Chapter 39: The Princess Consort Presents the Betrothal Gifts

"Second Old Madam," the Princess Consort greeted, her tone indifferent.

"Princess Consort, tomorrow is the day Zifeng presents his betrothal gifts. We should discuss how to handle the proceedings," the Second Madam said with a smile, explaining the purpose of her visit. Having pocketed ten thousand taels of silver, she had been kept busy these past few days, but she was nonetheless overjoyed.

"Since it is Zifeng's betrothal, it is naturally for you, his mother, to manage everything. What is there to discuss?" the Princess Consort asked, puzzled.

"Princess Consort, although our branch is part of Prince Rong’s estate, we are, after all, the second branch. If you and the Crown Princess were to personally accompany the gifts, I believe the Marquis of Ning’an’s estate would be more gratified, and it would better demonstrate the importance our estate places on this union," the Second Madam said, shamelessly persistent.

"The day after tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival; I have no time tomorrow," the Princess Consort replied, immediately grasping the woman's intent. She was being used as a prop for the sake of appearances.

"Sister-in-law, you must help us with this. You watched Zifeng grow up. If he gains standing in the Marquis's estate, it reflects well on all the descendants of our Prince’s estate." The Second Madam rarely addressed her as 'sister-in-law,' but to curry favor, she had cast aside all dignity and begun to act coquettishly.

"Princess Consort, you must make an appearance. From now on, the Marquis of Ning’an’s estate and our estate will be in-laws. This relationship must be nurtured. The Third Prince is already seventeen; our estate is his maternal family, and we will be his support in the future. As his aunt, you cannot act as if this is none of your concern. We must uphold these connections for his sake," the Second Old Madam demanded firmly.

"Second Old Madam, you should think carefully before you speak. Know what should be said and what should not. Our Prince Rong’s estate holds a hereditary title; we consider only the welfare of the people of Great Wei, and we are loyal only to Great Wei and the Emperor. We do not involve ourselves in other matters," the Princess Consort replied, her face chilling instantly.

"Fine, we shall not speak of the Third Prince. But as his eldest aunt, you must provide Zifeng with some face for his wedding, so that he may hold his head high before his future wife. The only reason the Marquis of Ning’an’s estate agreed to this match is because of the prestige of our Prince’s estate." The Second Old Madam realized she had overstepped and dared not mention the Third Prince again, though she knew full well why the Marquis was willing to marry his third daughter of the legitimate line to her grandson.

"Mother, let us help the Second Aunt. Once the Third Miss Yue marries in, it will be easier for us sisters-in-law to get along. Elder Sister-in-law, don't you agree?" Yu Chaoyang urged, pulling Yu Yuanzheng into the conversation. The Third Miss Yue in question was Yue Yuying, who was to be married into the Prince’s estate.

Yu Yuanzheng wanted to roll her eyes. Why drag her into it if she wanted to play the benefactor? Was this Third Miss such a pivotal figure? Did Yu Chaoyang want to establish ties early? Considering this possibility, Yu Yuanzheng began to formulate her own plans.

"Mother, why don't I accompany you?" Yu Yuanzheng suggested tentatively. Since the second branch had brought this up, the Princess Consort would likely find it difficult to refuse. If she didn't go, the second branch would surely petition the Prince for an order. As the two branches had not yet separated, the Princess Consort’s presence as the lady of the house would carry far more weight than the Second Madam’s. The Prince, as the head of the household, would certainly insist she go, driven by the interests of the entire estate. Hearing this, Yu Chaoyang looked displeased.

She had not intended for her to go! She, Yu Chaoyang, was the Crown Princess, not Yu Yuanzheng.

"Very well. Since you all feel my presence would add prestige, I shall grant you this favor. Zheng'er shall accompany me." The Princess Consort was showing great favor to her daughter-in-law; at the mere suggestion, she had changed her mind.

"Why should Ziqi’s wife go instead of the Crown Princess? She still has to look after Ziqi," the Second Madam protested, dissatisfied.

