Chapter 7

The title of “princess consort” began appearing more often in the Princess’s residence.

“Sister Lanxin, the princess consort’s breakfast has been delivered.”

“The weather is hot. The princess ordered more ice to be sent to the princess consort’s bedchamber.”

“Sister Lanxin, these are the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone the princess consort asked for.”

“…”

When the imperial decree conferring upon Su Lie the title of Marquis of a Thousand Households was delivered to the Su residence, Su Lie had just returned from the government office. After receiving the decree, the eunuch who announced it deliberately mentioned that the empress had considered how Su Yao, since marrying into the Princess’s residence, had conducted herself with restraint and propriety, fulfilling her duties wholeheartedly. The empress was deeply gratified by this. For the Su residence to have raised such a daughter was a meritorious deed.

Everyone in the Su residence was overjoyed. Only Madam Su’s reaction was thought-provoking. For two years, there had been no word from the palace at all. Now, this sudden decree granting a noble title did not seem like a reward. It seemed more like compensation.

But with so many eyes around right now, she could not show anything. Facing everyone’s congratulations, she only smiled.

After the eunuch left, Su Zhifeng grabbed Su Lie and said happily, “Eldest Brother, I never expected Yaoyao to have such fortune. Our Su residence can now be considered a marquis’s residence.”

“Yes, yes.” Su Changhuan also echoed, “Eldest Brother, on such a happy occasion today, why don’t we go to Dengque Tower to celebrate?”

“All right, everyone will go, everyone will go.” Su Lie was extremely happy. He only felt that the palace valued his daughter, bailiantales.comand the Su residence’s future would surely be smooth from now on.

“With such a happy matter, we should choose a day to hold a banquet and celebrate. We will not go to Dengque Tower today. Each of you is so happy you cannot even tell north from south anymore. I fear you will lose propriety, so be careful that disaster does not come from your mouths.” The old madam had, after all, experienced much of the world. Her reason had not yet been swept away.

The Su residence had always been a scholarly and respectable family, and its adherence to integrity could not be separated from the old madam’s cautious way of handling matters.

“We’ll listen to Mother. Then tonight, the three of us brothers will drink until we’re drunk,” Su Lie agreed.

But the second madam beside them could barely suppress the jealousy and resentment in her eyes. She nudged her daughter Su Ruoning with her elbow, signaling that if she did not speak now, when would she?

“Grandmother, Ning’er has a request.”

The smile at the corners of Old Madam Su’s lips faded somewhat. But mindful that so many people were present, she still asked, “What is it?”

“The empress’s birthday banquet is approaching. Uncle may bring one family member into the palace then. Could he bring me to broaden my horizons?” Su Ruoning spoke humbly, with a hint of pleading.

“Nonsense.” The old madam’s hoarse and stern voice sounded. “Where does that leave the first madam?”

“This…” Su Lie was momentarily troubled. Naturally, he wanted to bring his wife with him, but rejecting Su Ruoning directly in front of so many people might hurt the brotherly affection between him and his two younger brothers, and others might say he was petty.

“Father, go help me speak to Uncle.” Su Ruoning pulled on Su Zhifeng’s sleeve and acted spoiled. “Father, I really want to go.”

Then she looked toward Su Lie, her eyes brimming with tears, looking pitiful and lovely.

“Uncle, Ning’er may never have another chance in this lifetime to enter the palace and take a look. Today, Uncle has been granted a noble title. On such a joyous day, Uncle surely won’t refuse me, right?”

Seeing that Su Ruoning had already spoken to this extent, everyone could only look to see how Su Lie would respond.

“Ning’er, I will discuss this matter with your uncle later.” Madam Su spoke up and broke the deadlock before them. If Su Ruoning truly only wanted to broaden her horizons, that would be one thing. But if she harbored other intentions and ended up implicating Su Yao, Madam Su absolutely could not agree.

The third madam looked at Su Ruoning, who was crying prettily like a pear blossom in the rain, with a face full of disdain. She did not know the immensity of heaven and earth and only wanted to climb to a higher branch.

Su Zhifeng had one son and one daughter, and he had always spoiled Su Ruoning greatly. It was normal for a young girl to want to join in the excitement. He gently patted Su Ruoning’s hand.

“Ning’er, don’t make trouble.”

Then he instructed the steward, “Quickly prepare dinner. Tonight, I will drink with Eldest Brother until we’re drunk.”

After saying this, he pushed Su Lie toward the residence, turning back to give Su Ruoning a reassuring look.

Rong Yang sat in the carriage, her gaze falling on the street scenery flashing past outside the window.

The moment they entered the flower market, Rong Yang fell in love with that Xifu crabapple tree at first glance.

Although there were also several crabapple trees in the palace’s imperial garden, none were [stolen content]as stunning as the one before her.

“After several nights of rain, its fragrance still remains; dyed fully in rouge, no painting could capture it.”

From a distance, that crabapple tree looked like layers of crimson clouds, adding a dreamlike touch of color to the bustling market.

