Chapter 29: Centennial Ginseng
Only then did she realize that she had underestimated the enemy.
This Song Qingyuan is not a dodder that clings to its master at all, but a rose with thorns. It looks beautiful, but if you reach out and touch it, it will prick you.
【Wow! Master, you are amazing! 】
Tianbao reacted belatedly
[So she's not a good person! Master, you've silenced her with just three sentences! The Queen is mighty!]
Song Qingyuan didn't have time to pay attention to it. She just looked at Aunt Cui calmly, waiting for her reaction.
Zi Su, who was standing by, also had a hint of admiration in her eyes.
She quietly took a half step back and completely handed the home court to Song Qingyuan.
She knew that this new master didn't need her to say anything.
After all, Aunt Cui was a smart person, and her stiffness only lasted for a moment.
She immediately put on a smile again, but that smile could no longer reach her eyes.
"Oh, look at this old slave's memory. Yes, yes, yes, the young lady is right. I was impatient and offended the young lady."
She walked down the steps and swiftly had the maid cover the tray again. "But please understand the princess's thoughtfulness. I'll leave these things here for now, as a gift from the princess to my younger sister."
When the imperial edict comes down, the princess will personally make up for the formal gift."
She lowered her posture and called her "sister" all the time, as if the previous show of power had never happened.
Having said that, if Song Qingyuan continues to refuse, he would seem petty and ungrateful.
"In that case, please thank the Princess for me." Song Qingyuan nodded, then turned to Tingzhu, "Tingzhu, please see Madam Cui off for me.
Also, take that old ginseng from my makeup box and give it to Madam. Tell her it's a little gift from me and it'll help her stay healthy."
That old mountain ginseng was the one that Chen Yanzhi got as a reward last time. It is over a hundred years old and worth a fortune.
Nanny Cui came to demonstrate, but Song Qingyuan rewarded her with a hundred-year-old ginseng.
This time, the difference is clear.
Aunt Cui's face turned red and white, which was a wonderful sight.
If he accepted it, he would admit that his status was inferior to Song Qingyuan's; if he didn't accept it, he would offend the future concubine.
In the end, she gritted her teeth, took the brocade box containing ginseng from Tingzhu, and almost fled.
Looking at the embarrassed back of Matron Cui, Tianbao was overjoyed.
[Master, Master! That's an amazing move! Is this what you call 'reverse reward'? Look at that old hag, her face has turned green! Hahahaha!]
But Song Qingyuan couldn't laugh.
She walked to the window and looked at the gold, silver and jewelry on the two trays with a deep look in her eyes.
Cui Jingyue's move seemed to be resolved by her, but in fact it would cause endless troubles.
By accepting these things, she was tacitly agreeing to Cui Jingyue's statement that they were "sisters".
If Cui Jingyue came to "teach" her as her "sister" in the future, she would lose the opportunity to refute.
Moreover, these things are so ostentatious that they will soon spread throughout the palace.
Everyone would say that the new favorite, Song, not only won the favor of the prince, but even the jealous princess treated her with courtesy and took the initiative to show her goodwill.
Praise to death.
Those words that Madam Cui said before she left were indeed not groundless.
Cui Jingyue wanted to praise her highly and make her the target of public criticism.
【Master, what are you thinking about? 】
Tianbao asked puzzledly
"We won, why are you still looking so sad?"
"We didn't win." Song Qingyuan said softly, "We just jumped from a glaring trap into another trap that looks more gorgeous."
As soon as she finished speaking, there was a sudden sound of orderly footsteps outside the courtyard, along with the eunuch's unique shrill voice.
"The imperial edict has arrived—"
This sound was like thunder coming out of nowhere, making the entire Qingyuan Pavilion quiet in an instant.
Song Qingyuan's heart trembled.
What is coming will eventually come.
She straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, and walked out of the house surrounded by Tingzhu and others. She slowly knelt down towards the eunuch who was delivering the imperial decree in the courtyard.
She recognized the eunuch in the lead; it was Eunuch Li, the most favored eunuch by the emperor's side.
The fact that he was allowed to come in person to deliver the imperial edict showed how much Shen Yanzhi had spent talking to the emperor.
Eunuch Li unfolded the bright yellow imperial edict in his hand and read aloud:
"By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: I have heard that Song Qingyuan of the Prince of Yu's household is intelligent, prudent, gentle, and respectful, and well-versed in etiquette, and is hereby appointed as the Consort of the Prince of Jing'an.
I grant you the golden book and the imperial seal.
Just a few words, each word is of great significance.
Song Qingyuan kowtowed, her voice calm and unwavering: "Your servant Song Qingyuan, thank you for your grace."
When she raised her head and took the heavy imperial edict, she knew that from this moment on, there was no turning back.
The words "Prince Jing'an" were forever engraved in front of her name.
Her path to becoming a queen was destined to involve fighting her way through this deep palace.
After Eunuch Li finished reading the imperial edict, a smile immediately spread across his face. He stepped forward and gave her a small helping hand: "Hey, Concubine Song, please stand up quickly. Congratulations, Concubine Song, congratulations, Concubine Song!"
"Thank you, eunuch." Song Qingyuan unnoticeably stuffed a purse that had been prepared long ago into Eunuch Li's hand.
Eunuch Li weighed the item and the smile on his face became three times more genuine.
He took a step closer and lowered his voice, "Concubine, the prince is still in the palace, playing chess with the emperor. The emperor said that the prince should finish playing chess before leaving the palace. Our prince is in the emperor's good graces!"
Song Qingyuan's heart moved.
Play chess with the emperor?
This may seem like a favor, but in fact it is also a warning.
The emperor was telling Shen Yanzhi: I know what you're thinking. I can give you what you want, but you must also remember your duty and not lose your composure because of a woman.
The emperor's mind is indeed unfathomable.
After seeing off Eunuch Li, the servants of Qingyuan Pavilion all knelt on the ground, shouting like thunder and lightning: "Congratulations, Concubine! Congratulations, Concubine!"
Song Qingyuan looked at the scene in front of him, but he didn't feel any joy in his heart.
She just felt that the shackles around her neck became a little heavier.
[Master, Master! We are concubines now! Quickly open the World Store and see if you have unlocked anything new?] Tianbao's voice sounded at the right time, breaking her thoughts.
Song Qingyuan's heart moved slightly, and his consciousness sank into his mind.
A golden interface, similar to an online shopping platform, unfolded before her eyes.
The interface is full of items, divided into several areas: [Beauty and Dress-up], [Elixir], [Rare Treasures], [Skill Cards]...
However, most of the products are gray, showing "insufficient points" or "authorization not unlocked".
Only one area is lit.
【Newbie gift pack】.
[Ding! Detected that the owner has successfully been promoted, taking the first step on the road to becoming a queen. A special reward is a newbie gift pack! Do you want to open it now?]
Song Qingyuan said without hesitation: "Open it."
A flash of gorgeous special effects passed by, and an exquisite gift box opened in front of her.
Three things lay quietly inside.
A card, a porcelain bottle, and... a bag of seeds?
[Congratulations to the owner for receiving a 'Photographic Memory' Trial Card (valid for one hour)!]
[Congratulations to the owner for receiving three 'Bai Hua Yu Lu Pills'! (Benefits: Clears heat and detoxifies, nourishes the skin and strengthens the body, can detoxify hundreds of common toxins)]
[Congratulations to the owner for receiving a pack of 'Cotton' seeds!]
Song Qingyuan's attention was instantly attracted by the packet of seeds.
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