"The Crown Princess will go," the Second Old Madam commanded.

"Then let the Crown Princess go alone," the Princess Consort said, her face hardening once more. Though she had not made things difficult for Yu Chaoyang, she could not be without resentment given what the girl had done. These days, they merely maintained a facade of civility. As an elder and the mistress of the house, she could not lower herself to bicker with a younger relative, but that did not mean she was indifferent.

Seeing the Princess Consort’s firm stance, the Second Old Madam and the Second Madam dared not say more. The Princess Consort’s presence was undoubtedly more prestigious than that of the Crown Princess.

"Then the Princess Consort and Ziqi’s wife shall go," the Second Madam conceded. Yu Chaoyang shot a hateful glare at Yu Yuanzheng. Such a prime opportunity had been snatched away by her! In her previous life, when the Third Miss Yue entered the estate, she had received great affection from the Second Old Madam and was encouraged to befriend the then-Crown Princess, Lady Nanhua. Later, at various banquets, the two sisters-in-law had worked in perfect tandem, navigating the circle of noblewomen with ease. Now that she was the Crown Princess, she naturally wanted such an ally. One had to realize that the position of Crown Princess of the Prince Rong’s estate was a target for jealousy. With an ally, she would not be at a disadvantage in public gatherings.

"The Crown Princess will go as well," the Second Old Madam insisted, ignoring the Second Madam’s signals.

The Princess Consort looked at Yu Chaoyang, who gazed back at her with eager eyes. "Mother, please, let me accompany you," Yu Chaoyang pleaded piteously.

"If you wish to go, then go, but do not speak out of turn," the Princess Consort agreed. The focus of the betrothal would be on her, not the Crown Princess; she was merely an attendant.

The Second Old Madam and the others achieved their goal and departed.

The next day, the fourth of the fifth lunar month, Yu Yuanzheng took only her maid, Ziyue, and arrived at the main courtyard to wait for the Princess Consort to head to the Marquis of Ning’an’s estate. Jiang Hua had already left the estate to teach others how to make herbal pills. Yu Yuanzheng felt that with only two maids, she was slightly shorthanded. She would have to ask Nanny Ye to select two diligent and loyal girls from the service staff to be promoted.

The second branch had prepared twenty-eight chests of betrothal gifts, which was quite respectable for someone of Shangguan Zifeng’s status. When the Prince’s estate had presented gifts to the Earl of Yong’an for the Crown Princess, it had only been thirty-six chests.

When the time came, the Princess Consort had the guards and servants carry the gifts to the Marquis of Ning’an’s estate, which was located in the same district. The Marquis’s estate had long since sent people to wait at the gates. Upon hearing of the Princess Consort’s arrival, the Old Marchioness and the Marchioness personally came out to welcome her.

"Greetings to the Princess Consort of Rong." The two women were about to kneel, but the Princess Consort stopped them.

"Old Marchioness, Marchioness, there is no need for such formalities. Henceforth, our two houses will be in-laws; we must not be so distant."

"The Princess Consort’s personal visit truly brings light to our humble home," the Old Marchioness said with a smile, taking the Princess Consort’s hand and leading her inside. Once they were seated in the main hall, Yu Yuanzheng and Yu Chaoyang stepped forward to pay their respects properly.

"Excellent, truly excellent. Both of the Princess Consort’s daughters-in-law are so refined." The Old Marchioness was a seasoned veteran; knowing what had transpired within the Prince’s estate, she was careful not to heap excessive praise upon the Crown Princess alone, choosing instead to compliment both.

"Come, I have nothing of great value, but as this is our first meeting, please accept these small tokens as a gesture of goodwill." The Old Marchioness took two boxes from a maid and handed them to the two women. Yu Yuanzheng accepted hers respectfully, returned to her seat, and had her maid put it away. Yu Chaoyang, however, turned slightly to steal a peek inside.

Her subtle actions did not go unnoticed. Based on this alone, the difference in their upbringing was immediately apparent.