iiChapter 771 - The Empress’ Gift (1/2)
The Lu family had just received the gift that the eighth prince had asked Xuan Tian Ming to deliver. Suddenly hearing that the Empress had rewarded them with something, they were dazed for a moment. The three stood in place while looking at each other. Nobody could understand what was going on. It was Ge shi that was the first to ask: “It feels like Her Highness the Empress has never treated our Lu family particularly well? Why would she suddenly send something?”
Lu Song furrowed his brows but did not speak. Lu Yan, however, expressed her own thoughts: “There isn’t anything strange about it. The Empress is the master of the inner palace. Father is the prime minister of the court, and our family does not have anyone in the palace. In the past, it was natural that we could not have any relationship with the Empress. It’s not like she would curry favor with the prime minister. But now, things are different. Daughter and His Highness the eighth prince’s marriage has been determined. It seems that His Majesty will personally sanction the marriage at the new year. As the master of the inner palace, it’s natural that the Empress must express herself.”
Lu Yan’s analysis was reasonable, and Ge shi expressed her approval upon hearing it by repeatedly nodding. Lu Song did not have much to say, and the housekeeper was already hurrying them from the side, as the person outside was still waiting, thus they quickly arranged for that person to be brought inside.
With the manor’s gates opened, a mighty group of palace maids and eunuchs entered. They all held something in their hands. There were bolts of silks and satins, and there were boxes of accessories. The sight of this caused Lu Yan’s eyes to stare straight ahead. Since being suppressed by the Yao family, the Lu family had already lost all of its businesses on the outside, thus they were given a sudden feeling as if they had made a step towards a resurgence.
It had to be said that the impact these nice things had could not affect Lu Song, but the head palace maid that brought these things caused Lu Song to feel overwhelmed by unexpected favor. Upon seeing who had come, even if he was the prime minister, he quickly took a few steps forward and received them, taking the initiative to greet: “Who knew that it would be Aunty Fang Yi who would personally come. Please excuse this old official for not going out to meet you. I hope that aunty will not blame us!” The so-called aunty was nothing more than an honorific title. It was not determined by age. Lu Song was definitely much older than Fang Yi, but the people in the palace all referred to Fang Yi as aunty, thus he also did the same.
The person that was leading the group in delivering the gifts was indeed Fang Yi. Seeing Lu Song, she acted kindly. While smiling, she said that Lord Lu was too polite and personally handed over a box, “Her Highness the Empress advised this servant to personally hand this to Lord Prime Minister Lu. This is something that was awarded a few days ago by the Emperor. It’s an extremely high-quality item that was brought into the palace. The palace only received a total of two boxes, and his Majesty awarded one box to Imperial Concubine Yun and one to Her Highness the Empress.”
Lu Song received it and opened it to take a look. Inside was a full box of edible bird nest, and there were 12 portions. The bird nests were moderate in size and were scarlet in color. They were indeed extremely high-quality goods. Hearing Fang Yi say that the palace only received two boxes, the Empress would definitely receive one as the dignified ruler of the inner palace, and the other portion was given to Imperial Concubine Yun. Imperial Concubine Yun’s place in the Emperor’s heart was something that everyone knew about. It could be seen just how precious this item was. It was truly impossible to imagine, and it was even more impossible to estimate its value in gold or silver.
“Her Highness the Empress has said that she has gotten up there in age. For her to use these things, it would be a waste, and it would be better to send it to the Lu manor and the future princess of the eighth prince.” Fang Yi said with a smile: “Lord Prime Minister, quickly accept it. Remember to have the kitchen prepare a bowl for the young miss each day. These things can’t be kept for a long period of time. It would be best for them to all be consumed.” While she spoke, she giggled and looked toward Lu Yan, reminding her: “I fear that Young Miss still hasn’t had a chance to properly meet His Highness the eighth prince yet, right? His Highness will be back by the time of the palace banquet on new year’s. Before this, Young Miss needs to take care of yourself, so that you can be very beautiful when meeting His Highness the eighth prince.”
Lu Yan heard these words, and her face turned bright red, but she was also emotional. Upon thinking that she would be able to see the eighth prince in a few more days, her heart began to race uncontrollably. Lu Song also repeatedly gave thanks and invited Fang Yi into the hall to drink some tea; however, Fang Yi waved her hand and refused: “No, this servant must go back and report to Her Highness. My Lord should focus on the young miss. Having the bird nest prepared is truly most important.” After saying this, she said to Lu Yan: “This servant will congratulate Young Miss ahead of time.”
Lu Yan gratefully returned a salute with rosy cheeks. This was quite a beautiful sight.
Ge shi had already arranged for servants to receive the items that the palace maids and eunuchs were holding. She then received a cloth bundle from her maidservant and insisted on handing it to Fang Yi, thus Fang Yi accepted it. After feeling it a bit, she laughed internally. Ever since the Lu family had their financial supplies cut off by the Yao family, the manor was living frugally. It was possible that this pouch of silver was the salary that Lu Song had just received a short time ago, right?
Her guess was correct. That pouch of silver was indeed one month of Lu Song’s salary, and it had just been provided the previous day. The Lu family had only kept 10 taels for themselves, and they had not had time to distribute the rest, yet they now had to give it to Fang Yi. After Fang Yi left, Ge shi was quite distressed; however, she still gritted her teeth and said: “Even if our manor will be living poorly, we cannot afford to lose face.”
Lu Song nodded and said in approval: “That’s right. Fang Yi is Her Highness the Empress’ personal head palace maid, and so many things were given. Normally speaking, that bit of silver is not even presentable, but there’s nothing that can be done. Our manor is only able to present that much. When the day comes that we can stage a comeback, we need to remember Her Highness the Empress’ kind intentions. We need to prepare some money for the courts to pave the road for Yan’er.”
Ge shi echoed this sentiment: “That’s right. The eighth prince’s birth mother has already been demoted to noble lady. Based on her personality, who knows what sort of trouble she might cause. Who even knows if she will even be around when His Highness the eighth prince appears. But the Empress of the central palace is different. She has dignity, understands basic principles and does not have a child of her own. In the future, regardless of which prince assumes the throne, she will become the Empress Dowager. This sort of person needs to be fawned on properly.” As she spoke, she grabbed Lu Yan’s hand and said: “When the Emperor has sanctioned the marriage at the new year’s banquet, head into the palace a bit more. You need to frequently go and pay respects to the Empress and take care of her. Of course, Noble Lady Yuan’s side cannot be neglected. Don’t listen to what your mother and father have said, as His Highness the eighth prince regards his birth mother as quite important. For the sake of His Highness the eighth prince, we absolutely must not create a divide with Noble Lady Yuan, understand?”