Chapter 55: Returning Treasure and Revealing One's Heart

  After this sleep, when I woke up again, it was already three poles of the sun.

  Apart from her, there was no one else in the room.

  Pushing open the 'door', a ray of sunlight hit her face, stinging Qing Sang's eyes.

  "Princess, you're awake. I'll go fetch some water for you to wash up." Ma Xi hurriedly stepped forward to attend to her as Qing Sang got out of bed.

  These northern nomads' subordinates don't even call themselves slaves, they directly call themselves "I". Qing Sang glanced at Ma Xi, and saw that her demeanor and expression showed a kind of respect, seemingly not because she looked down on her to call herself "I". Qing Sang didn't care about these ranks anyway, so he didn't pay attention, asking: "Where's the prince?"

  "The prince got up early and left. Before he left, he told me not to disturb the princess, saying that you were exhausted last night and should sleep in." Ma Xi said with a sly smile.

  Qing Sang suddenly realized she had misunderstood, but it was hard to explain, so she just went along with it.

  Maji fetched water for Qing Sang to wash and comb her hair, but she was worried about this hairstyle. The Xuan dynasty's hairstyle Maji really didn't know how to comb.

  Qingsang saw Maxi holding the comb in a helpless manner, and only then did he realize that Maxi didn't know how to style this kind of hairdo. So Qingsang said: "Maxi, can you find the Northern Rong's clothing?"

  "What does 'Neng' mean, Princess?" Ma Xi asked.

  "I've married into the Northern Rong, so I should naturally follow local customs. The groom has already changed into Rong attire, and I should do the same. Help me get a set of clothes, and then style my hair in the local fashion. Later, I need to go pay respects to the Grand Consort." Qing Sang said.

  Maki was somewhat surprised, but when she said she wanted to see the Grand Consort, she seemed very happy. She immediately took out a black red-edged long gown and had Qing Sang braid her hair and put it up, and on her head, she wore the Northern Rong's headdress, with orange-red honey wax beads, blue agate flowers, and a silver hairpin carved with intricate flower patterns. After doing all this, Maki opened another box, which was full of bracelets and rings.

  "Where did you get these from?" Qing Sang asked.

  "Mah Xi asked Qing Sang to choose the jewelry she liked while saying: "These jewels were sent by the Empress yesterday. The Empress said that since King Xuan was so polite, sending three carts of gold and silver jewelry to King Rong, and marrying the princess to me in Northern Rong, we cannot disappoint the princess. These jewels are all high-quality ones. Yesterday, the princess fell asleep, so I didn't report it to her. Today, the princess is wearing a Rong dress, which matches perfectly with these accessories, so I quickly brought them over with the clothes."

  Qing Sang's face revealed a hint of surprise, not because the Empress Dowager had given her jewelry, but because she had just found out that her three carriages' dowry had been taken over by Huo Ruo. Too many things had happened yesterday, and with few people around her still alive, she hadn't noticed that her property had been taken over.

  Three carts of jewelry satin were exchanged for two boxes of accessories, this business is indeed a stable profit. Greedy for wealth and beauty, it's really suitable for King Rong, Qing Sang sneered in her heart. At the same time, she was also regretful about the 'jade' bangle given to Zhan Lu last night, which was actually high-quality white jade. If she had known that she would become a poor person, she wouldn't have been so generous yesterday.

  But on the surface, Qing Sang immediately returned to normal and said lightly: "The Empress Dowager is really thoughtful, Bao Ling feels extremely grateful."

  "From now on, the princess and the empress will be one family, why say such things?" Ma Xi hastily said. The surprise and anger that had just flashed across Qing Sang's face did not escape Ma Xi's eyes, but seeing how quickly Qing Sang recovered to normal, she couldn't help but admire her.

  No wonder the Empress Dowager said that things would go well after seeing Princess Xuan yesterday. This princess is indeed a clever person, knowing how to hide her true intentions.

  "What is this?" Qing Sang picked up a bracelet, only to see a white conch shell on it.

  "Princess, this is a white shell bangle. Legend has it that wearing this bangle can turn bad luck into good fortune and even lead to happiness in the afterlife." Ma Xi said, suddenly realizing she had mentioned death on the princess's happy day, which was most impolite. She hastily glanced at Qing Sang, seeing no unusual expression, only her carefully examining the bangle in her hand, before calming down.

