingping straightened up, "I thought they looked somewhat alike, but I didn’t dare to think...did she have anything to do with Zhenmin?"
The consort said, "Xie Yuan has been staying in Jiangning County, allegedly because he gets along well with Su Xu and decided to stay there and help him. But isn’t he even more similar in temperament to Shen Xian? Considering that Su Rong resembles Princess Zhenmin so much, and Xie Yuan had relations with Princess Zhenmin..."
Princess Qingping said, "Su Rong is fifteen this year."
Her eyes suddenly widened, she looked intently at the consort, a little afraid to think, "My lord, do you think she could be..."
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