Su Li, carrying the gift for Consort De, rode in a carriage with Jun Mo into the palace.
Upon arriving at Consort De's palace, Su Li was about to curtsy when Consort De joyfully pulled her close, saying, "There's no need for such formalities."
Consort De led her to sit beside her on the seat of honor.
"This Princess has heard all about it, Li'er. You are truly remarkable. You have brought glory to us women. Even the Emperor sighed, saying Minister Su truly raised a fine daughter, and how fortunate it was that our Imperial Family claimed you first."
Recalling the Emperor's proud tone when he said those words, Consort De felt both amused and a touch of pride.
Having such an outstanding woman as her daughter-in-law made her look at her own son with an extra three points of favor.
"Your Ladyship, this is something I chose for you in the border city. It's nothing precious, but please see if Your Ladyship likes it." Su Li took a small box from Si Qin's hands and presented it to Consort De.
Consort De smiled, "You child, you didn't forget to bring something for this Princess even when you were away."
She took the box and slowly opened it. Inside was a set of finger guards.
The finger guards were made of enamel, with intricate chasing and inlay techniques, all exquisitely crafted. The patterns flowed gracefully from the base to the tips of the fingers, natural and smooth. The back was openwork, not sealed.
Consort De tried them on and found them light and breathable—truly a good item for summer.
The set on her hand made her fingers appear even more slender and noble.
"Li'er, you are so thoughtful. This Princess loves these finger guards!" Consort De wore them, turning her hand left and right, reluctant to take them off.
"Your Ladyship, I heard His Highness mention that you adore lotuses. Your Ladyship, look, when you bring them together, don't they resemble a lotus?" Su Li explained with a smile.
Consort De looked, surprised. "They really do!"
She then glanced at her son, who had been sitting below without speaking, and said, "You were thoughtful too."
Jun Mo finally found an opening to speak, smiling, "As long as Mother Consort likes them."
Consort De looked at Jun Mo and quietly asked, "I heard you brought back Sixth Prince?"
Jun Mo nodded. "Yes, his ashes will be handled by Imperial Father."
Consort De sighed. "Your Imperial Father is growing old. Sixth Prince's matter truly angered him terribly. You mustn't provoke him like that again."
Jun Mo said, "This son has always been the most obedient and filial. Mother Consort, why do you say such a thing?"
Consort De glared at him playfully. "Speaking of obedience and filial piety, the Crown Prince is impeccable; that's thanks to Empress's excellent guidance. Among you brothers—you, Third Prince, and... one after another, you give people headaches. The princes are like this, and so are the two princesses. It's fortunate the Emperor is magnanimous and a good father. They say children are debts from a past life that must be repaid in this one, and that saying is absolutely true."
Su Li listened, and indeed, it seemed true. She even felt a weary heart on behalf of the Emperor.
Jun Mo laughed. "Mother Consort, if that's truly the case, then this life, you mustn't finish repaying them all. In the next life, you must still be this son's mother."
Consort De laughed heartily. Though this son could sometimes be a headache, in her heart, he had always been her pride.
The group chatted in the main hall. Seeing that it was getting late, Consort De said to Jun Mo, "I need to take Li'er to Empress's palace. You can go to your Imperial Father's side by yourself."
Su Li rose to help Consort De, and Jun Mo also took his leave.
Consort De led Su Li to the Empress's palace, where Lan Yu's sisters and Consort Xian with her daughter, Jun Wan, were also present.
"Greetings to Empress."
"Greetings to Consort De."
The group exchanged greetings, and Empress smiled, "Consort De has arrived. Come, quickly, have a seat."
Consort De walked over and sat down, with Su Li standing beside her.
Empress said gently, "Li'er, you sit too. There's still some time before the banquet, you'll get tired standing. Consort De, don't you feel pity for her?"
Su Li curtsied. "Thank you, Your Ladyship."
Su Li walked over and sat beside Lan Yan.
In this vast Imperial Capital, aside from her own sister, Lan Yan knew no one else.
Seeing Su Li, she was naturally pleased.
Lan Yan smiled at her, and Su Li returned the smile.
Lan Yu also turned and offered Su Li a friendly smile, and Su Li nodded in return.
From above, Consort Xian's voice drifted down, "Your finger guards are quite unique. The pattern is truly beautiful."
Consort De slowly extended her delicate hand, opening it like a blooming lotus.
"These were given to me by Li'er. This child is truly thoughtful," Consort De's words held an unconcealed hint of pride.
Empress smiled, "In the past, for palace banquets, you wouldn't come even if invited. Now that Li'er is here, you're willing to leave your palace?"
"With Li'er here, the banquet won't be as dull as usual."
Empress nodded in agreement. She still remembered the astonishing competition between Su Li and the Seventh Princess of Northern Flame.
Consort Xian looked at Su Li and said, "I heard Princess Changning disguised herself as a man and went to Lan'an, living in the military camp. Truly a woman no less capable than a man."
Consort De's face darkened, about to erupt in anger.
Su Li smiled. "Consort Xian, this humble one did go to Lan'an, but I did not live in the military camp. I lived in the City Lord's Residence."
At this point, Lan Yan spoke up, "That's right, Princess Changning and this subject shared a courtyard."
Empress suppressed her smile and glanced at Consort Xian.
"If Li'er hadn't gone to Lan'an, who knows what the outcome for those poisoned soldiers would have been. Li'er has achieved such a great功, she is the pride of us women. Consort Xian, you are being narrow-minded."
Consort Xian wanted to say more, but Jun Wan tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to stop.
Jun Wan smiled. "Mother Empress is right, Miss Su is indeed a role model for us all. Mother Consort didn't mean it that way, she simply misphrased her words. I hope Miss Su doesn't take offense."
Su Li shook her head. "How could Li'er dare to blame Consort Xian? It's just that all the soldiers of our Tianqi are fine men dedicated to serving the nation. Even if Li'er had lived in the military camp, I believe no one would have spread gossip. Only those long-tongued commoners who cannot discern right from wrong would think otherwise."
Consort Xian angrily said, "You!"
Jun Wan interrupted her. "Princess Changning is right."
Having said that, Jun Wan stood up. "Mother Consort, did you forget something in your sleeping palace? Your daughter will accompany you to retrieve it."
"Empress, we will return shortly."
Empress waved her hand. "Go."
Outside the Empress's palace gates, Consort Xian said, "Why did you make this Princess come out?"
"Mother Consort, how could you say such things?"
"What kind of things? This Princess spoke the truth. Su Li was in Lan'an, and even if she lived in the City Lord's Residence, she treated so many soldiers' poisoning, she must have mingled with the army..."
"Mother Consort!" Jun Wan interrupted her, looking left and right to ensure no one else was present before relaxing.
"Mother Consort, Princess Changning is currently at the height of her influence, having gained both the Emperor's favor and the people's hearts. Her prestige in the military is also quite high. If you say such things, how will others perceive you?"
Consort Xian whispered, "Your Mother Consort just can't stand it. Before, whether it was the Emperor or the common people, they only saw my daughter. Now, do they even have you in their eyes?"
Jun Wan looked at her Mother Consort in shock. "Mother Consort, I am a princess, born to nobility. I have my pride and don't need to compare myself to anyone. You shouldn't say those things anymore."
Seeing her daughter speak with such seriousness, Consort Xian could only nod.
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