Accompanied by the housekeeper, Princess Qingping toured Duanhua’s private warehouse. Exiting, she sighed heavily.
The housekeeper cautiously asked, "Princess, what sighs you?"
"Ah, I’m sighing at all these treasures. Su Rong has bestowed such a generous gift to Duanhua. Our residence can never match this wealth. What should we give in return?" Qingping sighed, moving towards her own private warehouse, "Let’s see what treasures lie in my own warehouse, pick out a few, we can’t give anything shabby."
The housekeeper spoke carefully, "Perhaps Su Rong never intended to put you in the position of having to return the favor when she gave her gifts."
"Mmm, that could be true, but we cannot go without returning the favor. After all, she was bestowed the title ’Princess’, betrothed to Zhou Gu, and celebrated her matrimonial ceremony before Duanhua. All these require gifts," Qingping said, "Come on, let’s go select right away."
The housekeeper agreed. He hurriedly followed her back to her private warehouse.
As the Princess, Qingping naturally had many treasures in her private warehouse. She was extremely favored by the late emperor, and the current emperor, who was her biological brother, would naturally think of her when obtaining good items. However, compared to the treasures accumulated by the Nanchu King over many generations, she really could not compete.
She carefully examined her inventory for quite a while and selected more than a dozen presentable gifts, instructing the housekeeper to set them aside. Then she pondered, "Do you think if I went to the palace to ask my brother for more items, would he give them to me? Anyway, Duanhua will become his daughter-in-law, and these treasures will eventually be part of her dowry."
The Housekeeper had no idea, so he suggested, "Why don’t you give it a try?"
Qingping nodded, "When my husband returns, I will discuss it with him."
She thought to herself, if the emperor refused, maybe she could cry in front of him like she used to? When his headache kicks in from her crying, perhaps he would give in?
In the past, she wouldn’t have minded doing this. But she suspected now her brother might not want to see her. After all, his beloved Crown Prince had been snatched away by Duanhua. He certainly loved Duanhua as his niece, but as his daughter-in-law, he might not be as pleased.
Her husband returned from the court a bit early that day. Upon his return, he asked, "Is Duanhua at the Eastern Palace?"
"How did you know?" she asked.
He grinned, "It spread from the Council Hall. Several important ministers were supposed to discuss matters with the Crown Prince, but before midday, the housekeeper from Eastern Palace sent someone to relay a message to the Crown Prince, who immediately left his ministers behind and returned to the Eastern Palace. He didn’t come back at all. Upon inquiry, it was learned that Duanhua had gone to the Eastern Palace, and that’s why the Crown Prince returned so hastily."
Qingping was surprised, "Did that really happen?"
"Yes."
Qingping was very shocked,"The Crown Prince doesn’t seem the type to abandon official duties."
Her husband shook his head, "I don’t understand. What happened today? Why did Duanhua go to the Eastern Palace?"
Qingping slapped her forehead, "This is a big deal!"
Rushing to tell her husband about the wagonload of gifts and the letter sent by Su Rong, she smiled and said, "There are hundreds of treasures, among which are seven or eight priceless pieces. Jewelry, ornaments, even an ancient zither, all of them top-notch. Su Rong is really generous!"
She sighed after finishing her speech, "I’ve searched all over my private warehouse, but I couldn’t find enough treasures to match them. I was waiting for you to come back so we could discuss how to persuade the emperor."
Her husband was surprised, "So many good things?"
"Yes." Qingping showed him the list. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
Her husband took it and read it carefully. He was shocked and stood up, "I’m going to check the warehouse."
"Come on, I’ll go with you." Qingping immediately said.
He was about to nod when he remembered something and asked, "Didn’t you rest today? Aren’t you tired?"
"I’ve rested for an hour, don’t worry, I’m not tired." Qingping shook her head.
Her husband nodded, "Then let’s go!"
So, the couple went to Duanhua’s private warehouse again.
After finishing looking at each item, her husband also felt a bit of worry, "So many good things. These are really valuable. Ah, it seems I can only rummage up a few things from my private warehouse as well, but those were meant for men, not women."
"That’s fine, give them to Zhou Gu." Qingping laughed, "I have to admit, over the years, I might have been a bit unfair to him. Duanhua adores him, but his dislike, even disgust, for Duanhua made me angry. I sided with my own daughter and never treated him kindly. Upon thinking about it, I might have been very wrong."
"You, always acting childish. I told you off multiple times over the years, and you even had fights with me," her husband said helplessly, recalling the past.
Qingping glared at him, "How can I not feel for my daughter when she comes back crying each time? Of course you wouldn’t understand, she is not your flesh and blood. Zhou Gu, that boy, is tough and can withstand a few scoldings. He’s older than Duanhua by over a year, he could be more accommodating, even if he doesn’t like her. It’s not like Duanhua would be hard to appease."
Her husband sighed, "At first, Zhou Gu didn’t avoid Duanhua as one might a flood or a wild beast. He spoke with her nicely. But no matter what he said, she would not listen. She pursued him relentlessly. Anyone would run from that. How can you blame him?"
Qingping laughed, "Well, when you put it like that, makes sense. Every time Duanhua came back crying, I was so concerned. I was even angry at the Crown Prince for scolding her. But to be honest, you’re partially to blame. Over the years, you never tried to comfort me. If you had said nice words, I would have listened. But every single time, you only said I was spoiling our daughter. How could I not get angry?"
Her husband held her hand, "It was my fault. Aren’t I changing now?"
Qingping glared at him, "It took you many years to change. Unlike your daughter, who is more intelligent than both of us and has become so well-behaved and gets along with the Crown Prince so well."
She said with emotion, "Master Xie is indeed a good teacher. His wisdom extends throughout his entire being, and Su Rong learned well from him. Duanhua was influenced by her during their time together. Although she didn’t learn everything, she has become so adorable and sensible."
Her husband chuckled, "Stop praising her, she might hear."
Qingping laughed, "Let her hear."
The two of them went to her husband’s private warehouse and selected seven or eight items that indeed suited for men, instructing the housekeeper to set them aside.
She finally made up her mind, "Tomorrow I will go to my brother, he has many items suitable for men in his warehouse. I must ask for a few items considering all the years I’ve spoken ill of Zhou Gu in front of him for Duanhua’s sake."
Her husband couldn’t help but chuckle, "Be careful when you go to the palace tomorrow, don’t upset the Emperor."
"No, I’m going there to ask for things, so I will naturally say whatever pleases him." Qingping spoke with confidence, "Also, I just remembered something. The properties left by the Derui Crown Prince and his Princess for Sister Zhenmin, were taken back by my brother when news of her death and the marriage to Dawei arrived. He never gave them to Su Rong when she was in the capital. I don’t know if he forgot or never intended to give them. Tomorrow, I will ask about this and try to get them back for Su Rong."
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