Chapter 37 Imperial Favor
The arrival of the Seventh Prince caused the ladies present to exchange glances.
It seems the imperial family truly favors the Shen family!
When the seventh prince was born, all the officials in the court had the same thought.
Another contender for the top position has arrived.
But later, Consort Xian died and Duke Dingguo disappeared, which made everyone give up on this idea.
Even if the Duke of Dingguo had a high reputation in the army, it couldn't withstand the test of time and the benefits of his position!
Over time, people might protect you a little, but it's unlikely they'd risk their entire family's lives to fight for that position!
Therefore, as everyone knows, the Seventh Prince is at most a prince.
However, it won't be easy for the seventh prince to grow up.
Of the seven princes of the imperial family, the eldest prince died young.
The second prince is the crown prince, and the third prince is the Prince of Qin.
The fourth prince was born to a concubine; he was somewhat dull-witted and offered no help whatsoever.
The Fifth Prince... accidentally fell and hurt his leg.
The sixth prince was sickly from a young age, and the imperial physician had to be summoned every few days.
Next up is the Seventh Prince!
Because of the Shangguan and Shen families, few people dared to directly attack the Seventh Prince.
Even so, after Consort Xian's death, neither the Shangguan nor the Shen family entered the palace for three years.
Fortunately, the imperial family doted on the seventh prince and took good care of him.
The ladies in the courtyard all craned their necks to look outside.
A short while later, a group of eunuchs from the Empress's palace escorted in a young boy wearing a golden crown.
Everyone fell silent. This was the Seventh Prince...
He wore a sapphire blue brocade robe, with a dark jade pendant hanging from his waist.
He's a bit thin, but has handsome features; he'll probably grow up to be a good-looking man.
What's most striking is that the seventh prince's eyes are very bright, as if they can speak.
"Greetings, Aunt!"
"My father and mother know that it is the old lady's birthday today, so they specially sent me to bring a gift to wish her a long and happy life."
As the Seventh Prince spoke, he bowed to Madam Shangguan and Shangguan Jin.
Madam Shangguan was overjoyed.
After Shangguan Jin led everyone in kneeling to express their gratitude to the Emperor, Eunuch Hu and the young eunuchs who followed him were led by Steward Shen to have tea.
At this moment, the Seventh Prince rushed towards Madam Shangguan again.
"Grandmother, Aunt!"
"Father and Mother said that after celebrating the Old Madam's birthday, I can stay at the Duke of Dingguo's residence for one night and return tomorrow!"
The Seventh Prince smiled at Madam Shangguan and Shangguan Jin.
Madam Shangguan was so happy she didn't know what to say.
"Really? What about your studies? Won't the tutor in the study punish you?" Shangguan Jin asked with a smile.
The seventh prince smiled and shook his head.
"No, Father Emperor sent someone to say that it's fine to stay for a few days."
Shangguan Jin nodded, and then looked at Madam Shangguan.
"Mother, why don't you take the Seventh Prince to the backyard to check on the Old Madam? It just so happens that Sister Yue and Brother Jun are in the back."
Lady Shangguan could not have desired it more.
"Come on, your grandmother will lead you there. Your cousins are all behind you!"
You're about the same age, you should have a lot to talk about.
As she spoke, Madam Shangguan pulled the Seventh Prince toward the backyard.
She gripped the Seventh Prince's hand tightly, as if afraid of losing him again.
As everyone watched the Seventh Prince follow Madam Shangguan to the backyard, they all began to make their own plans.
The Emperor's favor towards the Duke of Dingguo's mansion is still evident!
Regardless of which household's matriarch was celebrating her birthday, the Emperor and Empress would send gifts and even dispatch a prince to offer their congratulations, something that had been rare since the founding of the Great Yu Kingdom.
In the past, the Crown Prince or the Prince of Qin would go to celebrate the birthdays of the elderly in some households.
But that's also a way to win people's hearts.
The seventh prince, who has no chance of ascending the throne... that is truly a favor from the imperial family.
At this point, many people's minds started to race again.
Instead of taking sides and gambling on a 50/50 chance of wealth, it's better to find something a little safer.
After all, if you bet right, all is well, but if you bet wrong, your whole family is doomed.
Therefore, it would be better to follow the Seventh Prince, who will become a wealthy and noble prince in the future.
I can't even dream of living a life of luxury for generations, but I should at least be able to keep my life!
Okay, I'll talk to my husband when I get home.
Even the Lady of Wuding Marquis broke out in a cold sweat.
Fortunately, the housekeeper reminded me, allowing me to add two more gifts.
Otherwise, given the current favor the imperial family bestows upon the Duke of Dingguo, what if the Seventh Prince accidentally said something upon returning...?
I'm afraid either my son will be locked up in the Buddhist temple, or I will be locked up in the Buddhist temple myself!
Lady Anguo, standing to the side, simply smiled.
What good is any favor?
Isn't this a way for the imperial court to appease people's hearts?
The Seventh Prince...
So what if he becomes a wealthy prince in the future? Even if he is second only to the emperor, there is still someone above him!
The Zheng family is different from other families.
They are gambling on everlasting wealth.
"Madam..."
"Enjoy the show without worry. The opera troupe invited by the Duke of Dingguo's mansion today is quite good. It's rare to hear such wonderful voices from so many great performers," said the Duchess of Anguo calmly.
Lady Wuding dared not speak again, and could only patiently listen to the actors on the stage singing something.
As for the banquet that followed, looking at the chicken, duck, fish and meat on the table, there wasn't a single delicacy.
Everyone thought it was normal.
Rumors are already circulating.
Because of the intense fighting at the front and the shortage of food supplies, the imperial family has already reduced the expenses of the inner palace.
It was right for the Duke of Dingguo's mansion not to hold a grand celebration.
Sigh, it seems that if the manor holds any banquets in the future, it will have to follow the example of the Duke of Dingguo's manor.
Otherwise, what if you accidentally get implicated?
The birthday banquet was a lively and joyous occasion.
Both the guests and the hosts were in a good mood.
Only after the birthday banquet ended and all the ladies had left did Shangguan Jin rub her aching shoulders and walk towards the backyard.
At this moment, the butler quietly spoke to Shangguan Jin.
"Eunuch Hu led the young eunuchs back."
They said the imperial family instructed that the Seventh Prince would stay overnight at the Duke of Dingguo's residence and be picked up after lunch tomorrow.
"Did you give them a reward?" Shangguan Jin asked in a low voice.
“It’s been given; it was prepared by Aunt Dong.”
The young eunuch always had a fifty-tael purse plus a gold bean.
Eunuch Hu received a red envelope containing one hundred taels of silver. In addition, Aunt Dong also prepared two bottles of the medicinal wine from last time for Eunuch Hu to take with him.
"Eunuch Hu was very pleased," the steward whispered.
Shangguan Jin nodded.
That's right, Dongmai Dried is quite discerning when it comes to these things. He's generous when he needs to be, and stingy when he needs to be.
She'd better go check on the backyard!
I hope the backyard doesn't get flooded!
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