Chapter 286 (2/2)

Xuan Tian Ge nodded, “Right, after three years, this is the first. I must see what they have brought after saving up for three years.”

While they were chatting, the eldest princess of Qian Zhou handed the list of gifts to a palace servant then said to the Emperor: “Qian Zhou is covered by ice and snow through the entire year. It truly cannot compare to the fertile soil of Da Shun, and it can not even be compared to the lands of Zong Sui. That’s why the amount of tribute is a bit lacking. I hope your Majesty will not mind.”

When she spoke, her tone was very controlled. It was not toadied, nor was it humble. It was very calm, as though she were talking about the mundane happenings of daily life.

To be honest, aside from the four bolts of moon palace silk, the gift list really was not much to look at. Compared to Zong Sui, it was much worse. But the Emperor understood what eldest princess Kang Yi had said. The North could not be compared to the East. It snowed through the entire year in Qian Zhou. It was difficult to even plant crops, so how could there be a large number of things. Moreover, it was a woman that had come, and she was a caring and polite person. What could he possibly say to argue with her?

Thus he revealed a smile: “There’s no harm done. Being able to produce this much is truly relieving.”

Once he said this, princess Ru Jia, who had been staying silent and standing next to Kang Yi, suddenly raised her voice and said: “Mother, look. I told you that the Emperor of Da Shun would not argue over such little things! Really, I told you to leave a bolt of moon palace silk for Jun’er, but you wouldn’t do it.”

“Oh?” The Emperor chuckled and looked at princess Ru Jia then asked: “You want moon palace silk?”

Ru Jia nodded: “That’s right! That thing is very rare. When a bolt is finally made with great difficulty, it must be sent to Da Shun. We, ourselves, have never worn any clothes made of moon palace silk.”

Kang Yi’s face was filled with anger, as she scolded her: “What nonsense are you spouting? Quickly shut your mouth!” She then bowed to the Emperor, “This young girl is naughty and unruly. It was Kang Yi’s fault for her poor upbringing. I request your Majesty not blame her.”

“Ah!” The Emperor waved his hand, “A young child having a quick temper is normal. There is no need to lecture her. As We see it, Ru Jia’s temper is very straightforward. You want moon palace silk, right? Good! Then We will gift you one bolt! Oh, no, two bolts!”

“Really?” Ru Jia’s eyes were lighting up.

The Emperor nodded: “A monarch does not joke.”

“That’s great!” Ru Jia had practically begun bouncing, “Mother, look. How great is the Emperor of Da Shun. He’s even easier to talk to than uncle Emperor!”

He was a little too easy-going. Even Feng Yu Heng felt that the Emperor was a little too easy-going when faced with these two princesses. Although it was just two bolts of moon palace silk, it had to be known that this was not a normal reward.

She looked towards the Empress’ side and saw that all of the imperial concubines had bitter expressions. Their unwillingness and envy were written all over their faces.

“What is happening with the Emperor?” She looked over at Xuan Tian Ge, “I keep feeling that his mood is off.”

“Hah.” She heard Xuan Tian Ge sigh, “Previously, I had an aunt. She was out Da Shun’s eldest princess. This was something my imperial father brought up. Because I was too young at the time, not even three years old, I could not even remember what my aunt looked like. But my imperial father said that my aunt was the elder sister of him and uncle Emperor, and she doted on both of them. From a young age, grandfather Emperor was very busy, so they were taken care of by my aunt. But later on, aunty got married to a person, and grandfather Emperor did not agree, so he crippled that person. But aunty still wanted to marry that person, so there was nothing grandfather Emperor could do but demote aunty to a commoner to allow her to marry that person. But after they were wed, because that person had been beaten too severely, he passed away before three months passed. With the family being just aunty on her own, she became depressed and also passed away a year later. As for this eldest princess from Qian Zhou, she apparently has a similar story to aunty and her husband. Thinking about it, uncle Emperor must have thought of aunty when he saw this eldest princess.”

Feng Yu Heng looked at the eldest princess once more, she originally had reservations about the joke bet between Xuan Tian Ge and Ren Xi Feng, but now that she had heard this story, she firmly believed that Ren Xi Feng would definitely lose.

Having a princess with a similar story to the eldest princess of Da Shun come as the special envoy to Da Shun, she definitely did not believe it was a coincidence. Just looking at how the Emperor looked at the eldest princess with a complicated expression then casually gave away two bolts of moon palace silk, Qian Zhou had played this move very well.

“But I don’t know what she will set her sights on.” She looked at Xuan Tian Ge, “Take a guess. If it’s as you say, and she’s hiding evil intentions, where will she try to grab?”

Xuan Tian Ge pondered for a long time but shook her head, “I don’t know. A-Heng, you know that I am not good at these things. How about you talk about it?”

She suddenly began smiling, “I would guess that there is a chance that hand will reach towards my family.”

Sure enough, the young princess that had received the moon palace silk was extremely happy. Princess Kang Yi then said: “Coming to Da Shun this time, Kang Yi was also entrusted with something by brother Emperor. I must personally thank one of Da Shun’s officials for his grace.”

“Oh?” The Emperor asked her: “Which one would that be?”

Kang Yi replied: “The prime minister of Da Shun, Feng Jin Yuan, Lord Feng.”

Feng Yu Heng shrugged. Bullseye!

1: Different from the surname of Fung Tian Yu.