Chapter 346: Banquet Gift-Giving

The dependent Sui Sui rubbed Mother Consort's hand.

Her soft, chubby little face feels really soft to the touch, so comfortable.

Even Princess Consort of Qi found it hard to let go.

Feng Xuanrui and the others also didn't have class today; each dressed up like little peacocks heading to a beauty pageant.

Feng Xuanrui even more so chose a sky‑blue robe with ulterior motive, striving to look ever more like his sister.

He hoped to reach the point where a single glance would tell everyone they were siblings.

After seeing Feng Xuanrui's scheming, Feng Xuanbo silently cursed.

However, he hadn't lost much either.

He chose a tender‑green outfit, but the jade pendant at his waist was cyan, looking very much like his sister's forehead ornament.

After the family had a simple breakfast, they got busy.

Both Consort Ren Ce and Consort Meng Ce needed to come out and help today.

Ren Shu Han and the others had already returned to the residence yesterday, preparing for today's banquet.

Doctor Liu and the others worried that Sui Sui would have no one by her side, making them even more anxious.

So they tidied up early and brought their granddaughters over.

With Shen Hua Tang and Liu He Meng by her side, seeing so many people, Sui Sui indeed felt much less nervous.

When children play, they forget about stress and such.

So Liu He Meng took Sui Sui to play in the outer room for a while.

Only when the crowd grew did they bring Sui Sui back.

Today is Sui Sui's small identity‑affirming banquet, and she needs to follow Princess Consort of Qi.

Naturally, among the clans there are those who look down on Sui Sui.

Among them, some still harbored ideas: if Prince Qi failed to obtain a daughter, they still had a chance to send over an unimportant maiden from their own residence to gain favor and glory.

Unfortunately, Sui Sui's arrival shattered their fantasies.

They wouldn't think that if Prince Qi truly wished, he would have already chosen a maiden to raise among the clans.

They only felt that Sui Sui's arrival had stolen their opportunity.

However, most of these people are impoverished clan members, lacking status.

They also dare not openly target Sui Sui, only whispering sarcastic remarks behind her back.

They even maliciously thought that if Sui Sui were left alone, they could give the child a good fright.

Even great wealth and honor require the fate to receive them.

That child looks frail and unable to stand; letting her stay in the Qi Wang Fu is a waste—better she died early to free up space.

Some people maliciously thought, alas, there's hardly any chance.

Princess Consort of Qi dotes on Sui Sui as if she were the apple of her eye; if not for her lack of strength, she would even want to hold her the whole time.

But that's not really possible.

Not to mention her insufficient stamina; just saying Sui Sui has recently gained flesh, she's not easy to hold either.

However, though she can't hold her, Princess Consort of Qi can still take her hand.

In short, the child cannot leave her side.

This left several watching clan members disappointed and gritting their teeth.

The guests had not yet gathered, and the banquet had not officially begun.

However, shocks have come in wave after wave.

First, from His Majesty's side, people were sent to personally deliver congratulatory gifts—a especially large box, and no one knows what treasure lies inside.

After His Majesty came the Empress Dowager; they actually sent the gifts separately.

Compared to His Majesty, the Empress Dowager's gifts were even more extravagant.

The palace servants presenting the gifts loudly read out the gift list.

From ornaments to fabrics, from jewelry to land.

By the end, many had become numb.

There were even properties!!!! Even if it's a residence on Changning Street, that's still a house on the prosperous main thoroughfare of Jing Cheng!

Each was extremely valuable, yet the Empress Dowager actually bestowed two!! The few clan members who were already jealous to the point of distortion now had red eyes, inwardly shouting: 'What gives her the right? What gives her the right?' The Empress Dowager's gifts were too many; the palace servants merely chanting the gift list took almost the time to finish a cup of tea.

Everyone listening to all these good things couldn't help but mutter: 'Why?'

Why does the Empress Dowager favor this young county lord so much?

Could it be……

Is that child really born of Prince Qi's liaison outside?

Look at those eyes—they truly resemble him.

It might indeed be so.

If she's truly his own, loving her however much wouldn't be excessive; thinking this, those who had been jealous to the point of red eyes relaxed their thoughts again.

If she's truly his own, there's no solution; no matter how they try, they can't compete.

So, let's just give up.

After His Majesty and the Empress Dowager's gifts were presented, the Empress in the palace also expressed her stance.

After the Empress came Noble Consort He!

Noble Consort He's gifts were in no way inferior to the Empress's.

Many even secretly thought that if it weren't for saving face for the Empress, Noble Consort He could probably have given even more extravagant gifts.

The guests, however, did not connect the earlier incident of saving He Dai with Sui Sui's identity.

They merely thought it was Noble Consort He and the Empress dueling from afar, so they deliberately sent extra gifts, intending to make the Empress feel uncomfortable.

After all, the two consorts have been at it for years, their tactics never cease.

They have seen this kind of situation before; it's not the first time.

So, they just watch the show.

If they really got involved, they'd be His Majesty's consorts, and His Majesty would love to watch them fight for him until they're bloodied—but they can't! After the Empress and the Consort comes Consort Shu, who is quite proper; everyone nods, thinking that sounds normal.

Then, when it came to Consort Jing, things seemed to change again.

How come the gifts sound much more valuable? I've never heard that Consort Jing had close ties with the Qi Wang Fu. Consort Jing is, among the consorts, the one who least likes to quarrel; many even think…

In Consort Jing's eyes, His Majesty is not as important as the herbs she grows.

But such thoughts are best kept to themselves; speaking them out could cost them their heads.

After Consort Jing comes Consort Li, who is also proper.

Consort Zhuang's side also shows no problems; everything is proper.

The other consorts and beauties also give gifts that are pretty much the same.

It's normal for some consorts to not give anything; they are low-ranked, out of favor, have little spare money, and naturally don't want to waste money just to make a show of existence.

Then the congratulatory gifts from the Qing Wangfu arrived.

Prince Qing himself came in person, radiating killing intent, scaring the clan members who still harbored petty thoughts into shrinking their necks, each wishing they could just crouch on the spot to avoid being seen by Prince Qing.

Prince Qing also sent a lot of gifts—not too much to surpass His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, but about the same.

Prince Qi and Prince Qing are on good terms, so such a gesture is understandable to everyone.

Then, the Da Zhang Gong Zhu Fu also sent luxurious congratulatory gifts.

After hearing that, everyone went numb again.

So what?

Does this young county princess really deserve to be so highly regarded by so many? Why?

What gives them the right?

The clan members, frightened into shrinking their necks and afraid to look further, were puzzled, muttering, and dazed.

After the Da Zhang Gong Zhu Fu came the Fu Guo Gong Fu, Cheng Guo Gong Fu, Song Fu, Meng Fu, and the like.

These all have some marital ties with the Qi Wang Fu; sending heavy gifts can be seen as mutual affection between the households, giving each other face.

But!!!

Lord He of the Honglu Temple, why does your household still bring such a heavy gift? What relation do you have with the Qi Wang Fu?

Sending such a heavy gift?

Even flattery doesn't go this far! A few sycophantic clan members gritted their teeth and muttered darkly: 'You're bribing the prince; they'll find an censor to impeach you!!!' Second watch.