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Chapter 437: The Precious Pig Enters the Palace, A Grand Scheme
Chapter 437: The Precious Pig Enters the Palace, A Grand Scheme
At the Crown Prince's Mansion.
Dou Qingyi was sitting in front of her dressing table, selecting earrings for the day.
A maid stood behind her, styling her hair into a bun.
As she combed, the maid said, "Madam, I heard that His Majesty summoned the Marquis and that person to the palace, and Master Ziwu also went."
Dou Qingyi picked up a pair of golden earrings and tried them on, feeling they didn't quite suit her. She put them down and picked up a pair of emerald-studded earrings, "It's good that he went. His Majesty is testing their abilities."
The maid said sarcastically, "I heard from the people in the main courtyard that he does nothing but eat and play all day, occasionally reading useless books. He is truly uneducated and unskilled. Comparing him to our Marquis in terms of abilities, he will surely lose face today."
Dou Qingyi smiled faintly, "He doesn't need to inherit the empire, so it doesn't matter if he doesn't study. Being a carefree young master is also a happy life."
The maid sighed, "But it's a pity for our Marquis, who will have to support such a brother in the future."
Dou Qingyi wasn't entirely satisfied with the emerald earrings either, so she picked up a pair with pearl tassels, "He's just a brother. If he needs to be supported, then so be it."
It would be better if he were truly a good-for-nothing. Fighting for favor wouldn't be a problem, and if he's not competent, he won't threaten Qi Er's position.
The maid added, "Madam, I heard that His Majesty wants to keep that person in the palace for a few days. Our Marquis has never stayed in the palace before, why should he?"
Dou Qingyi replied, "He's going to the palace to recover from his illness, and His Majesty will be at ease. It's a good thing."
Isn't it a good thing?
That boy has been monopolizing the Crown Prince, leaving her no chance to be intimate with her husband.
Starting today, she can finally have some peace.
She can also stay in the Crown Prince's chambers.
Men and women are simple creatures; to capture a man's heart, one must first monopolize all his affections.
Finally, Dou Qingyi found a pair of earrings she liked.
The maid finished styling her hair into a bun and adorned Dou Qingyi with a gold hairpin with pearls, along with the pearl tassel earrings, making her beauty indescribable.
"Madam, you are so beautiful, like a celestial fairy. I've never seen a woman more beautiful than you."
These words were not entirely flattery.
Dou Qingyi was indeed beautiful, and although she was no longer a young girl, she exuded a mature charm, a different kind of inner beauty.
Just then, a servant's voice came from outside, "Madam, Eunuch Zhen from the Internal Affairs Office is here."
Eunuch Zhen was the head of the Internal Affairs Office, and his last visit was regarding the appointment of Lu Qi as the Marquis.
Dou Qingyi felt that something good was about to happen, and a hint of joy appeared in her eyes. She called out to the servant outside, "Please invite him in quickly!"
"Yes, madam."
The servant went out and invited Eunuch Zhen into Dou Qingyi's courtyard.
Normally, no outsider was allowed to enter the inner quarters of the Crown Prince's Mansion, but Eunuch Zhen, being a eunuch, was an exception to this rule.
Eunuch Zhen entered the room with a smile, holding a Buddhist dust whisk and bowing to Dou Qingyi, "This servant greets the Madam."
As the head of the Internal Affairs Office, Eunuch Zhen held an official rank, while Dou Qingyi did not have an official title. The reason for his politeness was due to her son's status.
However, Dou Qingyi noticed that Eunuch Zhen was being even more polite to her than usual.
She paused and asked with a smile, "Eunuch Zhen, please don't be so formal. What brings you here today? Does His Majesty have any instructions?"
Eunuch Zhen smiled and said, "I'm here to take your measurements for custom-made clothing, and also to bring you some good news in advance."
Dou Qingyi's eyelashes trembled, suppressing her excitement, and she asked, feigning ignorance, "What good news?"
Eunuch Zhen smiled mysteriously, "The State Tutor mentioned the matter of appointing a Crown Princess during the court session, and His Majesty agreed. After the session, he summoned the Minister of Rites, the Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Academy, and several cabinet ministers to the Imperial Study. It is said that the decision has been made, and the Crown Prince has also been summoned to the palace. By my calculations, the imperial edict appointing the Crown Princess should be on its way here."
As he spoke, he waved to a young eunuch outside the door.
The young eunuch entered the room carrying a brocade box.
Eunuch Zhen presented the box to Dou Qingyi with both hands, "Please accept this, Crown Princess."
Hearing the title 'Crown Princess', Dou Qingyi's heart filled with joy.
After waiting for so long, this day had finally arrived.
She was about to become the mistress of the Crown Prince's Mansion, standing side by side with the Crown Prince and ruling over the empire.
"Congratulations, Madam!"
The maid quickly knelt down, showing her wit, "Congratulations, Crown Princess!"
Dou Qingyi's gaze fell upon the round and lustrous pearls, her heart pounding.
She was so excited that her hands were slightly trembling.
Taking a few deep breaths, she calmed her racing heart and asked in a steady tone, "Eunuch Zhen, since the imperial edict has not yet arrived, isn't it a bit early to call me Crown Princess? Let's wait until the edict arrives before discussing this further."
Eunuch Zhen smiled, "Crown Princess, please rest assured. I wouldn't dare to make you happy prematurely without absolute certainty."
When it came to the most well-informed people in the palace, one was Eunuch Yu, who was close to His Majesty, and the other was Eunuch Zhen. Even the head eunuch in the Empress's palace was slightly less informed.
Eunuch Zhen had personally heard His Majesty issue the edict in the Imperial Study.
He had come early to congratulate the Crown Princess in the hope of gaining her favor and becoming the next head eunuch.
Why would he jeopardize his future by offending the Crown Princess?
Dou Qingyi understood Eunuch Zhen's intentions.
The Crown Prince seemed gentle and easy to talk to, but in reality, no one could easily manipulate him.
If Eunuch Zhen wanted to rise higher in the palace, he would need Dou Qingyi's help to influence the Crown Prince.
The Empress smiled and said, "Zhen Zongguan, from now on, we are family."
The Liang Emperor summoned Lu Zhaoyan, and even though he was his own son, he dared not delay. He immediately set off for the palace.
Along the way, the little one was well-behaved and didn't make a fuss.
Just a moment ago, she was licking a sugar-coated hawthorn, but when Lu Zhaoyan looked over, she was already fast asleep, sprawled out with the hawthorn in her hand.
Her cheeks were plump and rosy, her eyelashes long, and her chubby little hands were soft and inviting.
Her hands and mouth were covered in sticky sugar residue.
Lu Zhaoyan took a clean handkerchief, dipped it in warm tea, and gently wiped the little one's face clean.
Not only did the child not shy away from him, but she also crawled onto his lap, snuggled into his embrace, and continued to sleep with her little feet kicking in the air.
A soft warmth filled the Crown Prince's heart.
This was something his own son couldn't give him.
The little one seemed to be dreaming of delicious food, as her little mouth sucked and smacked in her sleep.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness!"
Ji Feng called out several times.
The Crown Prince snapped out of his thoughts and shifted his gaze from the little one's face, asking indifferently, "What is it?"
"We've arrived," Ji Feng replied.
They had been traveling for quite some time, and Ji Feng was waiting for his master to get off the carriage. But instead, his master was smiling like a fool at a little one who had joined them midway through the journey.
Lu Zhaoyan seemed to have heard Ji Feng's thoughts and glanced at him, "You won't be getting your monthly allowance this month."
Ji Feng: "..."
Lu Zhaoyan got off the carriage, holding the sleeping child.
(End of Chapter)
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