  The northern Rong was not by the sea, but instead had a bracelet made of seashells. Qing Sang examined it carefully and found that this white "colored" shell should be a fossil, so to say that this bracelet is also valuable and has good implications, and wore it on his wrist.

  After dressing up, Qing Sang personally went to retrieve the "Hai Lan Bao" that he had obtained from Rong Wang Huo Ran yesterday, and then ordered Ma Xi to go with him to Da Fei Gu Li Ai Na.

  "Get up, get up." The Grand Empress Dowager Gu Li Ai hurried forward to help her up as soon as she saw Qing Sang bowing to her, "You look really good today. Our Baolong is truly a natural beauty, and looks good in any clothes."

  Guliya took Aila's hand and couldn't help but praise her, looking around for a moment before saying gently, "Come, sit next to me."

  Qingsang sat cleverly beside Guliya.

  "You don't have to come every day, we Beijiang are not as particular as the Xuan dynasty." Gu Lian'ai said.

  "Baoling is far away from home, and here there are only a few relatives, including the king and queen, Dag, so it's natural to come visit often." Qing Sang gazed at Guliya, smiling.

  Guliya saw her say this and said: "My child is also pitiful, married so far away at such a young age. If you have nothing to do, come every day, we can chat together."

  Qingsang smiled and nodded.

  "The empress doesn't know, but the princess is worried about you. She said that since she got up late and missed the time for paying respects, she didn't even have breakfast before coming." Ma Xi said from the side.

  "This won't do, no wonder I saw that your complexion isn't good. Wangmu, go get some red sugar and fruit. Also bring some freshly squeezed goat's milk for the princess." Guliai said to the maid beside her.

  "Goat's milk is no longer needed, after all, Bao Ling isn't used to drinking that." Qing Sang felt nauseous as soon as he heard the words "goat's milk".

  Guliya smiled and said to Wangmu who had just walked a few steps: "Then give the princess a cup of water."

  Wang Mu took orders and left.

  Before long, sweet red sugar fruit platters were served. Qing Sang was hungry and ate several in a row.

  "Slow down, look, you've starved my son." Guliai smiled indulgently.

  "I'm not hiding it from you, Your Highness," said Mahxi, "but last night the princess threw up and her stomach is empty!"

  "Oh? Why? Are you uncomfortable?" asked Guliai.

  Qing Sang didn't make a sound, she knew that Ma Xi was trying to bring up the topic and report last night's events to Gu Li Ai. Since that was the case, there was no need for her to say anything extra.

  He picked up his tea and pretended to choke on it, taking big gulps of water.

  "Bao Ling, eat slowly. Mother will have some later. Ma Xi, quickly tell me what's going on?" Gu Li Ai asked while sympathetically reminding Qing Sang and questioning Ma Xi.

  "Does the Grand Empress remember that Princess wanted a water caltrop from the slave of King Kuo's palace yesterday?" asked Mahi.

  "Doesn't it come naturally? How is it that Kalo can't bear to part with it?" Guliai asked.

  "The person was indeed delivered, but had been given a dumbing 'medicine', and was now useless, and had also ruined her looks, scaring the princess to vomiting." Ma Xi said.

  "Kuiluo is getting more and more outrageous. It's one thing to deal with slaves, but to scare Bao Ling as well? He's becoming more and more unreasonable." Gu Lian Ai said angrily.

  Qing Sang sipped water and nibbled on snacks, quietly watching and listening to the master and servant singing in harmony.

  "Now that she's no longer of use, keeping her in the mansion is also a hassle. It's better to get rid of her sooner rather than later, lest she scare the princess again." said Guliai Chongma Xi.

  Meixi didn't dare to agree immediately, and looked up at Qing Sang with inquiry. Since she saw Qing Sang finding Dr. Chu to treat Shuilu yesterday, she knew that Qing Sang would not give up on Shuilu, so when the Empress Dowager ordered her to dispose of Shuilu, she naturally did not dare to agree.

  Qing Sang saw Ma Xi remaining silent, instead looking at herself, understanding her thoughts. This Ma Xi is indeed a clever person, knowing when to do what and say what.

