Phoenix Reborn: the Prime Minister’s Scheming Daughter - Chapter 375

Previously, Baili Qingcang was angry that the princes were misbehaving and competing for power and profit while disregarding the royal family’s dignity. He had intended to use this matter to knock some senses into their heads. However, after asking them the reasons, he was full of disappointment.

The Crown Prince gave the Noble Consort the gift that had been intended for the Empress. The Third Prince used his deceased wife’s dowry shamelessly. The Fourth Prince even deceived the western merchants by trading the useless items for the precious mirror and screen. No matter whether what they said was true or false, they had embarrassed the royal family. Was this something the princes should do?!

Noble Consort Li was covered in a cold sweat. She was so shocked that her hands and feet went soft. She leaned back in the chair in order not to slide down. “Your Majesty, this matter…”

Baili Qingcang frowned and glanced at her. There was intense coldness and warning in his eyes. Noble Consort Li suddenly stopped and swallowed the words that were about to come out of her mouth. She could not afford to lose the Emperor’s favor, or the Third and Fourth Princes would be in a more dangerous situation!

The Third Prince and the Fourth Prince knelt on the ground, feeling their faces burning in shame. Just now, they had come up with an excuse due to the urgency of the matter. Only when they thought about it now did they feel humiliated and embarrassed.

Baili Qingcang picked up the teacup and slowly sipped the tea. After a long time, he put down the teacup. “Alright, get up. It’s good that everything is clear now. I hate people deceiving me the most.”

The first sentence made the princes heave a sigh of relief, but the second half of his remarks sent chills down their spines. He hated people deceiving him the most. It was a warning from Father Emperor. He knew that they were lying, but he didn’t expose them because so many people were present.

The originally lively banquet suddenly became a bit awkward and depressed. Baili Qingcang glanced at everyone. “Today is Noble Consort’s birthday banquet. Everyone, don’t be reserved. Enjoy the flowers and wine.”

“Yes.” No one dared to disagree, and the banquet immediately returned to its previous liveliness.

Noble Consort Li forced herself to sit in her seat. Listening to the compliments below, she felt a sense of anxiety rising from the bottom of her heart, making her more and more restless. After a while, she recomposed herself and implied, “Your Majesty, actually, I have one more thing to ask you today.”

“What is it?” Baili Qingcang turned to look at her, his eyes suppressing an unspeakable impatience.

Noble Consort Li looked at Lin Feiran and pulled her to her side. “Your Majesty should know that this girl will be married to the Great Yue Kingdom in a few months. Unfortunately, she was spoiled by the Lin Family, and her etiquette is all over the place. Just now, Consort Lan said that Princess Zhaohua’s politeness and etiquette are the best among the ladies in the royal family. The two of them are about the same age too. I want to trouble Princess Zhaohua to teach Feiran in terms of etiquette and manners.”

Before Shen Ninghua could react, Baili Qingcang frowned. “No, this is not appropriate. Ninghua is a princess, not a nurse who teaches others the rules and etiquette. Besides, she has two children to take care of. They are young, and they are clingy at this age…”

“Yes, I know, but after thinking carefully for a long time, I can’t find a better candidate than Princess Zhaohua. Her Highness is intelligent and resourceful. As long as Feiran can learn a little from her, she is able to learn to be independent and mature when she is married to the Great Yue Kingdom later,” Noble Consort Li remarked, and her face could not help but reveal a trace of deep worry.

Lin Feiran quickly knelt down with a thump. “Your Grace, I’m sorry for making you worry about me.”

After hearing what Noble Consort Li said, Baili Qingcang thought carefully about this possibility. Shen Ninghua was indeed smart, and she was not as narrow-minded as other women. If Lin Feiran really learned some of her abilities, she could be able to live happily in the Great Yue Kingdom. This way, the relationship between the Da’an Kingdom and the Great Yue Kingdom would be more stable and peaceful.

“Ninghua, what do you think about this matter?”

Shen Ninghua frowned slightly. This kind of question indicated that the Emperor had already made a decision. He probably wouldn’t accept her refusal at this moment. “I’m at your disposal, Father Emperor.”

Baili Qingcang frowned and pondered his option while turning back to look at Lin Feiran. He had to carefully think about whether this young girl was worthy of Shen Ninghua’s personal guidance.

Judging from his expression, Noble Consort Li knew that the Emperor mostly agreed with her suggestion, so she quickly denoted, “Your Majesty, I know that I’m putting you and Princess Zhaohua in a difficult situation. I wanted to find some nurses to guide her at first, but they are servants, after all. Even if their lessons are right, what they teach may not be suitable in the imperial court.”

Noticing that Baili Qingcang frowned a little lesser now, she continued, “Also, I’ve thought about it. It’s obviously inappropriate to let Feiran go to Royal Prince Yi Mansion to learn the lessons, so Princess Zhaohua may need to spend two to four hours of her time every day at my palace to teach Feiran. It will only take one month. When Feiran learns well, I will definitely offer a generous gift to thank Her Highness.”

