The imperial eunuch stood on the steps, holding the bright yellow imperial edict with a thick smile on his lips.
The last time he came to announce an edict, he received two hefty purses.
Since then, he wished the emperor would send him to the Cloud Brocade County Princess a hundred times a day with decrees.
He wasn't afraid of getting tired!
He was willing to run his legs off for the County Princess!
Seeing his smile grow bigger, the Song family also breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed to be good news.
The last edict had made her a County Princess, could it be that this time she was to be made a Commandery Princess?
Half an hour later, Qi Huan came gracefully and knelt down.
The eunuch cleared his throat, unrolled the scroll, and read aloud in the loudest voice:
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: It has come to Our attention that the Cloud Brocade County Princess, Qi Huan, is of excellent character and overflowing talent, which has greatly pleased Us. Now, as the time has come for Our eldest son, Li Shuchen, to take a wife, We have decided to choose a virtuous lady to be his consort. We hereby bestow upon you the title of Prince's Consort to the Crown Prince. All ceremonial matters shall be managed by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Choose an auspicious day for the wedding. Let it be done—"
"Your humble daughter thanks the Emperor for his great kindness."
Qi Huan, with a smile curving her eyes, gratefully received the imperial edict, her joy spreading from her heart to every limb.
A gentle breeze brushed through her hair and lifted her skirts as she turned around like a joyful bird, only to meet the solemn gazes of the Song family.
Old Master Song thought: He admits that Prince An is handsome and distinguished, but the thought of him taking his delicate granddaughter away was hard to swallow.
Old Lady Song thought: Once you enter the palace, it's as deep as the sea; how many beauties have turned to dry bones there?
She didn't want Huan Huan to enter the palace...
Elder Master Song wondered: How sure is Prince An of ascending to the throne?
...If he fails, wouldn't the Song family be implicated? That was a frightening thought.
Perhaps a good cry was in order.
Elder Madam Song sobbed: "That dog of an Emperor, stealing my daughter-in-law! Wuu wuu wuu..."
The couple wept together.
Song Jingcheng helped up Young Madam Song, who was close to giving birth, his eyes filled only with his wife, with no time to think about his cousin.
"Song Jingche" had a dark look in his eyes, as if about to drip water, his sinister gaze locked on the imperial edict in Qi Huan's hands, so **** irritating...
Only Song You'an, truly happy for Qi Huan.
Unlike the elders' various considerations, she only cared about whether her cousin was happy.
She lifted her clear, doe-like eyes, her gaze fixed on Qi Huan's smiling face, carefully searching for the joy in her eyes.
After a long while, she moved next to Qi Huan.
"Cousin, congratulations."
"Thank you, An An~"
As soon as Qi Huan finished speaking, Old Lady Song voiced her melancholic worries:
"What's there to be happy about? What kind of place is the palace? It devours people without spitting out their bones!"
"Our Huan Huan is so innocent, what if she gets completely consumed?"
"What are we to do? Think of something quickly!"
Elder Madam Song also choked up:
"If I had known, I would have taken the initiative, to secure the advantage by proximity, the rabbit eats the grass by its burrow, I should have sought to betroth Huan Huan to Che Er..."
Nearby, Ximen Ye's eyes gathered a dark storm, his gaze sinister.
What's so good about marrying a prince? He wanted his cousin to see the reality!
Unaware of his thoughts, Qi Huan was busy comforting the worried faces of the Song family.
“My grandparents and uncles and aunts, you need not worry about me......”
The Song family felt even more distressed. Their Huanhuan was truly sensible, pretending to be strong to comfort them at such a time...
Remembering the palace banquet, Huanhuan deliberately did not cover her acne to look ugly, apparently not wanting to enter the palace.
But her natural beauty was hard to conceal; despite the acne outbreak, she still caught the royal eye. They should have let Huanhuan eat more spicy hot pot to flare up her skin, to burst more pimples, ideally a face full of them...
Seeing their increasingly strange looks, Qi Huan had no choice but to dismiss the servants and tell them the truth:
“I am fond of Prince An.”
Her eyes shone unusually bright as she spoke, her almond eyes sparkling like radiant gems, their brilliance swirling, dazzling like a starry sky.
“When I was in Mo County, I had already met Prince An. We supported each other through hardships, and in the days of gentle flowing waters, I secretly pledged my heart to him. I know he sincerely wishes to marry me, and I am wholeheartedly happy to marry him.”
“Li Shuchen is gentle and considerate, responsible...”
As her words fell, the Song family looked at each other in bewilderment.
She praised Li Shuchen to the skies, and as she spoke, she radiated with vitality.
The Song family's expressions were complex: Was the Prince An Huanhuan spoke of the same Prince An they knew?
Could there really be two faces to him?
Qi Huan continued with a smile: “Having seen such a gentleman, how could I not be pleased? Receiving the imperial marriage decree, I was genuinely delighted, and my grandparents and uncles and aunts should be happy for me too.”
Seeing her radiant smile, which seemed genuine, the Song family gradually accepted the fact.
As she went back to her room to place the imperial decree, the Song family gathered to discuss the dowry.
Old Master Song said, “My lady, the private money I decided to give you when I was prepared to die at the palace gates, why not use it to add to Huanhuan’s dowry?”
“Do you even need to say it?” Old Lady Song, always sharp-tongued with her husband, snapped back before turning to her son and daughter-in-law: “Don’t worry, when An An gets married, I will add to her dowry just the same. I won’t favor one over the other. Right now, our big task is to unite and prepare Huanhuan’s dowry, so she won’t be looked down upon when she leaves our home.”
Elder Madam Song nodded hurriedly: “Mother is right!”
“...Our Song family can live this prosperous life thanks to Huanhuan. She cured Che Er’s tuberculosis, saving us a fortune in medical expenses. She also got us involved in the food and milk tea businesses, bringing in a hefty monthly dividend. Out of gratitude, rest assured, mother, I will make sure Huanhuan’s dowry is respectable!”
As their discussion heated up, Young Madam Song suddenly furrowed her brows...
Song Jingcheng quickly noticed her discomfort: “Amin, what’s wrong?”
“My water just broke...”
“Quick! Call the midwife!” Song Jingcheng’s voice suddenly rose in panic as he hurriedly lifted her sideways and rushed her to the bed.
Everyone immediately reacted.
Elder Madam Song frantically instructed the maids to boil water and notify the midwife who had been asked to come to the house in advance.
Upon hearing the news, Qi Huan searched the system for chocolate to modify.
In her previous life, she had seen online that pregnant women need to consume a lot of energy during childbirth, and eating high-calorie chocolate can help sustain their energy.
Lifting her skirt, she ran to Qingyang Court and handed the chocolate to the maids coming and going, briefly explaining its benefits.
The maid looked towards Elder Madam Song, who glared at her and said, "What are you looking at me for? Hurry up and take it inside!"
Ever since Qi Huan had cured Che Er's tuberculosis and An An's white hair, Elder Madam Song had developed a blind admiration for her, so she didn't hesitate to command the maid to deliver the chocolate.
After Young Madam Song had eaten it, the system awarded Qi Huan, saying: "Good deed +1, points +100."
Qi Huan's eyes widened in surprise: "What does that mean?"
