"replying to his majesty this subordinate already presented his gift earlier"
Zhou Boyin answered respectfully.
Emperor Long Chao look at his mother, seeing her nod slightly, he understood
"sister-in-law always has the best gift, I wonder what it is this year?"
noble concubine Gu Ai Jing gently said, her voice is full of curiosity but the subtle provocation didn't miss by the people around.
the empress dowager put down the teacup with a loud 'clang' sound that makes the crowd quieten down.
Gu Ai Jing looks up then her eyes reden instantly
"E-empress mother w-what?did I say something wrong?"
the empress dowager look at her with a subtle look then to her son and shake her head,
seeing his mother's look, he calm himself then said
"filial piety is still the most important"
Gu Ai Jing hurriedly knelt down and beg
"This concubine is wrong! This concubine is just curious why Marquis Zhou didn't present his gift! this concubine didn't expect that this concubine will anger Empress mother!"
empress dowager look down at this concubine, she was against her son taking this lowly person in his harem but he didn't listen,
she sounds sincere but, she was obviously hinting that the dowager is protecting her daughter.
she glances at her son again and sigh, her good mood is now gone.
but because they are in public she has to be magnanimous but she stays quiet for a while and let the lowly Gu Ai Jing kneel.
the emperor already knows that his mother is successfully angered by the concubine he hand-picked himself.
so he let her kneel and wait for her mother.
Gu Ai Jing bit her lips in humiliation, but she has to bite the bullet.
Zhou Boyin and Long Li Na remain calm, the empress does not react much but the other 3 noble concubines are secretly gloating.
"Because aija really liked the gift from Li Na-er,aija already used it, anyway it is not a big deal"
the prince and princess smile knowing what the empress's mother means, Gu Ai Jing is being petty!
"take aija's incense burner"
the crowd was confused and curious, incense burner is not uncommon! what kind of incense burner can make the dowager like it?
Gu Ai Jing still kneeling and silently smile, incense burner? compare to her red fur? this is nothing!
but when the incense burner is presented to the crowd's eyes they are surprised!
"Mother this is?"
the emperor asks seeing it.
empress dowager's mood improved so she explains
"This is what Li Na-er and her husband give to Aija, they thought that compare to the gift of others they give the cheapest but, the thought is more important right?"
the crowd blushed, that's true, what they gifted Coss a lot! looking at the exquisite art they don't believe that it is cheap!
Gu Li Jing's eyes widen! She blushed and turned pale, she really didn't expect this! her people clearly said that the Zhou family didn't obtain any special gifts!
"Mother let us make it one of our national treasures!"
the dowager smile slightly
"don't exaggerate, this is just made of sandalwood"
then look at the still kneeling Gu Ai Jing
"is concubine Gu satisfied?"
Gu Ai Jing wants to vomit blood but still has to smile
"This concubine is happy to see a very beautiful work!"
the dowager nod then let her stand.
Long Yi Sheng squint his eyes then laugh, he is sure that this gift is made by the little girl.
she is such a treasure box! he wonders what more treasure can be found in her?
the emperor also liked the gift, so look meaningfully at his brother-in-law and award them.
after the banquet, the emperor didn't forget to punish Gu Ai Jing
she was banned to go outside and no allowance for 6 months.
Gu Ai Jing broke almost everything inside her palace before she calmed a bit.
she knows! the empress dowager looked down on her! She is a concubine daughter from the declined Gu family.
a concubine-born daughter from a declining family can't have a higher status in the harem so she becomes a consort.
then because of her beauty and ways, the emperor promotes her, and become a noble concubine.
while she is lamenting about her bitter life, her maidservant said something
"Are you saying that it was the ignorant Ling family who made the gift?"
the servant nod, Gu Ai Jing grits her teeth.
a flash of cruelty passes through her eyes and whispers to her maidservant.
the servant hurriedly leave, then Gu Ai Jing smiled maliciously
"you don't want me to live? Then I will kill you all little by little".
When the emperor learned that Ling Wei made the incense burner he laugh, but remembering the empress dowager's warning he sigh but still ask his men to secretly protect her family.
he is sure that this family will bring great contributions to the future of their country!
after the birthday, Long Li Na wants to come to Ling Wei to express her gratitude and to bring the emperor and empress dowager's reward for her but because she knows that there are a lot of eyes on her and her family, so she didn't dare.
Ling Wei's days are silent for only 3 days, and on the 4th day, a familiar and unfamiliar person arrives!
Ding Cui froze seeing the man who knock on their house, the man knelt and choked out
"m-mother! This son is unfilial! please forgive me!"
Ding Cui cover her mouth and teared up
"L-ling Cong? m-my son?"
"mother! it is me!"
Ling Wei heard the cry so she hurriedly look then her eyes widen followed by her mother and brothers, all of them froze.
Ling Wei is not mistaken, the man in front of them sobbing is really Ling Cong the Ling siblings' father!
she squints her eyes while looking intently at the man sobbing sadly.
then she run towards him and hugs him tightly while crying loudly
"d-dad! you are alive! it's you right? it's not a dream, right? you are back, right? d-dad I miss you so much!"
the man obviously stiffens when Ling Wei keeps touching his face.
YOU ARE READING
The Pauper Princess
Historical FictionLing Wei came from a rich second-generation family. As her parents came from a poor family so she is spoiled rotten. Although alone, her parents didn't demand she studies business and inherit their family business but let her decide on what she want...