Seeing that Baili Qingcang was still a little hesitant, Noble Consort Li glanced at Consort Lan and gave her a signal. Consort Lan said with a smile, “Her Grace is so thoughtful and considerate. We pale in comparison. I’ve heard people praise Princess Zhaohua before, saying that although she is Your Majesty’s adopted daughter, she is not inferior to the other princesses of the Da’an Kingdom. In fact, she looks like a well-educated royal princess. I’ve been yearning to interact with her for a long time, but I’ve never had the chance to do so. When Her Highness is in the palace in the future, I will visit her frequently.”

Shen Ninghua sneered secretly as she sized Consort Lan up with her cold gaze. Consort Lan was really something and got to the point. To put it bluntly, she was implying that although Shen Ninghua had the title of a princess, she was not a real princess, so it was appropriate for her to teach the young lady of the aristocratic family some manners.

Hearing Concubine Lan’s words, Baili Qingcang finally nodded. “Well, in that case, Ninghua, I have to trouble you.”

Shen Ninghua stood up and bowed. Her long eyelashes covered her calm dark eyes. “Yes, I will obey your order.”

Noble Consort Li finally revealed a smile and smiled at Shen Ninghua. “That’s great. Feiran, hurry and thank Princess Zhaohua.”

Lin Feiran hurriedly stepped forward and bowed. Her face was full of gratitude. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

When the banquet ended and Noble Consort Li returned to Changqiu Palace, her face suddenly became gloomy. Nurse Wei carefully stepped forward. “Your Grace, are you still angry about what happened today?”

Noble Consort Li was silent for a long time. She suddenly swept the things on the dressing table in front of her to the ground. precious pearl hairpins and ornaments were scattered all over the place. A few pearls the size of longan rolled around on the ground. Nurse Wei felt heartache when she saw the scene. She could trade the pearls for quite an amount of money…

“How can I not be angry? Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua ruined my birthday!” Noble Consort Li’s eyes were burning with anger. She originally wanted to use this banquet to establish her prestige, but she didn’t expect that she would be humiliated!

Nurse Wei trembled and hurriedly comforted, “Perhaps the situation is not as serious as you imagined, Your Grace. His Majesty did not seem to be very angry. Moreover, he left after Your Grace’s birthday banquet ended. His Majesty showed up on the other concubines’ birthday, but he never stayed until the end of the banquet.”

Hearing this, Noble Concubine Li felt slightly delighted. “After Zhao Huiying died, His Majesty did not have any intention of electing another Empress. Although I’m in charge of the harem, I am just a Noble Consort. I thought of using this chance to climb up the ladder, but… His Majesty was indignant, and I’m afraid that he wanted to warn me too. Father’s move is in vain.”

“Your Grace, there is a long road ahead. His Majesty will always see who is really good eventually. Moreover, you are at the top in the harem now. Why are you in a hurry? Maybe others will be happy to win a small battle, but the winner will have the last laugh.”

Noble Consort Li sighed and gently stroked the hair at the corner of her forehead. The woman in the mirror was gorgeous, and her black hair was as silky as a waterfall. “You are right. The winner has the last laugh. When Zhao Huiying was alive, I was so humble and reserved, and I still gave birth to two sons. If I could survive such an ordeal, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Seeing the change in her expression, Nurse Wei breathed a sigh of relief. “Your Grace has a clear mind. It’s good that you can understand the circumstances. However, why did Your Grace suddenly change your plan today? Didn’t you say that you wanted to deal with Princess Zhaohua…”

“Didn’t you see what happened at the banquet?! The Third Prince and Fourth Prince have caused trouble. If I didn’t restrain myself and attacked Shen Ninghua instead, it would end up even worse. Also, I’ve forced Shen Ninghua to come to the palace, haven’t I? She’ll spend a month here. I’m sure I can come up with a good plan to act.”

Nurse Wei smiled and flattered, “Yes, Your Grace has thought things through. You’re right.”

Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua, who had returned to the mansion, were also thinking about this matter.

“Ninghua, why do you think that Noble Consort Li suddenly insists that you enter the palace?”

Shen Ninghua removed the pearl hairpin on her head and looked at him through the bronze mirror. “What else? I think she’s up to no good. You’ve embarrassed her sons today. As their mother, she will definitely do something to avenge them.”

“Humph, now that Zhao Huiying was gone, she took the chance and exposed herself. Isn’t she afraid that Father Emperor will punish her as a warning to others?”

“She isn’t afraid until she is tied under the guillotine. Now, I think all she can see is the bright and promising future ahead instead of the crack and abyss under her feet!”

Baili Junyi could not help but worry. “Although we have people in the palace, it is beyond our reach. You have to go into the palace every day to be Lin Feiran’s tutor. I am afraid…”

Shen Ninghua smiled. “I will bring Qing Que with me.”

“Qing Que?”

Shen Ninghua smiled slyly. “I am going to the palace to teach Lin Feiran the imperial rules and manners. Do you want me to personally demonstrate how to kneel and bow? Naturally, someone has to do it for me. Don’t you think Qing Que is very suitable for this task?”

Baili Junyi couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, Qing Que is very suitable.”