si-mexico Chapter 209 Princess Changle
Chapter 209 Princess Changle
Ling Mohui pursed her lips, raised her glass, and smiled playfully: "Brother, I'll give you a drink in return! Thank you for taking the trouble to bring me back to Daqing this time."
Zhao Yu clinked his glasses together and drank it all in one gulp, saying calmly, "Eat it. The food won't taste good if it gets cold."
"Yes, yes, everyone, eat quickly!"
Zhao Yuezhao hurriedly picked up food for the two of them, and the atmosphere gradually became harmonious.
Shortly after lunch, a messenger from the palace came hurriedly.
"The Emperor heard that the Duke's daughter was returning to the capital today, so he specially ordered me to deliver his order."
"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims that I am very pleased to hear that the daughter of Lord Anping has returned to the capital. I am hereby conferring upon her the title of Princess Changle, granting her a fief, a royal surname, and a hundred hectares of fertile land as a token of my grace and favor!"
This sudden imperial edict not only shocked everyone present, but also foreshadowed that Ling Mohui's fate would undergo a drastic change from then on.
Ling Mohui was stunned for a moment, her heart in turmoil. Why did the emperor think so highly of her, the daughter of a duke who had just returned from the frontier?
Not only was he bestowed with the honorable national surname, but he was also generously granted fertile land?
This sudden favor made her feel a little confused and puzzled.
She looked up at Zhao Yuezhao beside her with a probing look. Could it be that all this was to further win over her father, Lord Anping, and make him more loyal to the Daqing Dynasty?
However, Zhao Yuezhao's expression seemed even gloomier. Her furrowed brows and dissatisfied eyes undoubtedly revealed her deep dissatisfaction and doubts about the emperor's series of actions.
However, the imperial edict was as heavy as a mountain. Even though Zhao Yuezhao was extremely unwilling, it was not convenient for him to disobey in public. He could only suppress his emotions, reluctantly stretched out his hand, and took the heavy edict.
"Mr. Anping, the emperor has said that since Princess Changle has returned to the capital today, the palace has specially prepared a welcoming banquet. I hope that the Earl can bring the princess to share this grand event in the evening."
The voice of the eunuch delivering the imperial decree echoed in the hall, sounding particularly solemn.
"In addition, this is the letter of appointment that His Majesty specially bestowed on Lord Zhao Yu, promoting him to the position of Deputy Envoy of the Supervisory Department in recognition of his past loyalty and diligence."
As soon as the eunuch finished speaking, a hint of surprise flashed across Zhao Yu's face, but he quickly suppressed it and replaced it with a respectful and determined look. He steadily took the letter of appointment that symbolized honor and responsibility.
"Your humble servant Zhao Yu, I thank God for His grace and will do my best to live up to His Majesty's expectations!"
Although Anpingbo seemed dissatisfied with the imperial edict, he did not say much. He just sighed softly and then turned to Ling Mohui. His tone was gentle but full of unquestionable determination: "The imperial edict is urgent. Mother will personally accompany you to choose new clothes in the afternoon. The etiquette of tonight's palace banquet is complicated. You don't need to worry. Mother will always be by your side."
As the sun sets, the sky is dyed with a gentle orange-red. Ling Mo turns around, wearing a carefully selected gorgeous dress, and slowly walks into the brightly lit palace.
As soon as she left the carriage, eyes from all directions focused on her as if attracted by a magnet.
"Look, that's the newly-appointed Princess Changle!"
There were murmurs among the crowd.
"What kind of charm does she have to earn the emperor's extraordinary favor and even grant her the emperor's surname?"
Another person commented jealously.
"Look at that enchanting figure and extraordinary demeanor. She is definitely not an ordinary person. I'm afraid she will cause quite a stir in the palace."
Another person echoed, with obvious jealousy in his words.
Faced with these envious or jealous gazes, Ling Mohui simply raised the corners of her mouth and revealed a faint, contemptuous smile.
In Da Qi, she was already accustomed to such scenes, and the gossips and suspicions behind the scenes were nothing but passing clouds to her.
When I entered the palace, I saw the princes and princesses sitting down. Unlike the noble ladies outside who were secretly competing with each other, their hostility towards Ling Mohui was almost undisguised and blatant.
There are many heirs in the royal family of Daqing, and they have been fighting openly and secretly for the emperor's favor. Now there is another princess who is not only given the surname of the emperor, but also enjoys the honor of a welcoming banquet hosted by the emperor himself. How can people not be alert?
Ling Mohui was also full of doubts. Why did the emperor attach so much importance to the identity of a mere princess and even go to so much trouble?
Even though she was the wife of the Prime Minister and the daughter of a general in Da Qi, she had never enjoyed such high honor and attention.
She glanced sideways at Zhao Yuezhao beside her, wondering secretly in her heart, could all this be related to the fact that Earl Anping is deeply in the emperor's favor?
Just as Ling Mohui was troubled by thoughts, Emperor Daqing and the Queen arrived, and the atmosphere of the banquet instantly reached a climax.
"Lord Anping, we have come to congratulate you on finding such a beautiful woman."
The queen raised her glass, smiled gently, and said to Zhao Yuezhao.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."
Zhao Yuezhao raised his glass in response, but there was a hint of complexity in his tone.
Although everything seemed calm on the surface, Ling Mohui was keenly aware of the subtle changes in the air.
"I heard that the princess returned to the capital, all thanks to Lord Zhao's efforts. Lord Zhao has really worked hard and made great contributions!"
A princess dressed in gorgeous clothes stood up and toasted Zhao Yu with a hint of deliberate flattery in her words.
Zhao Yu drank the wine in the glass calmly, sat down calmly, and remained silent.
"That is Princess Wenxi, the Queen's daughter, and the second most favored princess in the palace."
An Pingbo whispered in Ling Mohui's ear, pointing to the upper left, "And the one sitting there is the current Crown Prince."
Ling Mo looked in the direction indicated, and saw a man in fine clothes and with a gentle temperament smiling and nodding at her. She smiled back politely, but her heart was calm, as if everything was within her expectations.
Duke Anping only focused on introducing the queen's two children and did not say much about the other princes and princesses. Perhaps in his eyes, those people were not worth mentioning too much.
Although Ling Mohui did not get a clear explanation, she was sensitive and could roughly guess Anping Gong's intention.
"Princess Changle, you are so beautiful, you must have outstanding talents, right? Why don't you show us some, so that we can open our eyes?"
Princess Wenxi stared at Ling Mohui with a playful look and a cunning look, as if she was eager to see a good show.
Ling Mohui raised a faint smile, and said with an unintentional provocation: "Of course I can perform, but I always feel that it is not enough without a dancer. I wonder if Princess Wenxi would be willing to do me a favor and dance with me?"
There was a hidden meaning in her words. If one wanted to see her make a fool of herself, he had to see if the other party had the ability to do so.
Princess Wenxi frowned slightly when she heard this, realizing that Ling Mohui was not someone who could be easily dealt with, and quickly changed her words: "Today is a welcoming party for the princess, and it would be inappropriate for me to steal the limelight at this time."
She rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Zhao Yu: "Master Zhao, what do you think?"
Zhao Yu had a handsome face, skin as white as cream, and eyes as bright as stars, but Princess Wenxi would never have imagined that this seemingly suave man was actually a eunuch in the palace.