Chapter 25 The Crown Prince's Official Wife (Middle)

  On the way back to the palace, Pu Jiayear asked about the Empress's affairs

  "Dad indeed knows" Qing Sang said faintly

  Pu Ji Nian nodded and said, "It's not that I want to deceive you, but the Empress Dowager has repeatedly instructed me not to inform you in advance. Do you know what Sang Er is planning to do now?"

  Qing She bit her lip, lowered her eyes to think for a moment, and finally said: "It's up to the Empress Dowager and Father to decide. It's just that Mother...". Qing Sang felt that if she were adopted under the name of Liu Shi, her mother Wang Shi would definitely be unhappy.

  Pu Ji let out a young sigh: "I will go talk to your mother myself, she will definitely prioritize your future"

  Afterwards, the two of them walked in silence all along the way.

  Wang was indeed unwilling, and in front of Qing Sang, she wiped away tears for a long time.

  "Mother, don't be sad. Although Eldest Sister has passed away and I am considered as her daughter in name, I am still your daughter, Mother."

  "Wang said with a sob: 'It's all because mother has a humble origin, otherwise it wouldn't be like this...'"

  Qing Sang wiped away her mother's tears and smiled: "Mother, you can't say that again in the future. You are now the legitimate wife of a second-grade official."

  Wang was somewhat comforted by this and nodded his head.

  In the following days, Qing Sang followed the Empress's arrangement and carried out her plan step by step.

  First went with his father to Liu Fu

  Liu Gong hated the Pu family. He had already investigated that this Fifth Daughter Shu was a relatively well-known secret prostitute in Ningzhou, who set up her own brothel and solicited customers. She didn't know what method she used to enthrall Pu Jiayuan, entering the Pu family's door. His daughter Liu Jing died miserably at the hands of a prostitute, while the one who lost her life was just a maid. The real culprit behind the scenes has not been caught yet. How could he not hate? Towards his son-in-law Pu Jiayuan, it was even more disappointing. If he hadn't married such a loose woman regardless of his status, his daughter wouldn't have died.

  Pu Ji Nian also knew that his father-in-law hated him extremely. Although they were colleagues in the imperial court, they had lost their former closeness and could even be said to be quite estranged. This time, if it weren't for the empress's orders, he really wouldn't have dared to set foot in the Liu mansion again.

  Liu Gong saw him and really didn't have a good expression

  After the two men had made their bows and taken their seats, Liu Gong couldn't help but rebuke Pu Jiannian: "You're also a scholar who has read extensively in poetry and books, knows etiquette and rituals, and is a high-ranking official in the court. How could you marry a prostitute and cause the death of your own wife? It's truly a loss of face, shocking to hear! I pity my Jingxiu and Qingbi." As he spoke, he heavily slapped the tea table twice.

  Pu Jiannian was overwhelmed with shame and hastily knelt down to admit his mistake.

  His father knelt down, Qing Shao couldn't bear it and also knelt down with him.

  Liu Gong saw the situation and didn't think it was good to say anything more. After all, today's most important thing wasn't scolding or blaming Pu Jinyan.

  He sank his face and let the two of them get up and sit down.

  Liu Gong continued to say to Pu Jiannian, "Quietly cherished under the knees originally had two daughters, unfortunately they were both unlucky. Since you have a kind heart, I am willing to let Qing Sang inherit her name, so that she will not be lonely and bitter after death, and it is also a comfort for me."

  Pu Jiannian repeatedly expressed his gratitude

  Qing Sang quickly got up, knelt down and paid his respects, saying loudly: "Sang'er greets her grandfather, wishing you a healthy and happy life"

  Liu Gong was delighted to see this, and hastily ordered Qing Sang to get up. He also instructed the servants in the mansion to bring something, which he personally handed over to Qing Sang, saying it was a gift for Sang Er.

  Qing Sang took over the red brocade pouch embroidered with peony and opened it, only to find a jade pendant inside.

  Liu Gong said with a smile: "This jade is carved from the best Hetian jade, it can calm people's minds and make them feel comfortable and relaxed. It is one of the best jades and suits your temperament."

  Qing Sang hastily thanked him

  After returning home, Qing Sang took out the jade and examined it carefully. The main body was carved with bats and cloud patterns. Qing Sang vaguely knew that this pattern was called "Flowing Clouds and Hundred Blessings". The bat was a relief carving, while the cloud was an openwork carving, delicate and intricate. The jade had a warm and smooth texture like sheep's fat, even if it was someone who didn't understand jade, they would know it was a good piece of jade.

  It seems that Liu Gong has spent a lot of money this time, but Qing Sang feels chilled to the bone. Although Qing Bi is far away in Beijiang and his life or death is unknown, it can't be said that there's no one left behind for the Liu family. It can be seen that Liu Gong now treats Qing Bi as if he were already dead. This way of treating people as valuable as a pearl on the palm when they have value, but discarding them like worn-out shoes when they don't, is really shameless.

  But haven't I also become someone who is forced by circumstances and follows the trend?

  Qing slightly smiled and put away the jade, secretly thinking in her heart: "Second sister, you must live well. I will not let you down. I will definitely think of a way to rescue you back and make you have a good life."

  The next day, Liu Gong accompanied Qing Sang to the mansion of He Xiong, the former Grand General of the Dragon Cavalry.

  Everything went very smoothly, and I'm sure the Queen's visit was also well-planned.

  After making He Xiong his sworn ancestor, Qing Sang received another great gift, a jade leaf passed down from his ancestors.

  Not to mention the jade leaf carving is vivid, but the material of this jade is even better than Liu Gong's jade pendant, it should be an ancient jade.

