Chapter 1869: 1857: Jade Pendant
Chapter 1869: Chapter 1857: Jade Pendant
In the afternoon, someone at the door reported that Bayar’s mother, Prince Muhal’s most favored Princess Consort, had arrived.
Indeed, she is Prince Muhal’s most favored Princess Consort. Although not the first Princess Consort, her entourage is no less than that of the first Princess Consort, and in some areas even surpasses her.
With crowds preceding and following, and personal soldiers guarding from behind, even the carriage is extraordinarily luxurious, studded with gold and silver jewels, glittering under the sunlight.
Beside the carriage, a dozen or so beautiful maids follow, all dressed in lavish silk robes, looking much like the daughters of nobility.
Due to the Princess Consort’s arrival, the road has been guarded by personal soldiers early on, preventing others from entering or leaving.
The carriage stopped at the door, and attendants had already laid a red wool carpet, stretching from the dismounting point to the entrance.
Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin received the news and came to the door to welcome them.
They saw the carriage door open, the curtain lifted, Bayar sticking his head out of the carriage, then disembarking, extending his hand towards the carriage, and after waiting a while, assisting out a stunningly beautiful woman who was evidently aged but still astonishingly beautiful.
Her features appear more defined compared to other women, with a slender figure like a willow. Despite being adorned with jewels, if one doesn’t look at her face, just her figure and silhouette, she wholly embodies the form of a young girl.
Standing at the carriage door, the wind blows, lifting her hair and hems, seemingly ready to carry her away.
Undoubtedly, this is Bayar’s mother.
Wang Yongzhu steps forward: “Your Highness’s presence graces us, apologies for the lack of proper welcoming, please forgive me!”
The Princess Consort, hearing the voice, finally lifts her eyes to look, and for a moment, Wang Yongzhu catches a glimpse of a faint green flash within her pupils, instantly surprising him.
Upon further inspection, the green is gone, but it can be seen that the Princess Consort’s eye color is slightly lighter than usual.
Upon seeing Wang Yongzhu’s youthful appearance, the Princess Consort seems taken aback. Bayar promptly introduces them with a few words, quickly sporting a smile, descending from the carriage, and after the formal greeting, “This must be Lady Dingguo! Still so young and beautiful? The air of regality is somewhat reminiscent of our Queen Ah Lan. Queen Ah Lan would certainly be delighted to meet Madam!”
Bayar tries to mumble a few words, thinking this mother-in-law, this she-devil can’t possibly compare to Queen Ah Lan, but upon meeting Wang Yongzhu’s amused gaze, immediate caution prevails.
Just then, Song Chongjin steps forward to greet, eagerly joining in the pleasantries, adopting a humble demeanor.
After exchanging courtesies, Wang Yongzhu invites the group inside.
The Princess Consort and Wang Yongzhu lead the way, while Song Chongjin and Bayar fall a step behind. Bayar doesn’t forget to call out to the group behind him: “Quickly bring in the gifts from Young Master—”
Saying this, he gives Song Chongjin a proud tilt of his head: “I—the Young Master said, my life is worth a fortune, these are all gifts owed to you, no need to overly thank Young Master!”
Song Chongjin doesn’t wish to thank this overbearing little prince, thinking he must be crazy! Was his time imprisoned for months enough to unhinge his mind? Or perhaps his own wife has thoroughly brainwashed him, truly taking them as lifesavers? Yet bringing such lavish gifts?
Still, it’s a shame not to accept these gifts, so Song Chongjin politely offered a few words before casually letting the attendants bring the gifts inside.
Oh my, the gifts filled an entire courtyard.
Upon entering the hall, they sit down, arranged by guest and host, served with tea and pastries, all brought by Wang Yongzhu himself, the pastries also offered by the caravan chefs.
In the upper seats sit Prince Bayar, his mother Princess Consort, along with Song Chongjin and his wife.
After exchanging pleasantries again, mainly the Princess Consort thanking Wang Yongzhu and his wife for saving her son’s life, returning him safely.
Lightly mentioning the courtyard full of gifts, saying it’s merely a small gesture, hoping the couple would graciously accept.
Casually, she seems quite warm as she assesses Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu for half a day, then praises them, talking of talents and beauty, the undeniable distinction as the nephew and niece-in-law of Queen Ah Lan, truly extraordinary, inspiring admiration.
She also reveals that Queen Ah Lan indeed wishes to meet them soon, but the Grasslands King’s Court is currently troubled, the little prince born of The Fourth Queen was schemed against recently, suffering a severe illness. Fortunately, timely discovery and medicine bestowed by Queen Ah Lan saved his life.
Yet that was not all; other Queens and Princes emerged at this time to accuse Queen Ah Lan of negligence, claiming she failed to manage the Grasslands King’s Harem, et cetera.
The King of the Grasslands and Queen Ah Lan were furious, currently investigating the assailants, involving many parties, unable to spare time for now.
The Princess Consort speaks very astutely, revealing little of crucial information, yet in her words, Qi Le stands besieged, in a difficult position, not meeting Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu is for their good.
If one wasn’t aware of Qi Le’s character, or lacked firm resolution, they might truly believe it.
For instance, Prince Bayar takes it seriously, slapping the table in fury, cursing the other Queens and Princes for their inhumanity, claiming obvious slander!
Queen Ah Lan is a Goddess Yunzhong-like figure, surely envied by them!
He then intends to enter the palace to champion Queen Ah Lan.
Wang Yongzhu, sharply observant, notices the Princess Consort’s eye twitching furiously, were she not composed, she’d likely break this rebellious child’s leg.
Those who should be anxious aren’t, while those unnecessary jump in frenzy!
Wang Yongzhu stifles laughter, pressing a handkerchief to his eye corner, feigning indignant: “This Grasslands King is too ungrateful! Once, his love with Queen Ah Lan was heaven-moving! Queen Ah Lan forsaken her homeland and family for him, following him a thousand miles away to arrive here!”
“What’s it now? Has the Grasslands King forgotten? How can he not trust Queen Ah Lan? Queen Ah Lan has sacrificed so much for him! Her life only revolves around the Grasslands King now! Yet the Grasslands King not only has wives and concubines, bearing children with other women, amazingly he doesn’t trust Queen Ah Lan!”
“Indeed, men are incorrigible! Once attained, they’re not cherished! Poor Queen Ah Lan, genuinely misplaced her heart! Alas, I had hoped during this visit to witness a celestial couple, unexpectedly, alas, from now on, I will never believe in love again—”
The Princess Consort, seeing Wang Yongzhu’s righteous indignation, is pleased, but these words seem somewhat off. Yet she can’t quite pinpoint what’s off.
Bayar, meanwhile, nods repeatedly in agreement: “Aunt, you’re absolutely right—”
The Princess Consort hurriedly uses a handkerchief to cover her son’s mouth, this is not the kind of talk to endorse randomly?
Nearby, Song Chongjin catches Wang Yongzhu’s signaling gaze, expertly leads Bayar to the front courtyard, purportedly to seek guidance.
Bayar isn’t inclined to go, but facing Song Chongjin’s countenance and the arm like a thousand weights on his shoulder, he submits swiftly!
Nodded cheerfully: “Mother, you stay and chat with Aunt, I’ll go to the front with Lord Song!”
Saying so, he left like a gust of wind.
Leaving the Princess Consort and Wang Yongzhu, you look at me, I look at you, remaining silent for quite a while.
After a while, the Princess Consort sips her tea, seemingly about to rise and leave, yet upon seeing Wang Yongzhu casually retrieving a Jade Pendant from his sleeve pocket, she halts in surprise.