allonlinenovel Chapter 882 The Emperor and Empress's Rewards!
Chapter 882 The Emperor and Empress's Rewards!
After listening for a while, Duanmu Qing finally understood that pregnant women should not eat too little, but they also shouldn't eat too much.
Thinking back to when they were in the fiefdom, my sister-in-law ate several meals a day, but she didn't eat much at each meal, especially after her belly got bigger and bigger.
It seems that ever since they returned to Beijing, the eldest sister-in-law's appetite has been increasing during this pregnancy.
"Mother, has someone tampered with my sister-in-law's food?"
Princess Su gritted her teeth and said angrily, "Nine times out of ten it's that despicable Zhuang Shi. She just can't stand to see my children doing well! This vicious woman is truly despicable. She even schemes against unborn children. Isn't she afraid of damaging her ruthlessness?"
“Mother, the matter has not yet been investigated, and it may not be her doing it. I have already ordered the nanny to investigate. But what the final result will be, we can only wait and see.”
“Good child, I’m sorry you’ve suffered. From now on, we won’t go anywhere. If you miss your mother and grandmother, just send them invitations and ask them to come and talk to you. It’s only natural that you can’t leave the manor now that you’re heavily pregnant.”
"Yes, concubine."
Duanmu Qing's eyes darkened slightly. Who could truly understand what was happening within the inner quarters of such a high-ranking family?
Thinking that she will be marrying into the Mu family in two months, she really doesn't know what her life will be like in the future.
However, considering that she had gotten into such a big mess this time, but Mu Qingxuan not only didn't despise her, but also comforted her in every way, and even alarmed the Empress to clear her name, she felt that this man was worth marrying because of his thoughtfulness.
The next day, after Mu Qingxuan spent some time talking with the young master, he went to the back garden to meet Duanmu Qing.
Unlike before, this time, Mu Qingxuan immediately noticed that Duanmu Qing seemed to be secretly grieving, and her appearance was truly heartbreaking.
"Qing'er, what's wrong? Is something bothering you?"
Duanmu Qing lowered her head slightly. "It's nothing. It's just that I've been feeling a bit troubled lately whenever I think about that Zhuang family matter. I originally thought that we're all family, after all. Whether it's a concubine or a royal consort, they all depend on Father for their lives, so why bother with all this scheming and infighting?"
Mu Qingxuan paused for a moment before stepping forward. "Qing'er, are you finding this kind of life a bit troublesome?"
Duanmu Qing blushed slightly, glanced at him secretly, and then quickly lowered her head again.
“You men are either working in the government office or fighting on the battlefield; that’s what matters. How can you always focus your attention on the inner quarters? Just like my father, no matter whether he has any achievements or not, he can’t possibly devote too much attention to my mother and us.”
Mu Qingxuan's eyes flickered, as if he understood. "Qing'er, are you worried about the future?"
Duanmu Qing blushed, twisting her handkerchief in her hands, her voice barely audible, "I'm only a teenager, so naturally I'm a little worried about my future. What if you bully me again?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Qingxuan burst into hearty laughter.
Upon hearing his loud laughter, Duanmu Qing quickly looked around, glared at him, stomped her foot, and was about to run back.
Unexpectedly, Mu Qingxuan acted even faster, grabbing her hand in one go.
"Qing'er, you're overthinking it. Don't worry, I have no intention of taking a concubine."
With just one sentence, Duanmu Qing was frozen in place.
"You? What did you say? Do you know how important your words are to a woman?"
"Of course I know! Don't worry, I have no intention of taking a concubine, and my mother is not the kind of person who likes to interfere in the affairs of the younger generation. She will not put people around me. Even now, I am surrounded by servants, not a single maid."
Hearing these words made Duanmu Qing blush a little!
Doesn't this mean he's indirectly telling her that Mu Qingxuan is still a virgin?
Mu Qingxuan showed no embarrassment whatsoever. “Qing’er, I like things simple. As you know, I’ve already entered the government office, and I don’t know how busy I’ll be in the future. I don’t have much time to devote to the inner quarters. So, I don’t want the inner quarters to be too crowded; it’s just too cramped.”
Duanmu Qing blushed and glanced at him, "Are you being serious?"
"Of course! So, after we get married, you have to be a good mistress of the household and make sure to get rid of all those messy people around me. I don't like being watched all the time. That feeling is like a piece of fine meat being schemed against by a bunch of rats. Just thinking about it makes me feel disgusted."
This metaphor?
Duanmu Qing couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Alright, I knew you could talk, but I didn't expect your skill at coaxing people to be so top-notch!"
"I only comfort the people I care about."
Duanmu Qing blushed, exchanged a few more words with him, and then returned home with her maid. Mu Qingxuan went to the front courtyard to chat with the young master for a while before leaving.
Since Mu Qingxuan and Duanmu Xing had set a wedding date, they naturally began preparing betrothal gifts.
For Mu Xin Nuan, one was her own younger brother, and the other was her husband's nephew; naturally, she couldn't neglect either of them.
Such matters are naturally decided by the Empress; the Emperor will not interfere.
Soon, the eunuchs of the inner palace split into two groups and went to the Ming Prince's residence and the Mu Marquis's residence respectively.
It was bestowed by Mu Xin Nuan in the name of the Emperor and Empress.
Six pairs each of gold and jade ruyi (a type of scepter).
These six pairs, totaling twelve handles, are meant to bring good fortune and auspiciousness, symbolizing auspiciousness and good luck every month.
In addition, Mu Xin Nuan rewarded each of the two mansions with twelve bolts of the finest brocade, a tribute item that was only available in the palace.
With these two families holding such prestigious betrothal gifts, it's likely that no one in the capital can rival them.
When Mu Chang'an saw that his daughter had prepared such nice things for him, he was naturally very happy.
When the old master saw this, he was also delighted. Mu Qingxuan was the first grandson in the family to get married, and there would be several more to follow.
“Anuan is a good child. Axuan, in the future, if there are important matters, you should consult with the Empress if you don’t consult with your father.”
"Yes, grandfather."
About half an hour later, Chunyu came again.
"Congratulations to Prince Mu."
"So it's Sister Chunyu! Please, no need for formalities, have a seat."
Chunyu did not refuse. She sat down, drank a couple of sips of tea, and then took the small box from the person next to her.
"Young Master Mu, this is something Her Majesty instructed me to give to you. She said that what was prepared before was a reward for the Empress, and this one is a congratulatory gift from her as the eldest sister."
Mu Qingxuan was taken aback. When he opened it, he found a thick stack of silver notes!
This time, even Mu Chang'an couldn't stay calm!