  Qing Sang was initially perplexed when she received it, but after some thought, she understood that this jade leaf was not given to her, Qing Sang, but to the Crown Princess, the future Empress. Exchanging a piece of ancient jade for a more illustrious future for the He Estate was absolutely worth it.

  With a peaceful and contented heart, he sweetly called out "Grandfather" and General He was overjoyed, and ordered someone to bring a string of high-quality yellow flower pear wood Buddhist prayer beads for Pu Jinye to take home to his mother.

  Qing Sha stole a glance, Huang Huali is valuable in modern times! Give it to the old lady? Qing Sang thought that the old lady was alone, she didn't have a grandfather, and now she had recognized a dry grandfather, and even gave gifts to her own grandmother, the queen really thought of everything.

  Thinking of this, Qing Sang almost couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  He Lao Jiangjun was delighted and ordered someone to invite Sunzi He Yan, his grandson, and his granddaughter-in-law, Jia Ren Gongzhu, as well as Liu Xiang Guo. A table of food was set up to celebrate.

  The prince was playing chess with General He Yan in the marshal's mansion and they both came together upon hearing the news.

  According to convention, Qing should not sit in that position, and even less so next to the Crown Prince. But unexpectedly, the Crown Prince sat down beside Qing, and Qing sank into the lower seat, which made He Gong and Liu Gong extremely frightened.

  They all stood up and invited the prince to take his seat, but the prince said it was just a family banquet and he was an uninvited guest, so there was no need for formalities.

  How dare you be so rude, Lord He has seen his daughter-in-law and still has to pay respects, how can the emperor's son sit in a lower position?

  The prince mainly wanted to sit next to Qing, so he invited Qing and Sang to sit in the upper seat together.

  In his previous life, Qing Shang knew to respect the elderly and love the young, giving up good seats to let seniors sit first. In this life, his soul had transmigrated into an ancient era where hierarchical concepts were extremely heavy, so he even more dared not to overstep his rank and age to sit in that superior seat.

  However, after repeated requests from He Gong and others, the crown prince smiled and took her hand, half-pulling and half-dragging her to sit together on that upper seat.

  Facing everyone, Qing Sang felt very uneasy and deeply lowered her head.

  Everyone at the table thought Qing Sang was shy and smiled brightly

  The prince slightly leaned in close to Qing Sang, amidst the clinking of cups and chopsticks, and whispered: "You will gradually get used to it, my Sang."

  Qing Sang's face suddenly turned bright red

  Everyone saw it and laughed even more

  The crown prince also chuckled, but his hand under the table tightly grasped the small hand of Qing Sang on his leg.

  Qing Sang slightly angrily, made a small temper, and resentfully kicked the prince's foot.

  The prince endured the pain, but his face remained as usual, raising his cup in a toast with everyone else.

  The other hand, however, seemed to be punishing him as it gripped Qing Sang's hand even tighter.

  Qing finally managed to free her poor little hand after a hard struggle, and placed it on the table, which had already turned bright red.

  Qing Sang couldn't help but turn her head and glare at the prince.

  The prince pretended not to see, drank the wine offered by Liu Gong, and casually picked up a piece of green vegetables, placing it in Qing Sang's small dish.

  This favoritism has entered the eyes of everyone, they all look at each other and smile, understanding in their hearts but saying nothing.

  After dinner, Pu Jiayear rode alone in the government carriage, leaving only the crown prince and Qing Shuangche.

  Qīng shāo zhī dào fù qīn de yì si，zhè shì gěi jī huì ràng tāmen dú chǔ

  This is Qing Sang's second time riding with the Crown Prince together

  Just like the first time, the prince beckoned Qing to come over to his side

  Qing Tuan did not refuse and sat down obediently

  The prince held Qing Sang's hand and asked, "Does it hurt?"

  Qingsang knew he was asking if he had hurt her just now, and she shook her head with a smile.

  The crown prince slightly raised the corner of his mouth and said: "But you're stepping on me and it hurts"

  "That's because you bullied me first"

  The prince was delighted by her cuteness and laughed for a while before suddenly holding Qing Sang's small face and quickly covering her lips with his own.

  Qing Sai jumped like a drum, staring blankly at the prince's gentle and watery eyes with her big round eyes.

  The prince left her warm lips, raised his eyebrows and smiled so beautifully

  Qing Sang was dazed for a while, until he let go of his own face, then came back to himself and remembered his silly appearance just now, suddenly turning red from face to ear root.

  The crown prince hugged her, kissed her temples and said softly: "In a few days, you will be my crown princess"

  Qing Sang thought of the empress's words and curiously asked, "I wonder why the empress would agree to make me the official wife and go to great lengths to promote my status? I suppose you must have put in a lot of effort to achieve this?"

  The crown prince said: "This matter is long to say, and maybe it's the will of heaven. That day I invited my mother to go with me to ask my father for your hand in marriage, but unexpectedly my father did not agree, and instead said that we should first establish a crown princess, and let my mother find some suitable women from good families to consider. At that time, I was very puzzled, and didn't know what my father's intention was. For our marriage to be completely safe, I only asked for you to be established as a concubine, but my father still did not agree, and also did not give a reason."

  The crown prince paused and continued: "The empress dowager saw the emperor say this, but did not raise any objections. She only mentioned that if it is to be so, then let the main wife and concubine enter together, which would be lively and also not bury your past glorious name. The emperor did not express approval or disapproval, only saying that he would first go find a suitable candidate before discussing further."

  Qing Sang heard this and thought of the year she participated in the selection of the imperial concubine, when the Empress Dowager had praised her highly in the palace. She felt a little uneasy, but didn't say anything, only leaning softly into his arms, listening quietly.