Phoenix Cries Return to Court

As soon as she finished speaking, she glanced at Huan'er, the maid beside her.

Huan'er understood and quickly stepped forward, holding a satin box with gold-threaded sea creature patterns in both hands.

The box is exquisitely crafted, and it is clear at a glance that it is no ordinary item.

Tao Qingqing took the satin box and slowly unfastened the clasp to open the lid.

The next second, the room fell into dead silence.

Immediately afterwards, several suppressed gasps of cold air rang out in succession.

Inside the satin box lay a huge pearl.

The bead was pure white and as smooth as jade.

"I've really seen something new today!"

Manager Ning's eyes lit up instantly. He unconsciously rubbed his hands together and exclaimed, "A pearl of this size and quality is a rare find even in the palace."

He Guangzheng was also stunned for a moment.

Although Tao Qingqing was a princess, he never expected that she would have such a priceless treasure and be willing to use it to pay off his debts.

A surge of warmth welled up inside him, and he unconsciously straightened his back. The embarrassment he felt was replaced by a strange sense of pride.

The moment Lin Xihe saw the pearls in the box, her heart sank.

She suppressed her shock, kept a straight face, and gently picked up the pearl, holding it up to the sunlight.

The pearl, under the refraction of sunlight, presents a soft and deep iridescence, which is extremely beautiful.

The entire bead is flawless, truly a rare treasure.

Lin Xihe remained silent, frowning as she scrutinized him for a long time.

Tao Qingqing, who was standing to the side, had long been impatient and coldly glanced at the maid beside her.

Huan'er understood, stepped forward, and raised her voice, "Wen Shi, why are you putting on airs like this! Are you ungrateful and looking down on the gifts bestowed by the princess?"

Lin Xihe's eyes turned cold as she looked at the person in front of her.

The oppressive aura emanating from him made Huan'er freeze instantly.

"Since the Minister has not divorced me, I am still the mistress of this Minister's mansion. How can you, a mere maid, be so ignorant of etiquette?"

As she spoke, she turned to look at Tao Qingqing, "The princess has actually raised such an unruly servant. She should be properly disciplined. Otherwise, people will start talking about the Minister's mansion once she leaves the palace."

"Don't put on airs!" He Guangzheng's face darkened, and he immediately put on a stern face, reaching out to pull Tao Qingqing into his arms, his tone carrying a hint of impatience.

"If you hadn't been so desperate for that money, why would Qingqing have needed to bring out such a rare treasure? Not only are you ungrateful, but you're also picking and choosing and criticizing the servants. What kind of behavior is this!"

Tao Qingqing leaned against He Guangzheng's chest, a glint of malice flashing in her eyes. Then, feigning grievance, she said in a sweet voice with red eyes, "Sister, I am reluctantly leaving Baozhu with you for now. I only ask that you take my heart into consideration and not make things difficult for Zhenglang or disturb the peace of the Minister's mansion."

Lin Xihe watched the two of them working together, a mocking smile playing on her lips. She said leisurely, "Fine. Considering the bead's decent quality and your 'kindness,' I'll leave it at that for now."

"However, Your Excellency," she changed the subject, looking at He Guangzheng, whose face was ashen, "if you cannot repay the money within three months, this pearl will belong to me. At that time, there will be no room for negotiation."

Lin Xihe left with Chun Ge.

On the way, Chun Ge was frowning, her eyes fixed on the pearl in her hand, looking thoughtful.

"Madam, is something amiss?" Chunge asked in a low voice.

"Do you think there's any shop in the capital's black market or among the major jewelry stores that sells these kinds of pearls?" Lin Xihe murmured thoughtfully.

Chun Ge was somewhat puzzled.

But these days, my wife seems to have suddenly become enlightened, no longer as submissive and weak as before.

Now she acts with composure and decisiveness, planning every step carefully, which makes her feel inexplicably at ease.

……

The moon hangs obliquely on the branches, and the clouds drift lazily by.

In the Grand Secretary's residence, a gentle breeze wafted through the main study, and by candlelight, a half-rolled map of the border region lay open on the table.

