"This matter is peculiar. I heard from the wet nurse that the orphan girl is not ordinary. Have the wet nurse send someone to investigate her background thoroughly. Remember, investigate every detail. The people in this manor are my kin and my support. I cannot bear to see any harm befall them," Noble Consort An said with a serious expression. Da Feng Novel Network
Wet Nurse Gu nodded, "Your servant understands. I plan to entrust this matter to the Crown Prince's people for the Empress. This matter, your servant believes, should not be kept from the Crown Prince. Your servant has roughly considered it, and that orphan girl likely harbors feelings for the Crown Prince. After all, someone as distinguished and handsome as the Crown Prince easily attracts a woman's favor."
Noble Consort An nodded, "What you say is not impossible. Proceed as you suggested and assign it to Ah Nian's people to investigate. This way, it's also equivalent to informing Ah Nian about this matter. He has met Xu Miaoniang more often, and perhaps he knows something we don't. In any case, we must pay more attention to everything in the manor to avoid any mishaps. As for my elder brother, there's no need to deliberately inform him. Years ago, his heart was already captured by Dong Ningwan, and now he has also taken Dong Ningxin as a concubine. His heart is filled with people related to Dong Ningwan, so how could he care about these people?"
"Oh, right. Send some beautifully patterned fabrics to Zhenzhen, and select a few exquisite pieces of jewelry to send along with them. Instruct Wet Nurse Gao to stay by Zhenzhen's side from now on and to offer her guidance when encountering any unpleasantness. The Protector Duke's manor appears peaceful on the surface, but once you go there, who knows what chaos might ensue. My sister-in-law's temperament is ultimately too gentle, and I fear she may not be able to protect Zhenzhen," Noble Consort An added after some thought.
Wet Nurse Gu acknowledged each point, "Your Highness, rest assured."
"Wait a moment. Send someone to the Emperor's residence. Zhenzhen is sensible and did not ask for any rewards, so it is only right that the Emperor bestow some small trinkets upon her," Noble Consort An recalled this matter.
The imperial rewards arrived swiftly. The eunuch who came to deliver the imperial decree also conveyed the Emperor's wish for the entire manor to come out and receive the rewards together. Thus, even Concubine Xiang, who had been feigning illness and confined to her courtyard, made an appearance.
Several fashionable bolts of fabric, a few sets of jewelry crafted by the Imperial Household Department, and several boxes of various gemstones and pearls from foreign tribute. Among these, the most eye-catching were a pair of Yin-Yang fish jade pendants, delicate and warm, with a clean base. Most importantly, their color was exceptionally vibrant, like flowing clear water.
Overall, the rewards were not lavish.
However, the sentiment conveyed was profound. The Emperor and Noble Consort An were clearly showing their support for Qi Zhenzhen. Her audience for thanks was in the palace, and the rewards could have been given there. The fact that they went to such trouble meant that everyone understood the intentions of these two figures in the palace.
Qi Tianming was beaming, chatting with the eunuch who delivered the decree. He was always adept at socializing and, within a few sentences, had the eunuch overjoyed. He praised Qi Zhenzhen profusely and mentioned that these were the wishes of the two imperial figures. Qi Tianming's regard for Qi Zhenzhen grew even stronger, and he felt that the children born to Yun Shi were exactly to his liking in every way.
Where there is joy, there is also sorrow.
Madam Xiao Qin and Qi Mingzhu wore cold expressions. How could they be happy about such honor bestowed upon a庶女 (daughter of a concubine)? Someone they had previously disregarded was now so outstanding. Qi Mingzhu even thought of her engagement to the Lu family. Although she was now engaged to Lu Chen, the thought that Qi Zhenzhen was originally meant to be engaged to Lu Chen made her resentful.
Why? She was the嫡女 (daughter of the principal wife) of the Marquis's manor, and she should be the one in the spotlight. How could Qi Zhenzhen, a庶女 who came from the dirt, be so fortunate as to enjoy all of this?