lcionline Chapter 98 A Gift, Undercurrents Raging
Chapter 98 A Gift, Undercurrents Raging
This time, Emperor Moyao referred to his daughters-in-law.
The Left Prime Minister's expression finally improved.
However, Consort Xiao's expression darkened. Logically, the King of Qin should indeed be ranked before the King of Chu, but since the King of Jin had taken the lead, it meant that strict adherence to the ranking wasn't necessary.
Moreover, Emperor Moyao wasn't calling for his son, but rather his daughter-in-law.
Wasn't the Princess Consort of Chu also a daughter-in-law?
Why doesn't Emperor Mo Yao pay even the slightest bit of attention to them!
Although Consort Xiao treated her daughter-in-law indifferently, the two concubines outshone her as the principal wife.
This made Consort Xiao feel somewhat resentful.
The empress sitting next to Emperor Moyao had a dignified expression, but a hint of smugness was creeping into her heart.
Su Mowan had a gut feeling that Emperor Mo Yao was coming for her.
However, she didn't speak immediately, but instead gave the opportunity to speak up to Shen Muyue.
As expected, Shen Muyue lived up to her expectations. As if afraid that she would beat her to it, she immediately stood up with lightning speed.
"Mu Yue greets Your Majesty. On this Mid-Autumn Festival, I offer this small gift. I hope Your Majesty will not find it offensive."
Shen Muyue's voice was incredibly sweet and gentle, completely unlike the sharp tone she usually used when speaking to Su Mowan.
Su Mowan couldn't see Murong Jing's expression, but she did see the Left Prime Minister grinding his teeth not far away.
This appears to be an expression of dissatisfaction with Shen Muyue's actions.
Su Mowan guessed correctly; the Left Prime Minister was indeed gritting his teeth. He never expected his daughter to be so tactless.
Speaking out at this time would easily invite resentment and also incur Emperor Mo Yao's displeasure.
But his daughter had an expression that said she had snatched it first and gotten the better deal!
The Left Prime Minister was filled with remorse.
After saying those words, Shen Muyue waved to Consort Shen's back.
Su Mowan looked over and realized that Shen Muyue's two head maids had stood behind Consort Shen.
Caiwei immediately carried a brocade box that Su Mowan recognized to the bottom of the steps, and the eunuch took it and presented it to her.
Emperor Mo Yao still had a smile on his face, and it brightened even more when the box was opened.
"Hahaha, very good! This jade ruyi comes in a pair, so its meaning is naturally excellent! I will entrust it to the Empress for safekeeping!"
Having gained Emperor Mo Yao's approval, Shen Muyue's smile deepened, and a hint of pride flashed in her eyes.
Su Mowan could even feel Shen Muyue giving her a disdainful glance, which was practically a show of defiance.
To be honest, she was a little surprised that Shen Muyue had prepared a gift herself.
And this gift isn't cheap.
Qinghe and Yinshuang, who were standing behind, naturally noticed it as well, especially Qinghe, whose eyes widened in surprise.
Isn't this the pair of jade ruyi that were ultimately bought by the Princess of Chu when she went to Yipinzhai to buy the South China Sea Jade Guanyin?
Although Su Mowan was somewhat surprised, she was more curious about Su Huayue's expression at this moment.
With a slight tilt of his gaze, he noticed that Su Huayue's stunningly beautiful face was completely devoid of any smile.
Murong Jin's faint smile looked somewhat forced.
This is so interesting.
Su Mowan secretly thought that Shen Muyue and Su Huayue were indeed kindred spirits who felt like they had known each other for a long time and got along very well. They even prepared the same gift.
We're on the same wavelength.
Shen Muyue presented it first, so how could Su Huayue possibly make a move later?
While she was gloating, Su Huayue's hands were already clenched tightly under her sleeves.
She whispered to the composed Murong Jin, "Your Highness, what should we do?"
Murong Jin clearly hadn't expected this to happen, but fortunately he had other preparations, and immediately replied in a low voice, "It's alright."
Although Su Huayue received Murong Jin's words, she still felt uneasy, and the goodwill she had accumulated towards Shen Muyue suddenly turned into a negative value.
Shen Muyue naturally sensed Su Huayue's unfriendly gaze, but she didn't know the reason behind it, so she returned a puzzled look.
Su Huayue ignored her and angrily turned her head away.
Emperor Moyao handed a pair of jade ruyi scepters to the Empress, then turned around with a smile.
The scene fell silent for a moment.
All the ministers knew that the main event was about to begin.
General Su's daughter became pregnant with the imperial heir first, putting Prime Minister Shen at a disadvantage from the start.
However, the gift that Shen Muyue presented just now did win the Emperor's favor.
So, let's see if Su Mowan can win this round too.
The most nervous people at this moment were not Su Mowan herself, but Su Yuandao and Shen Zuoxiang.
Although the officials were subtly showing concern for them with their eyes, the two of them kept their eyes fixed on Su Mowan.
Su Mowan couldn't avoid it this time. After standing up, she first greeted Emperor Mo Yao.
Then, turning to Murong Jing, he said matter-of-factly, "Your Highness, quickly bring out the gifts for the Emperor and Empress."
This action caused the ministers to whisper amongst themselves, albeit discreetly.
"It seems that Su Yuandao's daughter is indeed quite favored. Not only is she pregnant with the imperial heir, but her attitude towards Prince Qin also shows that her feelings for him are extraordinary!"
"Indeed, just looking at her, the Left Prime Minister's daughter seems rather lonely."
"That's what it means for a couple to be of one mind!"
Of course, Shen Muyue couldn't hear these discussions, but she knew the atmosphere had changed in an instant.
At this moment, Murong Jing, who had been keeping a cold face and hadn't said a word, obediently raised his hand behind him.
The officials craned their necks to look forward, afraid of missing something.
Su Mowan only sensed a figure getting closer and closer, eventually passing her and walking into the middle of the avenue.
Looking up, I saw Feng Yue's back.
Feng Yue was holding a large brocade box and a long sandalwood box wrapped in gorgeous brocade.
He first handed over the large brocade box in his hand.
Su Mowan, who was below, spoke up before Feng Yue could: "Your Majesty, this is a token of His Highness Prince Qin's goodwill towards you and the Empress. He hopes Your Majesty will like it."
Her words contrasted sharply with Shen Muyue's previous self-aggrandizing behavior, leading the ministers to a conclusion in their hearts.
The Left Prime Minister has lost this round again.
Su Yuandao watched calmly, his expression neither happy nor unhappy, while Su Liushi, standing to the side, let out a soft scoff.
But clearly, Emperor Moyao on the stage was very happy, and even the Empress had a gratified smile on her face.
The box was rather large, so the father-in-law had to hold it while Emperor Moyao reached out and opened it.
The moment the box was opened, it emitted a faint, soft, moon-blue light.
This made Emperor Moyao's already radiant face even brighter.
"Jade Guanyin of the South China Sea!"
"It's a jade Guanyin from the South China Sea!"
"Didn't Yipinzhai only have one, and they've already made their move? How come His Highness Prince Qin has one?"
The ministers below erupted in a cacophony of voices.
This South China Sea Jade Guanyin is rare, not only because it is expensive, but also because it is limited in quantity, with only one piece made each year.
Emperor Moyao carefully lifted the jade Guanyin statue, which immediately illuminated the surroundings.
Just then, before the ministers could utter their praises, and before Emperor Moyao could fully rejoice,
Feng Yue, who was below, handed the long box in his hand to the eunuch and said to Emperor Mo Yao above, "Your Majesty, this is a gift that Consort Su prepared personally for Her Majesty the Empress!"