(Situ Wanqing, nicknamed Doudou, is the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Situ Luoyun of Laifeng State and the legitimate sister of Situ Xuanye. She has a gentle temperament and appears at the age of fourteen.)
In the nineteenth year of Tianze, fifteen-year-old Situ Wanqing was a top student in the Tianzi Class of the Imperial Academy. Situ Wanqing and Feng Qiyan were to be the next leaders of the civil and military officials of the Laifeng Kingdom.
The envoys from various countries had ulterior motives and made things difficult for Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess. Some officials from their own countries also had ill intentions and took the opportunity to fan the flames.
However, Her Royal Highness remained calm and cleverly responded to these people's provocations in a seemingly rude manner.
At this moment, Situ Wanqing slowly stood up from the seats for the Prime Minister's family members. Her eyes were like sharp arrows, quickly sweeping across everyone in the Baohua Hall.
"Your Highness is so understanding of the people's sentiments and knows their real living conditions. This is truly a blessing for the people of Laifeng..."
Situ Wanqing spoke at a perfect pace, neither too fast nor too slow, her voice clear and melodious, like a yellow oriole chirping out of a valley. Her words were filled with genuine respect, drawing the attention of everyone present.
But she said with a serious and righteous expression, "Everyone here comes from a prominent family, enjoying a life of luxury since childhood, so naturally, you don't have to worry about food and clothing. However, do you truly understand the real living conditions of those impoverished people?"
"Indeed, Her Highness comes from the common people. Perhaps in your eyes, her words and actions may seem a bit vulgar and rude. But in reality, this is the most authentic portrayal of the daily lives of ordinary people! Precisely because Her Highness was born among the common people, she has a deeper understanding and appreciation for the hardships and difficulties they face."
Situ Wanqing paused for a moment and then continued, "As people in high positions, every decision they make will directly affect the livelihoods and well-being of the people..."
"I'm afraid some of you don't know that the people of the northern regions were able to survive the long, cold winter last year safely thanks to the kang-sleeping method proposed by Her Highness the Crown Princess. Without Her Highness's good advice, I'm afraid many innocent lives would have frozen to death on the streets..."
"Throughout this harsh winter, not a single person froze to death. This would have been unimaginable in the past! When you sit comfortably in a room as warm as spring, enjoying the warmth brought by high-quality charcoal, have you ever thought about those who make a living selling charcoal?"
"They work so hard to make charcoal, but they won't even use a single piece themselves, just to sell it for a few more copper coins. To make a living, they would rather shiver in the bitter cold than give up any opportunity to make money. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg of the miserable lives of the poor people."
Situ Wanqing, who just turned fifteen after the Chinese New Year, has already revealed an extraordinary temperament.
Her expression was resolute, her gaze was as sharp as a torch, and her words were sonorous and powerful, her voice seeming to penetrate the entire Baohua Palace: "Although Your Highness has lived among the common people since childhood, it is precisely because of this unique experience of growing up among the common people that she understands the suffering endured by the people better than anyone else."
"Although Her Royal Highness now holds a high position, she always keeps the safety and well-being of the people in mind. This behavior is truly full of benevolence and justice, and can be said to be a great act!"
"Not only the kang, but Her Highness also invented the thresher, wind cabinet, bellows, hand-cranked well, cement, and other items. Each of these is a treasure that benefits the country and the people! Today, these inventions have been widely promoted within our country of Dalaifeng, greatly facilitating the lives of the people."
"It's no exaggeration to say that Her Royal Highness has made indelible contributions to promoting agricultural production, improving the efficiency of iron smelting and gold casting, and enriching the people and strengthening the military!"
Situ Wanqing's words echoed through the hall like morning bells and evening drums. The foreign envoys, who had originally intended to take advantage of the opportunity to ridicule and watch the fun, now had a new respect for the princess of Laifeng. Some of the more resourceful envoys were already thinking about how to persuade the emperor of Laifeng to allow them to come and learn these advanced technologies...
The subjects of Laifeng Kingdom, no matter which camp they were in, felt extremely proud at this moment under the envious gaze of envoys from other countries.
Situ Wanqing, taking in everyone's expressions, suppressed the upward curve of her lips and continued, "Furthermore, Her Highness the Crown Princess also opened a 'Jing Hua Yuan Snack Shop' among the people. Now, this unique shop has branches all over Laifeng Country."
"The delicacies there are so dazzling and mouth-watering that people even stay up all night queuing up to buy them. Isn't it a blessing for the people of Dalaifeng Kingdom to have such an intelligent, approachable, and kind-hearted princess?"
"Well said!" Prime Minister Situ Luoyun, who was standing next to Situ Wanqing, was so excited that he couldn't help but clap his hands in praise.
She suddenly stood up, her face solemn and righteous, and she shouted loudly: "Your Highness is kind-hearted and highly respected. You are truly a great blessing to the people of Laifeng! May Your Highness be blessed with great fortune and a long life! Live a thousand years! Live a thousand years! Live a thousand thousand years!"
Under the leadership of Situ Luoyun, General Feng Cailan followed closely behind and responded, "Long live Her Royal Highness! Long live! Thousands of thousands of years!"
For a moment, the crowd was filled with excitement, and everyone responded with a single call. The subjects of Laifeng Kingdom in Baohua Palace knelt on the ground, paying their highest respects to their beloved Princess, and shouted "Long Live Her!" in unison.
Even Xia Hou Jing, who originally had ill intentions and tried to take the opportunity to cause trouble, was helpless at this moment. She had to succumb to the pressure in front of everyone and kneel down to kowtow to Hua Qingcheng.
Hua Qingcheng, seated high above the main seat, first raised her eyebrows slightly at Situ Wanqing, a hint of a smile, then resumed her dignified demeanor and solemnly addressed the crowd, "Everyone, rise! Since I have been granted the throne of honor by Your Majesty, I must set an example, be cautious in my words and actions, and cultivate my moral character. Only then can I be worthy of this supreme position and live up to the support and admiration of the people."
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Everyone thanked her in unison.
Just like that, what was originally a malicious and ill-intentioned challenge turned into a great opportunity to build momentum for Hua Qingcheng and establish her image as a benevolent and kind princess who cares about the people's livelihood because of Situ Wanqing's clever change of topic.
At this moment, Situ Wanqing, who was teased by Hua Qingcheng with a raised eyebrow, couldn't help but blush on her originally fair and beautiful face.
Situ Wanqing muttered to herself, "This sister-in-law is really...really lovable! No wonder my brother is so devoted and loyal to her..."
Looking at Hua Qingcheng with a happy face, Xiahou Jing clenched her teeth and forced herself to suppress the anger in her heart.
She kept reminding herself to be patient. After all, she had endured all these years, so why bother enduring a little longer? If she could just drag out the banquet until the person she was waiting for arrived, then the person everyone in Baohua Palace would be paying homage to would be someone else...
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