Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 245: One More

Chapter 245: Chapter 245: One More

Zong Yunqian took out a palm-sized brocade bag from his sleeve and handed it to the nanny beside him. The nanny was startled, "Is this for Her Majesty the Empress Dowager?"

Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s gaze was on the brocade bag, and the nanny, holding the bag respectfully, gave it to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Zong Yunqian, somewhat puzzled. Seeing that Zong Yunqian had no intention of speaking, she thought that even if it was an offering, shouldn’t he explain it?

Old Lady Zong was also startled; she had not anticipated her grandson suddenly presenting a gift at this time, and she became somewhat anxious. Old Lady Zong quickly glanced at the brocade bag, unable to discern anything, which made her even more anxious.

Giving gifts to those in higher positions was naturally not a matter to be taken lightly. If the gift was not well received, it could lead to disasters, even death. Yet her own grandson had taken the initiative without consulting anyone, which was really...

Still, the Empress Dowager restrained herself from asking and personally opened the brocade bag. A string of dark, glossy Buddha Beads caught the eye of Empress Dowager Yan Ping, who looked at them silently for a long time.

Old Lady Zong was growing increasingly anxious. At the very least, someone should explain what the item was. Was this meant for the Empress Dowager to guess? Moreover, since the Empress Dowager hadn’t spoken, Old Lady Zong suddenly felt that Her Majesty’s attitude implied dissatisfaction with the gift.

Indeed, although her grandson had been raised in luxury, he had never truly valued such things and always had an interest in odd and unique objects; this was indeed too risky.

The Buddha Beads were not large, fitting around a wrist in one loop. The Empress Dowager, accustomed to seeing various precious Buddha Beads, naturally saw that they were not made of any precious wood; she already possessed many beads made from agarwood. Even the tassel hanging from the necklace of beads was simply an agarwood carving of a coiling gourd. But in the next moment, Empress Dowager Yan Ping’s fingers trembled, and she sat up straight from her lazy posture, hardly daring to believe as she looked towards Zong Yunqian. Her expression was already filled with excitement and disbelief as she looked from Zong Yunqian to the object in her hands.

Old Lady Zong was surprised, but her heart slowly settled back into her chest. Such a reaction from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager indicated not just an appreciation of the gift but that it exceeded her expectations. This child Yunqian...

Now, Zong Yunqian began to speak.

"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager truly has discerning eyes. This is a magic artifact from the previous dynasty. I was fortunate to obtain it and am presenting it to someone destined to have it," Zong Yunqian said.

Everyone in the room was suddenly astonished by the string of Buddha Beads in the hands of the Empress Dowager. A magic artifact, left behind by a mage before passing away, encapsulated the entirety of their life’s work. Such objects were extremely rare and sought-after for their abilities to prolong life and protect one from malevolent influences.

"Yunqian is thoughtful," Empress Dowager Yan Ping expressed her delight without any concealment. She truly liked the gift.

"Heavenly Empress, this is a gesture of sincerity from our Zong Sheng Residence," Old Lady Zong immediately kowtowed and added.

"Alright, alright, dear sister you are thoughtful. Since that’s the case, I will grant Heir Zong a boon. Speak, is there any wish I can fulfill for you?" Empress Dowager Yan Ping said with a smile.

This was indeed a rare and sought-after treasure she had been considering for not just one or two years.

Upon hearing this, Old Lady Zong looked towards her grandson with great joy. Although it seemed a pity to give the artifact to the Empress Dowager, and it would have been better on her grandson, it had already been given away. She could only think about the matters to come.

Zong Yunqian raised his head and bowed again.

"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has already granted me a boon. Now, I have but a small request. I seek a hairpin from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager to serve as the betrothal gift when I marry in the future."

"Hahaha—" Upon hearing this, the few ladies present all laughed. Although Old Lady Zong felt the request was somewhat wasteful, making any unreasonable demand at this moment would not add glory to the situation.

"This child—" Old Lady Zong had already stood up with the help of her nanny, looking at her own grandson with a benevolent face. She always thought that her grandson didn’t care much for trifles, but now it seemed he was considerate and measured. Old Lady Zong was relieved.

"That’s easy," Empress Dowager Yan Ping said with a smile, in a very good mood, which even made her feel somewhat satisfied with this marriage arrangement.

Speaking of which, this marriage arrangement could also be considered beneficial to the Royal Family, for with Prince Duan present, now closely aligning with the Crown Prince, it wasn’t without some advantage.

Nanny Deng laughed and stepped back. At this moment, the ladies from prominent families slowly started to come over. Some had heard bits of the earlier conversation, while others hadn’t heard much. Yet, seeing Zong Yunqian well and fine, they couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.

After Old Lady Zong stood up, the nanny and Palace Maids had already invited the dispersed ladies from prominent families to come back to the banquet for flower viewing.

Empress Dowager Yan Ping was in high spirits, and looking at this flock of lovely ladies made her even happier. She was also engaging in spirited discussions with the Noble Ladies.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, our inexperienced girl isn’t worthy of such high praise from you."

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, we want to bask in your glow and ask Old Lady Zong for a cup of celebration wine," they said.

"Hahaha—"

"Yunqian, why isn’t your bride-to-be in sight? We in Nanzheng don’t cling to empty formalities. Go, have a meeting..."

Zheng Nianru didn’t expect Zong Yunqian to come in person, and having been out of sight for a while, she didn’t want to exhaust herself facing such a scene. And the nannies hadn’t expected Heir Zong to accompany Old Lady Zong personally either, so naturally, they hadn’t paid much attention to the seating of Princess Chao Ren.

By now, Zheng Nianru had already taken her place among the ladies at the end of the table, next to Xia Zhiqian, whom she found to be quite likable.

Xia Zhiqian smiled apologetically at Zheng Nianru, her gaze clear and ingenuous, with not a hint of other emotions. Zheng Nianru nodded in return, not initiating any conversation.

Nanny Deng had brought over the gift for Zong Yunqian, who was about to express his gratitude. Empress Dowager Yan Ping, however, was no longer as annoyed with Princess Chao Ren as before.

"Don’t be in a hurry to give thanks. Call your bride-to-be over here," Empress Dowager Yan Ping said with a laugh.

The Noble Ladies present were instantly flooded with mixed feelings. Wasn’t it said that the Empress Dowager held Princess Chao Ren in low esteem? Hadn’t it been said...

Old Lady Zong naturally knew, but at that moment, she thought that the Empress Dowager was giving face to the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family, and she felt even more grateful.

Although the ladies from prominent families didn’t dare to act rashly, their faces flushed and paled by turns. In such a setting, they were upstaged by Princess Chao Ren. The more vicious their ridicule had been earlier, the more embarrassed they felt now.

Zong Yunqian held the exquisitely carved box and stood up slowly, making his way toward Princess Chao Ren’s seat. This was a banquet set in the garden pavilion, with two long rows of tables extending to the end of the porch, filled with the ladies from the Aristocratic Families.

Thus, Zong Yunqian, under the complex gazes of the ladies, walked forth slowly. The intricately carved box in his hands gleamed with envy and jealousy in the eyes of the Aristocratic Family ladies.

Zheng Nianru frowned. She didn’t care for the things from Empress Dowager Yan Ping. Back when she had taken her seat at the top, she had burned all of the Empress Dowager’s things in one go, and anything that couldn’t be burned was smashed just as thoroughly.