  Qing Sang put down the cup and said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your concern. It's just that Shui Li is really pitiful, and Bao Ling has a soft heart and can't bear to see her die like this. I've already ordered Dr. Chu to treat her, and I think she'll be able to save her life."

  Guliya saw her say so, and didn't force it. She turned around and said: "In that case, just keep her in your mansion. Since she has already ruined her looks, even if she's cured, she can't serve by your side anymore. Just let her do some rough work!"

  Qing Sang murmured "uh-huh" and agreed.

  After eating the dim sum, Qing Sang felt much better. He took out a beautiful small box from his pocket and placed it on the tea table.

  Guliya took a glance and saw that it was the box from yesterday's "Hai Lan Bao", she was startled, and asked: "What is this?"

  Qing Sang smiled and opened the box, a deep blue gemstone gleaming with luster under the sunlight shining through the window lattice.

  "Yesterday, Bao Ling was granted the 'Sea Blue Treasure' by Father King, which is worth a city. It's not something that Bao Ling deserves, so... please ask Mother Queen to apologize to Father King on behalf of Bao Ling and please don't blame Bao Ling." Qing Sang finished speaking and pretended to be worried, lowering her eyelids.

  Guliya stared at this "sea blue treasure", completely dazed.

  At first, after Duosai City was ceded to the Northern Rong, King Rong ordered people to deceive and rob the sacred stone "Hai Lan Bao" from Duosai City. Later, under the charm of Jialuo, he gave this rare treasure to her. Last night, seeing Qing Sang think of a way to snatch this treasure from Jialuo's hands, sweeping away Jialuo's prestige and momentum, it was really refreshing. Ever since Jialuo married King Rong, she had been giving her a hard time, but unfortunately, she was old and faded, already losing in appearance to the flourishing Jialuo. Later, Jialuo gave birth to a son, had her own mansion, while she only had a daughter who died of illness at the age of five. From then on, she completely lost her status in Huo Ran's heart. Helpless, she ordered people to search for beautiful women everywhere and put them in the mansion, hoping to entice King Rong to come to her mansion more often, but unfortunately, Huo Ran was just looking for novelty, and after a few days, he stayed at Jialuo's mansion every day again. In these two years, Jialuo's status has been increasing day by day, with the momentum of seizing her position as the main wife. If it weren't for her clan, Yan Clan, being the main force in the Northern Rong's conquests, Huo Ran would have abandoned her and made Jialuo the queen long ago.

  At this time, Guliyaer looked at this "Sea Blue Treasure" and suddenly felt a mix of emotions.

  "Mother, mother." Qing Sang called out softly.

  Guliya came back to her senses, smiled awkwardly and said: "Bao Ling is really sensible, the king is still in Meizhu's room, you can go over there later to return it to him personally."

  Qingsang smiled and said, "Bao Ling is worried that the king will blame him, so he asked Queen Mother for help. Given Queen Mother's relationship with the king, what she says about 'flower' the king will definitely listen to."

  Guliya smiled wryly, just about to speak, but saw Qing Sang smiling at her with a hint of intention, suddenly understanding that Qing Sang was helping her, wanting her to personally hand over this "Hai Lan Bao" to Rong Wang, in order to win his favor.

  Guliyaer smiled excitedly and put away this treasure.

  Qing Sang didn't say much more and stood up to leave.

  As soon as they left the palace gate, Qing Sang glanced at Ma Xi and asked on purpose: "Do you think it was right or wrong for me to give the gemstone to the Empress?"

  Mahi is also a very clever person, bowing her head and curtsying to Qing Sang, saying emotionally: "Mahi thanks the princess on behalf of the empress."

  Qing Sang looked at the top of Ma Xi's head and intuitively felt that Ma Xi's feelings for Guli Aye were very deep and intelligent. If she could make good use of her, she would definitely be able to help herself a lot.

  "Hai Lan Bao" and Duosai City are both mine, one day I will make sure that Duosai City and "Hai Lan Bao" return to their rightful owner. Qing Sang walked forward with a faint smile on his face.

  Ma Xi hurriedly followed behind. (This book is on the Qingyun list this week, those who have votes please give a vote, those who don't have votes please collect it, thank you everyone, muah muah...)