Chapter 4: Velvet Flower for Glory
"You, little lady, look gentle and weak, but you have a very domineering temper. I like you! Your family name is Pu, and what is your nickname?" Over there, Princess Duanhui became excited and looked at Pu Qiongzhi with admiration.
"My maiden name is Qiongzhi, and I don't have a nickname." Pu Qiongzhi answered truthfully.
Her father said that she was the only daughter of the Pu family and would be the head of the family in the future, so she didn't need a nickname to diminish her dignity.
"In that case, I'll just call you Qiongzhi! Calling you Mingxu's bride all the time is awkward and awkward."
Seeing that Princess Duanhui thought so highly of her, the other ladies and nobles beside her also changed their expressions.
Even though they had a lot of resentment towards Pu Qiongzhi's banditry in their hearts, they did a great job of saving face.
"Ms. Wen Shu'an's dress is so beautiful. When the sun shines on it, the water shimmers, it's so pretty!" A lady nearby suddenly pointed out.
In fact, she had wanted to ask for a long time, but she did not dare to speak out because of the presence of Princess Roujia and others.
Pu Qiongzhi finally got the question she was waiting for. She looked at the person asking the question and said, "Madam Pingyuan has good taste! This is the new material from the Pu family's business, Pingting. It's called Liuyun Jin."
Everyone looked closely and indeed saw a subtle shimmer of light when her skirt swayed, which was low-key yet unique.
"It's just that the cloth is complicated to weave, and it takes a lot of effort to make one piece. I just made this piece." Seeing that everyone was interested, Pu Qiongzhi began to raise the price of the cloth and talked about the difficulty of the craftsmanship.
Sure enough, many people hesitated after hearing this.
If the speed is too slow, you don’t know when you can get a horse.
Such treasures are probably not enough for the imperial tribute, so how could they get them?
Seeing that they were a little disappointed, Pu Qiongzhi changed the subject again, "However, if you need anything, you can let me know, and I will let them work for you first."
Hearing this, all the noble ladies were delighted and expressed their desire.
However, Pei Wanqing in the corner was very dissatisfied with Pu Qiongzhi's answer just now.
She lowered her head in silence... She had clearly recited the poem in which Pu Qiongzhi seduced the Ninth Prince in her previous life!
She thought she could suppress Pu Qiongzhi's arrogance in this way, but she didn't expect that she had no reaction at all, and even disagreed!
When my flower blooms, all other flowers will die... You are so good, Pu Qiongzhi, why don’t you act so flattering this time?
After facilitating a large business deal, Pu Qiongzhi was not satisfied with this and came up with another surprising move, "You all are devoted to the country. I am deeply moved. I have specially prepared a small gift. I hope you will not despise it."
Yan'er took out the boxes that her mistress had asked her to prepare when she left home early in the morning and distributed them one by one to the female relatives present.
When the box was opened, there were silk and velvet flowers of various colors, as well as several woven headbands.
Normally, these things would not be of interest to the officials' families.
But now, they have all "donated" all their jewelry, so it would be better to use these velvet flowers to embellish them.
Looking at the two simple velvet flowers in Wen Shuan's hair, paired with this dress, she looks unique, lively and exquisite.
"This is a very good move. The national treasury is empty, and we are experiencing a severe drought. We were born in the imperial city, so we should be grateful for the hard work our ancestors put into establishing their legacy. I will lead by example by wearing silk and velvet flowers in my hair, promoting a frugal and simple lifestyle!"
Gongsun Ying spoke first, and then ordered the maid to pin the red velvet flower that Pu Qiongzhi had chosen for her on her hair.
She was wearing a dark red dress today, which matched the color perfectly and added a bit of brightness.
This is a good thing that is beneficial to reputation. Even people like Pei Wanqing and Ding Momo will not miss such an opportunity.
"Oh, Your Majesty, you used to only be seen wearing gorgeous crowns, but now these silk flowers make you look even more calm and beautiful!" A noble lady exclaimed, and then began to flatter the Your Majesty.
The imperial concubine was initially reluctant, but upon hearing this, she instantly felt much happier. "Really? I don't mind. I just think it's a gesture of helping His Majesty to relieve his worries."
Another noble lady also flattered Roujia, "The princess's whole body is elegant, even wearing velvet flowers, she is still very elegant."
"Of course! Otherwise, I would be the head of the noble ladies!" Ding Momo raised her chin proudly and adjusted the velvet flowers on her temples.
Seeing that they accepted the velvet and silk flowers in this way, Pu Qiongzhi turned her attention to the headbands.
"These headbands each have their own wonderful uses. It's a shame you all wore your hair in buns today. I'll have the chance to discuss the beauty of braided hair with you all another day."
"Although I think braiding is a bit stingy, but if it belongs to Wen Shuan, I would be looking forward to it!" A noble lady sighed sincerely.
Gongsun Ying watched this young lady from the beginning, the controversy, to later deceiving noble ladies and officials' families into donating jewelry, and then to attracting everyone's attention with her clothes...all of this was prepared long ago!
Thinking back to when I ran into her outside the city gate and she begged me for a reward, I just found it funny.
Now that such a great figure has come to the capital, life will finally not be so boring!
Noticing her gaze, Pu Qiongzhi turned around and looked at her, then winked at her.
The flower viewing party was over, and Pei Wanqing took a while to react.
Today, not only did she fail to ruin Pu Qiongzhi's reputation, but the other party transformed into an eighth-rank Anren!
The more she thought about it, the more angry she felt...
But what does it matter if Pu was granted the title? She is already married!
She is obviously the Ninth Prince's wife, so what does that bitch Pu matter to her!
Yes, she is married to Mingxu!
That man is deeply in love with me and will definitely help me deal with her!
…
The officials and their families dispersed, and Pu Qiongzhi's carriage left the farm and turned back.
"Your Highness, I have fulfilled all my promises." She smiled faintly, "I have come to ask for your reward."
"Reward?" Gongsun Ying raised an eyebrow and smiled, "I've already asked His Majesty for an imperial decree on your behalf. Isn't this reward enough?"
"My imperial decree is a reward from Your Majesty for donating my dowry to aid refugees in the suburbs of Beijing."
At this point, she lowered her voice and said, "But if I help you blackmail the ladies of high rank and noble birth, that's another matter."
"I donated all my dowry, and I was already stretched thin. Furthermore, I helped you, Your Highness, by paving the way for you, and you took advantage of me. Now, I have nothing left."
"Your Majesty is clear about rewards and punishments, and Your Highness is naturally the same. You will not be willing to let me starve, will you?" Pu Qiongzhi's watery eyes moved to Princess Duanhui's face, and she just stared at her eagerly.
Gongsun Ying laughed heartily, "You're such a mischievous fellow! You won't even take the slightest loss!"
"The jewelry you donated today will probably be earned back from this clothing and jewelry shop tomorrow, right?" She was not so easily fooled.
This young lady took advantage of all of them to fill her own pocket, yet she still acted so aggrieved. She is so cunning!
"Your Highness, please understand that I have been doing all these things for you!" Pu Qiongzhi's eyes moved and she lowered her eyes.
Seeing that the young lady seemed to be about to cry, Gongsun Ying felt a little overwhelmed. "Let me hear it first, what reward do you want?"
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