Chapter 17 He really thinks he's something special.
The emperor's expression gradually softened, and he let out a long sigh: "So be it, so be it."
"In that case, let's leave it at that for now."
"However, you'd better watch your step in the future. If you make the same mistake again, I will not let you off easily!"
The Crown Prince quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude: "Thank you for your mercy, Father. I will remember your teachings and never repeat this mistake."
Seeing that the emperor's anger had subsided, the crown prince asked, "Father, what about my betrothal gifts? Seventh Uncle went too far. He made me deliver the betrothal gifts, but Yu Rou thought it was me who sent them."
"What? You wouldn't be so vain as to admit that it was the betrothal gift you gave to Shan Yurou, would you?" The emperor's eyes widened as if he were about to spit fire.
The Crown Prince shuddered, but thinking of Shan Yurou's gentle and tender eyes, he still forced himself to say, "Father, as the Crown Prince and the future heir apparent, if the betrothal gifts are too meager, it will surely be criticized and damage the royal family's reputation."
Upon hearing this, the emperor's anger flared up again.
He raised his foot again and kicked the prince hard, cursing, "You brainless idiot!"
"The seventh prince has already taken all my treasures. What do you have to compare with him?"
"You think you can be better than the seventh brother? What a load of rubbish!"
"Don't you even realize how much trouble you've caused and how much trouble you've brought upon me!"
The prince was kicked and fell to the ground, looking disheveled, but when he thought of Shan Yurou's gentle and expectant eyes, his heart softened.
Ignoring the pain, the Crown Prince struggled to his feet and knelt before the Emperor again, pleading, "Father, I know I was wrong, but Yu Rou... I really don't want to wrong her with the betrothal gifts. I beg you, Father, to have mercy."
Seeing the Crown Prince's stubbornness, the Emperor was furious and about to lash out again when the Empress quickly stepped forward, gently tugged at the Emperor's sleeve, and said softly, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is only concerned about the royal family's reputation. Please reconsider."
The emperor snorted coldly and said irritably, "Consider? What's there to consider! All my treasures have been taken by the seventh prince, where would I get anything extra to give him as a betrothal gift?"
Upon seeing this, the Empress spoke up, saying, "Your Majesty, next month is the crucial match between our two nations. Yu Rou will represent our dynasty in the competition. This battle concerns the face and honor of our country. If she wins, she will bring unparalleled glory to our dynasty!"
Thinking of this, the emperor frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then slowly said, "So be it. Since you value this marriage so much, I can't make things too difficult for you."
"I will have a generous betrothal gift prepared, and I will make sure you don't lose face in front of everyone."
The crown prince was overjoyed and was about to express his gratitude when the emperor changed the subject and said, "However, don't have too high expectations."
"Your betrothal gifts this time are probably not even one-tenth as good as those of the seventh prince."
This time, the seventh brother really emptied out his treasure pavilion!
Not even half a piece was left, let alone a single one!
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince's newly ignited hope dimmed slightly, but the thought that having his father's permission was better than nothing made him kneel down again to express his gratitude: "Thank you for your mercy, Father. Your son will always remember your kindness."
"Hmm, tell her to prepare well for the competition. Shan Yurou must win this match!" The emperor's face was ashen, and his tone was full of warning and reminder.
This match is not only about her personal future and destiny, but also about the dignity and glory of the dynasty.
Otherwise, how could a mere concubine's daughter be qualified to marry into the royal family!
Meanwhile, in Shanfu.
Seeing the butler carrying the "Starry Sky Glass Cup" past, Shan Yurou's eyes lit up, and she excitedly called out to him, "Uncle Butler, where are you going?"
Shan Mingyuan naturally noticed the "Starry Sky Glazed Lamp" in the steward's hand and asked in surprise, "Isn't this the 'Starry Sky Glazed Lamp' that our ancestor used? Why is it out here?"
When Yu Rou was little, she saw the "Starry Sky Glass Lamp" and wanted to see it, but her grandfather wouldn't let her. He said it was something her great-grandmother had used and was extremely precious. How could he bear to take it out now?
"It's Miss Shanxi who wants to use it to make tea." The butler shook his head helplessly.
"What? She actually dared to use this treasure to make tea? Didn't you tell Grandpa?" Shan Yurou looked surprised, a hint of hurt flashing in her eyes.
"We've consulted with the master, and he said we'll do as she requests." The butler frowned.
A deep resentment flashed in Shan Yurou's eyes. She felt that her grandfather was biased. Was it because she was not his biological daughter?
"Isn't this ridiculous? This is a treasure that my great-grandmother used. How can we let her use it?" Shan Mingyuan snatched the "Starry Sky Glazed Lamp" away. "I'm keeping this. If that rebellious girl wants it, let her come and ask me for it!"
If we don't teach her a lesson, she'll become completely unruly from the old man's spoils!
"This...Miss Shanxi is also accompanied by Old Master Chen," the butler said in a panic.
He wasn't afraid of Shanxi, but rather of Old Master Chen!
"Father, why is Old Master Chen so protective of Shanxi?" Shan Yurou asked unwillingly.
"Hmph, that old bachelor just wants to use Shanxi's identity to take everything from the Shan family." Shan Mingyuan sneered disdainfully.
By using Shanxi's name as the head of the family, he could not only control the Shan family, but also perhaps gain some benefits from that fool Shanxi. For Old Master Chen, this was killing two birds with one stone.
Upon hearing this, a look of shock flashed across the butler's eyes.
"What? Then...then isn't my sister in great danger?" Shan Yurou's eyes darted around, noticing the butler's changed expression. A smile played on her lips as she immediately pulled the butler aside. "Uncle Butler, you are the butler of the Shan family, second only to the head of the household. This time..."
The butler was overjoyed upon hearing this and hurriedly expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you very much, Miss Yu Rou."
In the backyard, the butler arrived late.
Seeing the butler arrive empty-handed, Old Master Chen frowned and asked, "Where is Miss's 'Starry Sky Glass Cup'?"
Upon hearing this, the butler sneered, "You want thousand-year-old white tea, you want the 'Starry Sky Glass Cup,' and you want to be purified with ten-thousand-year-old agarwood? Why don't you just fly to the moon?"
"Old Master Chen, this is my Shan Mansion, not your Chen Mansion!"
"I can't even be bothered to expose your dirty thoughts!"
Old Master Chen was immersed in the heartwarming reunion with Shanxi when he was unexpectedly scolded by the steward for simply asking the steward for something from Miss.
He frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes, and said coldly, "Explain yourself clearly, what filthy thoughts are you talking about?"
The butler sneered, his face full of mockery, and said, "Ha, you approach our young lady, flatter her, and protect her, isn't it all because you've taken a liking to her? What? Is the Chen family so desperate for money that they need to use our Shan family's things to curry favor with our young lady?"
What kind of "starry sky glass cup" should be used to drink tea? What kind of ancient purple teapot should be used to brew tea? And different teas require different teapots and cups!
Shanxi is from the countryside and has never even drunk tea before. How could he be so picky?
"So picky about tea, really thinks too highly of yourself!" The butler rolled his eyes dismissively.
He's not giving it to me today!
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