Later, the emperor casually introduced Ling Xiao to a few princes and princesses, and the scene was roughly as follows.
Emperor: This is your eldest brother. The eldest prince stood up with a simple smile.
"Your second brother, oh, your second brother just went out on business," the emperor said casually.
………………
Ling Xiaotong nodded and chuckled in response, not caring about the appearance of any of the princes or princesses.
Some people secretly mocked her, saying that the princess didn't seem very bright, and that no matter how favored she was, she was still just a woman.
If she doesn't seize the opportunity to befriend the prince, her future will be bleak, as a new emperor brings a new court.
The system says that people in their line of work never think about the future; they're like saying, "I'll run away and then who cares if the world collapses or the floods come."
"Your mother once discussed with me that if she gave birth to a daughter, she would name her Miaoying. I even jokingly said that I would grant her Luoyang as her fief. I thought I could never do it again, but who would have thought that Heaven would protect me and allow me to have her back."
The emperor said with a slight sigh.
Ling Xiao stepped forward and took the emperor's arm by hand. Feeling the skin beneath her hand stiffen for a moment, she tightened her grip.
A genuine smile finally appeared on his face, and he said affectionately, "Miaoying, I like this name. Thank you, Father."
Before the emperor could feel pleased, she smoothly changed the subject, "Half the year has already passed, is the income of the fief still calculated based on the whole year?"
"You little rascal!" the emperor said, pointing at Ling Xiao and laughing, "So you're only trying to curry favor with me for the money from your fiefdom."
"Father, you're talking nonsense. Parents in ordinary families prepare family property and dowries for their children. I've enjoyed your love and care for so many years, can't I even ask for a little money?"
"Very well, very well," the emperor thought with a pang of heartache. Yes, his daughter had just arrived at the palace and only had him as her support. She had nothing of value, so it was only natural for her to want some money from her father.
"Someone, deliver all of Luoyang's tax revenue for this year to Princess Luoyang at Changle Palace."
This sentence addresses three points.
First, the princess's title has been confirmed: Luoyang.
Secondly, Princess Luoyang's fief was chosen by her father out of favoritism, located in the ancient capital of Luoyang, a place rich in resources and prosperous in its people.
Thirdly, this is not a matter for the imperial court, but rather something that those in charge of the palace need to understand: Chang Le Palace belongs to Princess Luoyang.
After the emperor finished speaking, he gave no further instructions, and naturally someone would handle all the decrees and procedures perfectly.
He never expected anyone to object.
The emperor had been on the throne for many years and held great power. Everyone in the court had been subdued and obedient.
Anyone who dares to utter a word of complaint has already gone to the underworld with their relatives from the same household register. Those who remain have no reason to grovel before the emperor's decision.
The emperor then turned to his daughter, who bore a striking resemblance to his beloved wife, and said softly:
"I will reward you with some more gold and silver from my private treasury for your daily use. There are too many snobbish people in the palace; my son, don't be stingy."
The emperor's other children must be envious; they were all the same before, except for Princess Jingning, who received some favor.
It's just that the rewards are more generous and the chances of meeting the emperor are greater on ordinary days, so everyone can feel at peace with that.
When a precious daughter suddenly appears and is carefully cherished, it's inevitable that everyone will feel a pang of jealousy.
Ling Xiao caught the emperor's jealous gaze, but instead of flinching, she met his gaze with a defiant smile, deliberately speaking in a high-pitched voice:
"Is that all? We haven't even bought clothes and jewelry for our daughter yet."
"What's the harm? We can just have some new ones made. I've already picked out some for you at Chang Le Palace, so just wear them for now."
As for gold, silver, and precious jewels, the emperor was completely indifferent to them unless they were extremely large.
The emperor's possession of the entire world is not a joke.
……………………
On stage, the emperor and his daughter were enjoying themselves immensely, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere. Naturally, the ministers joined in, showering them with compliments.
"Alas, only a wise and virtuous emperor could have chosen such a beautiful and talented person as the Heavenly Princess as his daughter."
After flattering someone, they should also subtly belittle themselves to entertain everyone.
The banquet had completely lost its previous chilling and terrifying atmosphere, and no one mentioned the deposed crown prince.
In the power struggle, the losers don't deserve to be remembered!
Yan Cai Ren forced a smile, her hand under the table firmly gripping her daughter to keep her from acting recklessly.
The enemy's glory and one's own downfall are separated by less than a moment!
A deep-seated hatred gnawed at Yan Cai Ren's heart like a venomous snake, and she turned to look at her daughter.
Princess Jingning stared motionlessly at the laughing crowd, her eyes filled with tears. Her once rosy and delicate face was now pale and pitiful.
While tidying her daughter's messy hair, Consort Yan whispered to her:
"Remember this humiliation, Jingning. Your father is cold and ruthless, so you must show him even more affection and be a good daughter. Only then will you have a chance."
As for Princess Luoyang, even Empress Zhangde died of depression in the palace, let alone a little girl.
Princess Jingning shuddered and nodded slightly.
"Being good friends with Princess Luoyang will be beneficial to you," Consort Yan said with satisfaction.
Ling Xiao had had enough of the flattery and grew impatient. Her expression gradually darkened, and she spoke directly:
"The banquet has been going on for quite some time, and I am feeling rather tired. Please allow me to rest early, Your Majesty."
The scene fell silent as everyone waited for the emperor's reaction.
The emperor nodded in agreement. His thinking was simple: his beloved daughter had traveled all the way from Jinling to the capital, which was tiring, and she had spent so much time talking with him. It was only natural that she was tired.
Only when her daughter is close to her does she dare to express her own thoughts.
Ling Xiao lifted her foot to leave, but then suddenly turned back to the emperor as if she had forgotten something and said, "Father, you've forgotten something."
"Oh, what is it?"
"We've got the mortal world, but what about the rest?"
The emperor suddenly realized his mistake and said he would definitely do it. Ling Xiao left happily.
The father and daughter were speaking in riddles, leaving everyone else puzzled, but fortunately the emperor solved the mystery in the next second.
"Princess Luoyang has returned to the royal family, which greatly pleases me. I hereby grant that all officials pay homage to her."
The Duke of Cheng was the first to react from his stunned colleagues. A princess enjoying the privileges that even the crown prince might not have, although it was overstepping his bounds, was not inexplicable.
For example, the princess is born of the legitimate wife, or the princess has suffered.
So he was the first to agree, and the others quickly followed suit.
The banquet finally ended, and several momentous events occurred in quick succession during this small palace banquet: the Crown Prince was deposed, the Yan Consort's faction suffered a crushing defeat, and the daughter of Empress Zhangde returned to the palace.
It was unbelievable to everyone involved.
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