She Holds the World After Being Reborn
Chapter 151: Asking for a Bonus, Li Chengyuan Spends Generously

Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Asking for a Bonus, Li Chengyuan Spends Generously

Zhang Nian’s words elicited sneers from many of the noble ladies present.

Even Wang Keren, Miss Wang of the Wang Family, who usually got on well with her, frowned subtly.

Wang Keren had felt uncomfortable about Zhang Nian going to compete for the title of the Seventh Prince’s consort yesterday.

Today, her sycophantic fawning over Li Chengyuan, being excessively obsequious, sparked some criticism from Wang Keren.

"Daughters of small families without rules or breeding who, after receiving the Emperor’s personal seal, think they can mix with high society," Wang Keren thought scornfully.

The ladies of the Capital City were not to be trifled with, and Li Chengyuan’s actions today were likely to have offended all of them.

Upon hearing Zhang Nian’s remarks, Li Chengyuan showed a shy smile.

"Since everyone wishes to hear, Princess Yaochi will humbly comply."

Li Chengyuan stood up and recited several poems from her mind, each one meticulously crafted, to the astonishment of all.

"Princess truly deserves the title of talented lady," Zhang Nian flattered immediately.

Yan Wanqing savored the poems recited by Li Chengyuan, pondering with a thoughtful expression.

They were indeed good poems.

Diverse in style, brilliant in literary grace, yet she wondered last time, how could a young woman, who never left her home, convey the battlefield’s slaughter and solitude so vividly?

"Is it really as she told the Emperor, that she met a highly accomplished sage in her dreams?"

If Li Chengyuan indeed had a sage’s guidance, then do immortals truly exist in this world?

Yan Wanqing, who had never before believed in such superstitions, had been reborn, the best evidence of such phenomena.

If that was the case,

She would need to reorganize her strategy...

As she contemplated, voices from outside filtered in; blocks of ice carried into the hall by the little eunuchs dressed in blue, and as soon as the lids were removed, the room turned significantly cooler.

The sight of four large blocks of ice made all the noble ladies exclaim in surprise.

Li Chengyuan had thought at most she would have one basin, which would have been a great honor already.

But to her surprise, there were four large blocks.

She knew how rare ice was in ancient times; that morning, when they were preparing desserts, they couldn’t obtain a single block and had to settle for cooling them in well water to achieve even a semblance of the desired effect.

Yet the Empress waved her hand, and there were four large blocks.

The favor on display was clear to everyone.

Wang Keren laughed, "Ice is scarce. The Empress only got eight blocks this year, yet she has sent four for the Princess’s banquet. What great prestige you enjoy, Princess."

This wasn’t about Li Chengyuan’s prestige at all.

Anyone with clear eyesight knew that it was Yan Wanqing who held the prestige.

If it weren’t for Yan Wanqing sending her personal maidservant to visit Li Chengyuan’s household, perhaps the ice wouldn’t have arrived by now.

Li Chengyuan, looking crestfallen, flashed a look of jealousy.

All the attention, previously on her, was now being diverted to Yan Wanqing.

She sneered inwardly.

Enjoy your pride for a little while longer. What does it matter if you are of noble status or full of schemes? Can you defy fate?!

There was no need to vie over these trivialities with someone whose days were numbered; all she needed was to exploit her remaining time to extract the last bit of value.

Thinking this, Li Chengyuan felt slightly relieved.

"The male guests are coming!" a Palace Maid suddenly shouted.

Amidst the growing clamor outside, they saw the men of the Capital City approaching, and the noble ladies quickly covered their faces with fans or handkerchiefs, yet couldn’t resist sneaking peeks.

Seeing that all the male guests had arrived, Li Chengxiang believed the time was right. He pulled a scroll from within his sleeve, "Commandery Princess, this is from the Empress."

Yan Wanqing glanced at him, a hint of appreciation flashing in her eyes.

Sure enough, he was outstanding at seizing the moment—a skill he was famous for in the Capital City.

Yan Wanqing took the scroll from his hand and slowly unfurled it in front of everyone, a smile touching the corners of her lips.

"What did the Empress say?" Li Chengyuan nervously edged closer to ask.

Yan Wanqing gave her a look and said, "The Empress is praising you."

On hearing this, Li Chengyuan’s face brightened with joy.

Then she heard Yan Wanqing continue, "The selection banquet yesterday was too hasty and did not go as well as desired. Who would have expected Princess Yaochi to possess such magnanimity to spontaneously organize another banquet for these noble ladies to find suitable grooms, truly displaying virtue and goodness. Therefore, she has sent four large blocks of ice for Your Highness to use at your discretion."

Li Chengyuan felt something was amiss upon hearing these words, her brows slightly furrowed, "Is that all she said?"

"There’s more." Yan Wanqing paused, then continued under the expectant gaze of the audience, "The Empress is mindful of the noble ladies’ troubles, and so today, everyone who attends the banquet can receive a gift from Your Highness upon leaving. I, the Commandery Princess, will witness for you. If Princess Yaochi is stingy and refuses, you can all come to me with your complaints."

At the end of these words, the noble ladies couldn’t help but chuckle, the atmosphere instantly warming up.

Only Li Chengyuan stood with a stiff face, silent.

Seeing this, Yan Wanqing teased, "Could it be that Your Highness is reluctant?"

"How could that be?" Li Chengyuan’s heart ached.

Zhang Nian then added, "Princess Yaochi has always been generous. Just yesterday, the Emperor rewarded her with no less than ten cases of jewels. Today is just a small celebration; ladies, please don’t imagine the Princess to be so tight-fisted."

Zhang Nian, this fool!

Li Chengyuan cursed inwardly.

It’s not her own wool that’s being shorn; she knows nothing about it.

She had practically invited all the noble ladies who participated in the selection for the Seventh Prince’s consort.

With about a dozen of them, how much were they going to take from her gifts?

Li Chengyuan’s heart was bleeding.

Suddenly, her gaze landed on Li Chengxiang, who had just taken out the scroll.

Earlier or later, but he had to wait until all the male guests had arrived to present it.

In front of the noble ladies, she could be seen as mean, but she couldn’t afford to leave a bad impression on these men who would be the backbone of the court in the future.

Thinking this, Li Chengyuan forced a smile through gritted teeth.

"What are you talking about, Commandery Princess? Joy shared is delight doubled. I’m only seeking a bit of celebration. If we can match a few couples today, that would also count as merit in the records of Turquoise Pool."

"Worthy of being the Princess, truly living up to the words ’virtuous and good,’" Yan Wanqing complimented deliberately from the side.

Li Chengyuan, unable to voice her troubles, kept smiling stiffly.

No matter what, the banquet had to start.

It was just a bit of money, but if it could make these noble ladies give up on their designs for the Seventh Prince, it was worth it.

However, Li Chengyuan could have never anticipated that not only the Empress was stirring the pot today, but even the Emperor, who usually kept to himself, deeply engrossed in seeking immortality, had unexpectedly become interested and summoned all the officials over.

As the banquet began and most of the young, promising officials left, only some idlers and younger ones remained.

The noble ladies wouldn’t even give them a second glance.

Li Chengyuan was so angry that her makeup nearly came off in layers.

On the other side,

The Emperor sat in front of a desk, as a troop of ministers kneeled uniformly before him, without allowing them to rise even after a good while had passed since serving tea.

The young ministers were fine, but pity those old ones who, with their brittle bones, also had to endure the Emperor’s rage.

"Not only is there a war in the north, now the west is also sending out distress signals! These vermin dare to rise up against Dawei, this is absolutely intolerable!"

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