Chapter 559 Huang Yuyan astounds everyone!
That was something only the Empress Dowager and the Empress could wear; even if a princess wore it, it would be considered an overstepping of the rules.
"Princess, this is too precious!" Huang Yu exclaimed, flattered as she held the box.
Zhou Xinrou didn't care at all, as if she had given away nothing more than an ordinary little trinket.
"You saved my life. Are these mere pieces of jewelry less valuable than my life?"
"No," Huang Yu said hastily, but Zhou Xinrou stopped her.
"Take it, it's what you deserve."
Huang Yu had no choice but to step aside, clutching the box.
The families of high-ranking officials and nobles were filled with envy, their eyes lingering on the cloak and headdress.
Shen Yuantang was furious.
Her mother had never given her such a wonderful thing.
The other daughters of the Shen family are alright, since they are not their biological offspring, and it doesn't matter to them who they are given to.
They naturally saw Shen Yuantang's appearance and chuckled to themselves, wanting to watch the show.
This topaz is going to be in big trouble.
Ever since Shen Yuantang married Zhou Ruyuan, she has become incredibly arrogant. After losing her child, she became even more domineering and manic, as if everyone in the Shen family owed her something.
Sometimes even the elders in the family have to give her some leeway. Why should they?
It would be best to teach Shen Yuantang a lesson a few times.
Halfway through the family reunion banquet, Shen Lanxi's congratulatory gift arrived.
This is exactly what the families of high-ranking officials and nobles have been waiting for.
His Majesty's absence was naturally within their expectations. What is Huang Yu's status, and what is His Majesty's status?
It's just a family reunion banquet, how could it be more important than national affairs?
"By the grace of Heaven...a set of yellow jade headdress, a precious sword, a box each of gold and jade hairpins, five hundred taels of silver, and a bolt of gold-threaded brocade are hereby granted!"
Upon hearing of such numerous rewards, many members of the families of high-ranking officials and nobles looked on with envy.
Zhou Xinrou wasn't particularly happy, but she didn't show it. She calmly let Huang Yu accept the reward.
"This is a token of your older sister's appreciation. You should help your older sister with her work from now on!"
Huang Yu smiled faintly: "Daughter understands."
Others may not know, but she knew the contents of the letter sent to the palace.
The letter from home requested that she be granted the title of County Princess, but now there is only a reward, not a title, which clearly indicates that Shen Lanxi does not agree.
Liu Mingxin's wife also arrived; her daughter had topped the imperial examination list this time. As Zhou Xinrou went to rest, the attention of the prominent families, previously focused on Huang Yu, immediately shifted to Liu Mingxin's wife.
"Lord Liu and his wife have truly raised their daughter well. I wonder if she is betrothed?"
If it weren't for Zhou Xinrou hosting a family reunion banquet, Mrs. Liu Mingxin wouldn't have wanted to go out at all.
She was away visiting her family when her daughter became the top scholar in the imperial examination.
How could a woman serve as an official in the imperial court?
How will my daughter ever get married?
Who would dare to marry her?
"My daughter..." She was about to speak when the old woman behind her tugged at her sleeve.
"Madam, the master forbids you from interfering in Miss's marriage."
A hint of resentment flashed in Mrs. Liu Mingxin's eyes. Why couldn't she arrange a marriage for her own daughter?
"Madam, don't forget what the master said."
Mrs. Liu Mingxin was still shaken when she recalled the big argument from two days ago.
She chuckled dryly and said to everyone, "My master has already chosen an official position for our daughter, and she will be going to Dongchuan to take up her post next month."
The ladies of high society felt a pang of regret.
"Women should still get married and have children, otherwise when they get older, all the good families will have already taken them, and all that will be left are ugly girls!"
"Men dislike women who compete with them for profit; they don't act like women at all."
"Men like gentle, considerate, and compliant women."
"A woman's true destiny lies in being a good wife and mother, and serving her parents-in-law."
Huang Yu grew angrier as she listened, and immediately retorted, "You are willing to stay at home to be good wives and mothers, but other women may not be."
“A woman’s destiny doesn’t necessarily have to be confined to the inner quarters. So what if she’s older? Our Emperor is over thirty, isn’t he? Before, during the civil service examination in the Golden Palace, there was a handsome young man, much younger than His Majesty, who publicly expressed his willingness to serve His Majesty.”
“Those grown men, as they get older, aren’t they surrounded by many young women?”
"It is clear that marriage has little to do with age or appearance. As long as a woman is capable, there are plenty of young and good-looking men willing to pay her off."
These words were like a thunderclap, leaving the noble ladies dumbfounded!
Is it possible for a woman to say such a thing?
Huang Yu spoke with righteous indignation and a cold voice.
"His Majesty has shown us with facts that a woman's destiny is not necessarily confined to the inner palace. Do you ladies think His Majesty is wrong?"
Who dares to speak ill of His Majesty?
The wives of high-ranking officials and nobles all hated Huang Yu. He had just managed to curry favor with the Shen family when he started to bully them with his power.
Just as she finished thinking that, she belatedly realized that Huang Yu was using this incident to curry favor with His Majesty by stepping on them.
After they realized what had happened, they were filled with deep regret.
"We didn't say anything!"
"Exactly, exactly. It's just an inquiry about Miss Liu's marriage. Isn't this how people have always inquired about their children's marriages throughout history?"
"That's right, Miss Huang, please don't misunderstand us. If that's the case, we've done more harm than good."
Huang Yu let out a sigh of relief: "Ladies, please continue your banquet. I'm going to check on my mother."
After she left her seat, the ladies of high society all looked at her with displeasure and left without lingering.
...
At the family reunion banquet, Shen Yuanxin actually took a liking to someone.
After making inquiries from various sources, they learned that the man was already married and had two children. Helpless, they had no choice but to give up and look for a more suitable candidate.
Upon returning home that day, he saw Shen Yuantang making things difficult for Shen Yuanjin. He cursed his bad luck in his heart and quickly withdrew.
"Don't leave now that you're back!"
"What, are you deliberately avoiding me? Don't you want to see me?"
Shen Yuantang's voice rose in pitch.
Shen Yuanxin turned around with a stiff smile: "I suddenly remembered that I have something to take care of."
Shen Yuantang said coldly, "I don't care what you think. It's wrong of you not to bow to me when you see me!"
Shen Yuanxin's smile froze. Just as she was about to explain, she heard Shen Yuantang say, "Granny, teach her the rules of the school properly. The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children must be clear. She is an illegitimate daughter, yet she not only comes and goes freely in and out of the mansion, but she also doesn't bow or pay respects to the legitimate daughter. She is simply disgracing the Shen family!"
Shen Yuanxin's face turned pale. Even in the past, they could freely enter and leave the mansion.
Why is it not possible now? It's obvious that Shen Yuantang is deliberately making things difficult for us.
"I'll punish you by making you kneel here for two hours!" Shen Yuantang said with a malicious smile.
Shen Yuanxin naturally refused. Apart from the hardships she endured during her exile, she had never suffered any other hardships.
"Why should I kneel? This is unreasonable. I'm going to go and explain this to my grandmother!"
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