Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 706 - 704

Chapter 706: Chapter 704

By the time Xiao’er was fully satisfied, it was already evening.

While one was full, she was unbearably hungry.

Shangguan Xuanyi ordered someone to serve food.

"Has the Empress Dowager returned to the palace?"

"Hmm." Shangguan Xuanyi felt gloomy at the mention of the Empress Dowager and didn’t want to discuss it further.

The Emperor even gave him seven days off, so he could spend quality time at home with his doting wife, and earnestly work on starting a family.

However, the Empress Dowager, having several grandsons at her disposal, insisted on selecting him, who was newly wed and on his honeymoon, to escort her to Guanyin Temple.

It was clearly done on purpose!

Seeing his troubled expression, Xiao’er comforted him, "It’s okay. Our wedding caused such a huge commotion, so in the hearts of the commoners, I probably hold more importance than the Empress Dowager herself. She’s just jealous and hasn’t come out of it yet."

The Empress Dowager was naturally petty and prone to manipulation, that’s why she tries to create a rift between them.

After their wedding, Princess Ling’er frequented the palace to converse with the Empress Dowager.

At their tea ceremony, the Empress Dowager mockingly said to herself: "Who would have thought that the lady of Rui’an County is so popular among the common people, even surpassing me!"

Anyone could tell she was jealous!

Shangguan Xuanyi nodded, unwilling to ruin the sweet atmosphere with these discussions: "Is the zoo opening on the 26th? Right after the zoo opens, we’ll head for our honeymoon!"

At that time, they could do anything they wanted, and it would be just the two of them.

"Why don’t we go after the Emperor’s birthday? We can travel for a few years before coming back."

The honeymoon should follow immediately after the wedding. However, both had been busy, causing a delay. As it was already delayed, Xiao’er thought it would be better to sort everything out, travel for a year or two, and then return to the Imperial City.

Shangguan Xuanyi had previously promised to take her to every county and state he had visited.

Their excuse for the trip was to aid in the poverty eradication efforts in the areas within their jurisdiction. As the Emperor’s birthday was at the end of the year, they would have to return in the middle of their journey. Instead, Xiao’er suggested waiting for the Emperor’s birthday celebration to be over, then they can take their time to travel for three years.

"That sounds great!" Shangguan Xuanyi agreed immediately. "I’ll discuss it with the Second and Fourth Princes."

When they leave the Imperial City, one of them must stay to help the Emperor manage affairs. This was a condition set by the Emperor after they came of age.

"Alright!" Xiao’er nodded and laughed. "I think the Second Prince might throw a fit though. His wife is pregnant and not fit for long journeys."

Hearing this, Shangguan Xuanyi also burst into laughter.

Yes, it was wise to wait longer before having a child!

...

The day before the zoo opened, right after lunch, Xiao’er received news that all the villas in the hot spring resort were fully booked.

Xiao’er had anticipated this scenario.

Half a month ago, she had extensively advertised all over the country.

Parades were held in the Imperial City and neighboring counties featuring advertising cars specially designed by Xiao’er. These cars were converted from tricycles.

The walls of the cars were adorned with brightly colored advertisements, featuring tigers, pandas, monkeys, toucans, peacocks, and other animals, which were very eye-catching.

A group of ten cars, each with a different advertisement.

Each car also had a guy inside beating a drum to garner more attention.

Under such strong promotions, not just the residents of the Imperial City, but even the Emperor and the Empress Dowager knew that the zoo would open on the 26th.

Luckily, she had intentionally set the opening date of the hot spring resort a few days earlier.

She had guessed that people would travel from afar to see it.

Indeed, the day before the zoo opening, villas in the hot spring resort were filled up early in the morning!

Moreover, many people couldn’t find a place to stay and had to search nearby.

Du Yijin, with the silver earned from selling walnuts and renting out the hot springs, also built an inn nearby, which was completely booked by evening.

Those who couldn’t find a place to stay had to go to inns in the Imperial City.

Such heavy promotion required a good amount of silver, but the results were immediate, evident from the occupancy rates of the hot spring resort and other inns.

Xiao’er felt it was worth it!

Xiao’er could almost see a rain of copper coins from the sky, each of them clattering into her pocket.

Just as Xiao’er was immersed in her daydream of rolling in wealth, Yang Liu announced that the head maid from Cining Palace, who was well-learned, sought an audience.

Upon hearing this, Xiao’er’s face stiffened a bit. What was the Empress Dowager up to now?

What a killjoy!

"Let her in!"

The learned maid came in, respectfully bowed to Xiao’er and said, "Sixth Imperial Consort, the Empress Dowager sent this slave to invite you to the palace."

Xiao’er smiled and said, "There’s no need for such ceremony, do you know what the Empress Dowager wants with me?"

"This slave dare not speculate on the Empress Dowager’s thoughts, but Princess Ling’er is also accompanying the Empress Dowager today." The learned maid was one of the Empress Dowager’s most trusted maids. The Empress Dowager once revealed that in one or two years, she would bestow them on the princes as concubines.

With an eagerness to curry favor with the Sixth Prince’s Consort, the maid hoped to earn some good will for the future.

Again with Princess Ling’er! Upon hearing this, a cold light flashed in Xiao’er’s eyes, so fast no one could catch it. She glanced at Yang Liu, then smiled and said, "Please wait a moment then, I need to change my clothes."

"Your Highness is too kind, this slave cannot accept your kind words." The learned maid respectfully kowtowed.

Xiao’er didn’t say anything more, those polite words were said out of respect for the Empress Dowager.

Soon, Xiao’er had changed her clothes and entered the palace.

Cining Palace

Indeed, Princess Ling’er was by the Empress Dowager’s side, pretending to massage her legs.

Xiao’er bowed to the Empress Dowager, "Your servant pays respect to the Empress Dowager. May you be blessed, Empress Dowager."

Upon seeing Xiao’er, Princess Ling’er reluctantly rose to her feet and curtsied, "Ling’er greets the Sixth Imperial Consort."

After speaking, she sat back on the mat and resumed massaging the Empress Dowager’s legs.

The Empress Dowager smiled at Xiao’er and said, "No need for such formalities. Come sit with me and talk."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager!" The Empress Dowager never showed such warmth before. She’d rather the Empress Dowager remained cold! Xiao’er walked over and sat down, silently on high alert.

As soon as Xiao’er sat down, the Empress Dowager started to speak.

"I hear tomorrow’s the grand opening of your zoo?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao’er replied with a smile, "Answering the Empress Dowager, yes. I didn’t expect such a small matter would even concern the Empress Dowager."

"The matter has caused quite a stir in the city! I heard there are all kinds of animals inside, is that true?"

"Replying to the Empress Dowager, it’s not exactly every kind of animal, just common ones from the mountains and forests."

"You’re quite resourceful, even starting a zoo to earn silver! Although now that you’re the Sixth Prince’s Consort, best to focus less on such matters! It’s only right you focus on producing heirs for the royal family!"

"The Empress Dowager’s advice is wise, I will surely strive towards that!" Xiao’er said, going along with her.

Will surely strive? The corner of Empress Dowager’s mouth twitched slightly.

In her heart, Princess Ling’er cursed her for being shameless!

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