Consort De watched for a while, and also found it quite interesting, estimating that the second princess could play for an entire day. Only then did she feel reassured, saying: "Younger Sister Lao, please help Sister take care of the second princess. Empress Zhu probably has some matters she wants to pass on to me regarding the arrangements for the New Year's banquet."
Empress Zhu could not handle it all by herself, so she called her trusted confidantes Consort Liang and Consort De to help manage palace affairs.
Jiang Xinyue waved her hand nonchalantly: "All right, all right, this consort will take good care of the second princess. Sister De, you should go quickly! Please send my regards to the Empress."
Consort De smiled and shook her head helplessly. She truly was childlike, no wonder the children adored her so much - they saw Concubine Zhen as a playmate of the same age.
After Consort De left, the eldest princess and the third prince arrived as well. Xi Que, Shuang Jiang, and little Xiao Xuanzi stopped playing and allowed the three young masters to join Concubine Zhen.
When Wang Dequan carefully presented the white fox fur robe, the four were so engrossed in play that they burst into unrestrained laughter, quite unbecoming.
"Precious Consort Zhen, this servant has brought you the Emperor's reward."
The four paused, and Jiang Xinyue walked over first: "What reward is this?"
Wang Dequan extended his hands, revealing a soft, snow-white fox fur robe.
The robe was completely pristine, almost blinding under the sunlight, with a slender cut and a pale apricot collar embroidered with peony flowers and fastenings. The hat had a full ring of fox fur trim that could envelop her little face, protecting her from the wind and cold.
Even Jiang Xinyue, who was used to modern synthetic and real mink and fox fur coats from the future world, was amazed by this exquisite work of art.
The wisdom of the ancients sometimes exceeded modern people's imagination.
At least Jiang Xinyue felt that modern people would never make a true coat entirely out of white fox fur.
They would mix in 80% synthetic fur, then charge you a heartbreaking eighty thousand.
Especially in this non-existent Dayuan Dynasty, dressed in Qing-style banners with Qing hairstyles and lotus shoes - the entire nation probably couldn't find five white foxes.
It was evident that this reward was extraordinary.
"The Emperor said that Precious Consort Zhen should wear this fox fur robe to the New Year's banquet, as the evening banquet will be held outdoors. He doesn't want you to catch a chill."
Xi Que took the reward, and Wang Dequan cautioned further: "Precious Consort, when you're not wearing it, be sure to store it carefully. This is the only fox fur robe in the entire Dayuan Court."
It was truly precious!
If it wasn't treated like a national treasure, a shrewd man like Wang Dequan would not have said so.
Jiang Xinyue nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, Honorable Wang. This palace understands."
After seeing Wang Dequan off, the eldest princess, second princess, and third prince gathered around, staring at the dazzlingly bright white fox fur robe, exclaiming in awe.
But none dared to touch it.
Although Jiang Xinyue knew it was precious, clothes were meant to be worn, right?
She directly reached out, gave the robe a swoosh, and draped it over herself in one smooth, dance-like motion.
Especially since she was aware of her own beauty, she twirled on the spot. The white snow and white fur robe complemented each other brilliantly, making the beautiful woman resemble a snow fox that had taken human form after descending from the snowy mountains, ethereally enchanting.
This white fox fur robe simply belonged to her. Everyone present felt that no one else could do justice to its pure, unblemished color - it was not the clothes adorning the person, but the person adorning the clothes. Consort Zhen looked breathtakingly beautiful.
The third prince was awestruck: "Consort Zhen looks like a fairy descending to the mortal realm!"
Jiang Xinyue pinched his nose: "Our third prince certainly has an eye for beauty."
She had transmigrated from the 21st century, so wasn't she a fairy descending to the mortal realm?
The eldest princess and second princess looked on enviously, but their gazes were clear and without malice.
Regardless of how vicious or hypocritical the consorts of the rear palace could be, these children were all raised exceptionally well.
It was said that after the age of seven, princes and princesses would study, live, and receive guidance in the princes' academy, with teachers personally selected by the Emperor. The servants attending to the princes were also from the Chengqian Palace.
It seemed the Xuanwu Emperor was aware of the miscellaneous characters in his rear palace and feared the consorts would corrupt the princes and princesses, so he made preparations early.
Like today, when the princes' academy was closed for a break, they came to play in Concubine Zhen's palace.
Their curiosity about the fox fur robe lasted only a short while. After Jiang Xinyue took it off, they went back to playing double sixes.
Concubine Zhen always won, so the three of them teamed up, determined to defeat her this time.
"Your Highness..."
On the way back from the imperial garden to the Changxin Palace, Consort Zhang gritted her teeth so hard that her silver tooth was about to break.
She had been demoted from Noble Consort Wan to Consort Zhang for interfering in state affairs and angering the Emperor. Meanwhile, the root cause of it all, Zhen, had been elevated to Precious Consort Zhen.
Not only did the Empress treat her with kindness, but the Emperor also doted on her immensely.
Earlier, she had run into Wang Dequan carrying something carefully towards the Hexi Palace.
It could only be a reward from the Emperor for Precious Consort Zhen.
She took a few deep breaths, reminding herself to remain calm. Precious Consort Zhen held a more important place in the Emperor's heart than she had imagined. She could not act rashly again.
Otherwise, her fate would not be much better than Jiang Yuan's.
She had seen through Concubine Li - when she sent them to charge ahead, she would merely make empty promises. If something happened, she would not help them.
"Forget it."
Consort Zhang shook her handkerchief and tucked her hands into her furry sleeves. "Let's go back!"
That night, it was supposed to be the Hexi Palace's turn to keep the lamps lit, but Noble Consort Rong from a side palace of the Changxin Palace was suddenly revealed to be two months pregnant. Concubine Li sent someone to summon the Emperor over.
Although Shuang Jiang was young, she was an elder in the palace. After closing the palace gates, she sighed: "Consort Rong is pregnant. The Cining Palace side will probably be causing trouble again."
Jiang Xinyue looked over curiously. Before she could speak, Xi Que had already asked on her behalf: "What do you mean by that?"
Shuang Jiang glanced around and leaned in to whisper: "Consort Rong and Noble Consort Rong are the Emperor's cousins, the nieces of the Empress Dowager's family. Previously, when the Emperor dealt with the Wu Family, the Empress Dowager was furious and closed the gates of the Cining Palace, claiming illness and refusing to come out. But this servant believes she is not one to relinquish power so easily. Consort Rong's sudden pregnancy is a sign that the Empress Dowager intends to resurface."
Jiang Xinyue's eyes lit up, "Not bad! Even Shuang Jiang can make you think of so much?"
"Your Highness~"
The little maid stamped her feet, "This servant is reminding you, that person in Cining Palace is no good, you must be wary of Noble Consort Rong's sharp tongue, otherwise you will suffer."
"Really?"
Jiang Xinyue narrowed her eyes and smiled, "Me? The thing I fear least is suffering a loss."
The old saying goes well, suffering loss is a blessing.