Shen Jueyan sat at the table, gazing absently at the wisps of incense smoke rising from the five-legged silver incense burner in the corner of the table.

"Two days ago at the banquet at the Minister's residence, you publicly humiliated Prince Yu." A deep and authoritative voice entered from outside.

Shen Jueyan immediately composed himself, stood up, and bowed respectfully to the newcomer, saying, "Father."

Shen Mo, the Grand Secretary, dressed in black, slowly entered and went straight to the brazier.

He bore a striking resemblance to Shen Jueyan, except for a streak of white hair at his temples, and his posture was as upright as a pine tree.

Shen Jueyan stepped forward and explained, "It's because Prince Yu is going too far; I simply can't stand it."

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo frowned slightly, a hint of inquiry flashing in his eyes.

He slowly walked to the rosewood chair beside the desk. "Prince Yu is arrogant and acts without restraint. But that is ultimately a private matter of the Ministry of War."

"I have repeatedly warned you not to give others cause for criticism in your actions, especially when dealing with Prince Yu, you must be extra cautious."

Shen Jue lowered his head and remained silent. For a moment, the only clear sound in the room was the crackling of the stove fire gradually warming up.

Suddenly, a figure in plain clothes flashed through his mind, and his heart stirred slightly.

Seeing his preoccupied expression, Shen Mo sighed softly, "It's been over a year since she passed away. You've been neglecting your duties lately. If she were still here..."

"Father, please don't say any more!"

Shen Jueyan's brows furrowed slightly, as if someone had touched the deepest, most hidden scar in his heart. His eyes were filled with turbulent emotions. He offered no explanation, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Shen Mo, and said, "I have official business to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

Before he finished speaking, he turned to leave.

"Yan'er."

Shen Mo's voice rang out again.

"I have summoned you today because of something. Recently, an object has appeared in the city, which is said to be the 'Treasure of the Kingdom of Xi'."

"The borders are currently in turmoil, and the arrival of this treasure is suspicious and certainly not accidental."

Upon hearing this, Shen Jueyan paused, straightened his back, and said, "I understand."

……

After seeing off that plague-ridden Wen family at noon, He Guangzheng and Tao Qingqing returned to their room, all lovey-dovey.

As dinner time approached, their affection for each other remained undiminished, when that clear female voice was heard again.

"Why didn't you invite me to your meal, my husband?"

Wen Shi always wore old clothes and did not attract attention.

But what caught everyone's attention today was the pearl hairpin in her hair. The hairpin's head was a large pearl, which reflected a soft halo under the lamplight, exuding nobility and making her eyebrows and eyes even more gentle and charming.

He Guangzheng, Tao Qingqing, and the maids and servants around them were all instantly drawn to Lin Xihe.

Seeing everyone staring intently at her, Lin Xi smiled and looked at He Guangzheng, her tone slightly coquettish, "Why is my husband staring at me? Is it because I look exceptionally beautiful today and you're mesmerized? I told you this bead suits me perfectly, and it looks just as I expected."

Upon hearing this, He Guangzheng couldn't help but shudder, and he subconsciously looked at Tao Qingqing beside him.

Chun Ge, standing behind her, chuckled softly and chimed in, "What you say is true, Madam. This pearl is already exceptionally beautiful, and it suits you perfectly when worn on your head."

Lin Xihe's smile grew even brighter. She turned to look at Tao Qingqing and said softly, "Yes, that's why you're a member of the royal family. I have to thank you for giving me such a beautiful bead."

Tao Qingqing's expression froze instantly, and she tightened her grip on the chopsticks slightly.

She thought that Lin Xihe would keep the pearl safe and not show it to others, but she didn't expect that Lin Xihe would be so ostentatious and make it into a hairpin to wear on her head. This was clearly a slap in the face to her!

"Such a valuable item, and you flaunt it so ostentatiously, makes others think that you, a second-rank minister, have a meager salary, yet your wives and concubines are all so extravagant," Tao Qingqing said leisurely, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes.