"The little princess's first birthday banquet has ended. It is now late. His Majesty has ordered this old minister to arrange accommodations for Consort Nan. If Consort Nan needs anything, or if the servants have failed to provide adequate care, Consort Nan may simply give the word."
"Thank you, Lord Ge."
"Yun Jin, quickly thank Lord Ge." Miao Nanyan looked at Yun Jin and gave her a wink.
Yun Jin took out a small sandalwood box, which was exquisitely decorated with tiny white seed beads. Yun Jin presented the box to Ge Tiancheng with both hands.
"Oh dear, that won't do!" Ge Tiancheng quickly waved his hand to politely decline.
"I've troubled you during my time in the palace, Lord Ge. This box contains only a local specialty from Beiliang. I hope you won't find it offensive," Miao Nanyan said gently.
"Then this old minister thanks Your Highness, Consort Nan." Ge Tiancheng took the sandalwood box and stuffed it into his sleeve.
"Lord Ge, this is a congratulatory gift from our king to the Emperor of Nanyang and the little princess."
Xiangling took out two boxes and placed them on the table. The boxes were one large and one small, and their styles were also different.
The large box is an ebony box with gilded peach blossoms and intertwined branches. The box is rectangular, long and tall.
The small box is made of sandalwood, and the four sides of the box are inlaid with an even number of purple crystals, which is very beautiful.
Miao Nanyan opened the box and introduced it to Ge Tiancheng, "Lord Ge, this is a tea set. I have heard that your country has a habit of drinking tea, so His Majesty personally prepared this tea set to present to the Emperor of Nanyang."
"Wow, this tea set is really beautiful." Ge Tiancheng nodded in praise. He wanted to go forward and touch the tea set, but in the end he withdrew his hand.
"These are four hairpins, crafted according to the characteristics of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, symbolizing that the little princess will safely pass through each of the four seasons." After explaining the meaning of the gift, Miao Nanyan closed the box and pushed it in front of Ge Tiancheng.
"Today is the first birthday celebration, so I thought it would be best to give the gift today."
"Oh, Consort Nan is so thoughtful. I will present this gift to His Majesty right away." Ge Tiancheng picked up the two boxes and prepared to leave.
"Thank you very much, sir. I'm grateful for your help."
"Your Highness, Consort Nan, please get some rest."
Watching Ge Tiancheng leave the residence, Yun Jin reluctantly tugged at Miao Nanyan's sleeve, "Your Majesty, we don't have much money to begin with, and we even gave Lord Ge the jade thumb rings that we brought from Hongxiu, which are unique to Hongxiu."
"In my opinion, that Lord Ge doesn't seem like someone who can ride a horse or shoot an arrow. He has no use for this jade thumb ring!" Yun Jin pouted, still thinking about the gift she had given away, and felt a pang of regret.
"You!" Miao Nanyan gently poked Yun Jin's head.
"We'll be staying here for a few more days, and we won't leave until we've seen the little princess."
"I need to trouble Lord Ge to arrange our food, clothing, daily necessities, and manpower these days."
"Besides, we are in someone else's palace, neither Hongxiu nor Beiliang. If we say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing, who knows what terrible consequences await us."
“When you’re traveling, you’ll inevitably have to spend more money on errands,” Miao Nanyan explained. Yun Jin nodded as if she understood, while Xiang Ling went to make the bedding and prepare to help Miao Nanyan go to sleep.
...
Early the next morning, Empress Dowager Wang Fengru of the Shu Kingdom, along with her granddaughters Lianxiang, Lianqiao, and Lianrong, her grandson Lian Jiucheng, and the eldest princess Lian Qingcheng, entered the capital through the south gate in a grand procession.
"Pot, pot, look, we've arrived! This is Nanyang!" Lianrong excitedly tugged at Lian Jiucheng's sleeve, pointing to the scenery outside.
"Hey little sister, when will you be able to speak properly? If you can't, just call me Imperial Brother. Every time you call me 'brother,' you call me 'pot.' How am I supposed to put my face like that?" Lian Jiucheng looked down at Lian Rong.
"Alright, you little devils, be quiet. This carriage is already crowded, and you keep chattering away, it's making everyone anxious." Princess Lian Qingcheng gently tapped Lian Rong's head.
“Your Highness is right. We’ve come to Nanyang, and this place is not like Shu. We need to be careful what we say and do.” Lianxiang nodded in agreement. She also felt that her two younger sisters had been too noisy on the way here.
"Big sister, don't you think it's really cool in Nanyang? It's not hot at all, and the breeze is so refreshing." Lianqiao had brought a large palm-leaf fan with her when she came from Shu, but it seems she doesn't need it now.
"Once we arrive at the Nanyang Imperial Palace, you all will go with the nanny to settle in. I need to see someone first." Empress Dowager Wang Fengru of Shu Kingdom, who had been resting with her eyes closed, began to make arrangements upon hearing that they had entered the city gates.
"Grandmother, rest assured, your grandson will take good care of my sisters!" Lian Jiucheng patted his chest and assured her.
...
In the Nanyang Imperial Palace, the Empress Dowager went to Fushuang Palace early in the morning to see Yun Duoduo.
"How is Duoduo? Let me see her quickly." The Empress Dowager hurried to Yun Duoduo's bedside with concern and examined her carefully.
"Empress Dowager, Duoduo is alright."
"Don't worry," Yun Duoduo comforted the Empress Dowager in her childish voice, concerned that her grandmother might harm her health by overthinking.
"Your Majesty, this morning, I fed the little princess the medicine given by Prince Ning. She should be fine now," Ah Xiang said, bowing.
"Oh, what's the third prince doing here?" The Empress Dowager was relieved to see that Yun Duoduo's complexion had gradually regained its rosy hue.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a chubby figure in the corner.
It was none other than the Third Prince, Yun Yishu, who was currently dozing off at the foot of the bed.
"I heard that last night, the Third Prince knelt at the entrance of His Majesty's Zichen Palace all night, saying that he wanted to stay by the little princess's side day and night to protect her safety, and also to atone for her mother's sins," Ah Xiang explained from the side.
"If His Majesty does not agree, the Third Prince will remain kneeling."
"Oh, this poor child," the Empress Dowager sighed.
"It's not good for him to be lying like this. Go and have someone bring in a soft couch later," the Empress Dowager instructed.
"Yes, I've got it. I'm also thinking of having the Third Prince stay in the side hall or adding a soft couch to his bedchamber." Ah Xiang turned around and looked at the space inside the bedchamber.
"Your Majesty, the guards at the city gate have reported that the Empress Dowager of Shu and her entourage have arrived in the capital." Someone rushed in from the palace gate to report.
"Really?!" The Empress Dowager was overjoyed upon hearing this, her face beaming with smiles.
"Oh dear, that old hag, she didn't come yesterday. I thought she was too old to walk anymore and wouldn't come!"
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