For such a beautiful crabapple tree, there were naturally many people fighting over it.

Rong Yang had already scared off a large group of people with money, but there were still a few who were not short of silver…

In the end, with no other choice, Rong Yang brought out the most useful thing: her status. She had Chunxi deliberately say that she was the Third Princess. She did not want such a showy and attention-seeking matter to be placed on her own head.

Surely no one in the capital would be willing to make an enemy of a princess, right?

Sure enough, the few people who had been loudly declaring that they would spend a thousand gold fell silent.

Just when Rong Yang thought she could take it, she had not expected that there really was someone in the capital who did not fear the imperial family.

“Wait.”

Following the sound, she looked over and saw a woman with bright, lively eyes and a rather delicate appearance striding over. However, the most attractive thing about her was the heroic and valiant aura around her. One glance was enough to tell that she had practiced martial arts.

“Rong Yang, I want this tree!”

Who was this person? She knew me and still dared to fight me for it.

Rong Yang looked at that face and recalled for a long while. It was somewhat familiar. Calmly, she said, “You?”

“What? You don’t remember me?” Lin Wei said angrily. “Three months ago, you came to me and said Qianqian was unwilling to see you, asking me to deliver her birthday gift for you.”

Qianqian? That Li Qianqian!

Rong Yang had almost thrown this person to the back of her mind. The original owner’s childhood sweetheart, the white moonlight she loved but could never obtain!

But… the original owner liked her. Rong Yang did not. What did that have to do with her?

No matter who came, she would not give up this Xifu crabapple tree!

Seeing Rong Yang’s expression change slightly, Lin Wei thought she had agreed. “I did deliver that gift for you. Don’t you owe me a favor?”

As she spoke, she waved for people to come move the tree.

“Wait. I never said I would give it to you.” Rong Yang’s expression was faint. Her coldness and nobility seemed completely natural.

“You’re burning the bridge after crossing it?” Lin Wei met Rong Yang’s gaze without fear.

“Do you not understand first come, first served?” Rong Yang’s face darkened, looking determined to obtain it.

“Last time, you begged me to help you,” Lin Wei said sharply.

“So what?” Rong Yang signaled for Chunxi to act.

Seeing that being forceful would not work, Lin Wei’s eyes flashed. “I know that in a few days, Qianqian is going somewhere. If you go, you will definitely run into her.”

“Give me the tree, and I can tell you.”

Rong Yang sneered inwardly and swept her gaze over the watching crowd. “Why don’t you tell them and see whether they will give up a crabapple tree to you?”

Lin Wei was stunned.

By the time she came back to herself, Rong Yang was already sitting in the carriage. Did she not understand what I said?

“Chunxi, who is that?” Rong Yang asked doubtfully. She really did not want to recall this kind of unimportant character.

“Princess, she is Lin Wei, the legitimate daughter of the Zhenyuan General’s residence,” Chunxi answered truthfully.

“The legitimate daughter [stolen content]of a general’s residence dares to speak to me like that?” Rong Yang was somewhat surprised.

“Although it is a general’s residence, General Zhenyuan pacified the realm and has illustrious military achievements. The emperor values him greatly. Even the children of the general’s residence were granted special permission from childhood to enter and leave the palace freely, and they became study companions to the princes and princesses when they were young.”

“So that’s how it is.” No wonder Rong Yang did not have much impression of her. The original owner had disliked studying since childhood and had only gone to the palace study room a handful of times in total.

“Also…” Chunxi hesitated.

“Just say it. Why are you stammering?” Rong Yang rested her chin on one hand and leaned by the carriage window.

“Also, she and Miss Li Qianqian have a close relationship…”

This Li Qianqian—Rong Yang thought about her carefully. The book had written that the original owner liked her because, during a palace banquet when they were children, the original owner quarreled with other children and was pushed to the ground. At that time, Li Qianqian helped her up and even helped her teach those children a lesson.

The first signs of a love brain had appeared…

The original owner gave the little gentleness and patience she had to Li Qianqian. Later, after the two of them each differentiated, Rong Yang became a Qianyuan and Li Qianqian became a Kunze. By logic, they should have achieved a happy ending.

But in truth, Li Qianqian was not as the original owner imagined, not her childhood sweetheart with mutual affection.

What Li Qianqian liked was a superior person who was resourceful, elegant, courteous, and able to plan and control everything—not someone like the original owner, who was paranoid, violent, arrogant, rude, and idle.

Because Rong Yang was a princess, and because Rong Yang gave her enough and was utterly devoted to her, Li ​unauthorized copy​Qianqian neither agreed to anything nor refused anything…

Later, when the imperial decree for the bestowed marriage came down, Rong Yang went to find Li Qianqian, wanting to take her and run far away.

After Li Qianqian listened, she felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Finally, she had a proper and justified reason to draw a clear line with this woman.

The original owner blamed the reason Li Qianqian cut ties with her on her marriage to Su Yao, never knowing that the other party had long wanted to find an excuse to get rid of her.

In summary… you deserve better…