"Lord of Zong, this is the betrothal gift between the Princess and I. I have brought it today as proof. Please take a look, Lord Zong Sheng, and see that my engagement to the Princess is true, not as the Emperor claims."
Fan Xudong placed the jade pendant in his palm and raised it above his head, speaking to Zong Han.
The latter didn't even glance at it and replied with a sneer, "You casually take out a jade pendant and claim it's the betrothal gift for the Princess? Then I can also take out something like this and say it's a betrothal gift!"
"If Lord Zong does not believe me, you are welcome to verify it!" Fan Xudong, thinking quickly, replied.
"Heh heh… everyone here is your person, of course, they will speak for you. I don't believe it!"
Fan Xudong began to sweat profusely, his eyes constantly darting towards Zhao Jiaqi. At this moment, she shrugged, thinking, if you want to marry a beautiful wife, figure it out yourself.
Zong Han followed Fan Xudong's gaze and saw Zhao Jiaqi's helpless expression.
His eyes narrowed. He knew it was this cunning woman's idea.
Just as the two sides were at an impasse, Pingting stepped forward.
She also took out a jade pendant from her chest and handed it to Xiao Jiu beside her. "The betrothal gift between this Princess and the Great General of Chariots and Cavalry is a pair of jade pendants. If Lord Zong does not believe it, you are welcome to inspect them!"
Xiao Jiu carefully held the jade pendant in both hands and presented it to Zong Han. Her heart was pounding like a startled deer.
The Princess was truly brave. At first glance, these jade pendants looked like a pair, but upon closer inspection, one could tell they were different, even though the material was the same.
A pair?
The Princess really spoke without batting an eye, her face not even flushing.
Zong Han coldly glanced at the jade pendant and raised an eyebrow silently. It seemed he had miscalculated.
He waved his hand, "Since Princess Pingting is already engaged, let's find another princess and bestow her as a secondary wife to Great General Wu Yi. It would not tarnish a princess's status!"
For a dignified princess of a kingdom to be a secondary wife to a general, Zong Han was utterly outrageous.
Huangfu Jintao sneered, "This might not be appropriate. A princess is of noble blood. If she is to marry, it should be as the principal wife!"
"Emperor Yun, I am merely reciprocating your gesture!"
As the two argued on the platform, the ministers seated below all became like ostriches.
Zhao Jiaqi raised an eyebrow subtly, noting how strong Zong Han's vengefulness was.
Just as the Emperor had bestowed Zong Huofeng to Hu Yurong, the nominal legitimate son of the Marquis of Ningyuan's mansion, he, in turn, retaliated by marrying off a Yun Kingdom princess as a secondary wife to a minister.
Fan Zehao whispered to Zhao Jiaqi, "Wu Yi is more vulgar than I am. I heard he has already married several wives, and almost one dies a year. In Zong Sheng Kingdom, when it's said he's taking a wife, no women dare to appear on the streets!"
Pfft… cough cough cough!
She quickly wiped the water from the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and glared resentfully at the person beside her, who blurted out such terrifying things.
If he said so, then this Wu Yi was more frightening than a ghost!
The palace banquet concluded without further incident. In the end, the Emperor married off a princess born to an unfavored concubine, thus fulfilling the marriage alliance.
After they left the palace, Huangfu Jintao was furious in the imperial study.
Some rejoiced, while others grieved. On New Year's Eve, Fan Xudong couldn't sleep, clamoring for Zhao Jiaqi to help him decide on a betrothal gift and listing everything he could think of.
He didn't get to see the person and was directly thrown out by Fan Zehao, "What's the hurry? The Ministry of Rites will arrange the princess's wedding. You just wait to become the groom!"
The unreliable Fan Lao Er, unable to see how anxious he was to the point of scorching his eyebrows, still dared to disturb him!
Next time he dealt with him, he had to be a bit harsher, lest he had too much energy to spare.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi went into the palace to pay their respects.
One went to the Emperor, and the other went to Imperial Consort Yao Jingyun, who managed affairs of the six palaces.
As soon as she stepped into Qixia Palace, she was welcomed in by the old wet nurse beside the Imperial Consort, "Your Highness has been waiting for a long time. Princess Consort, please come in!"
Zhao Jiaqi nodded. Compared to her previous visit to Qixia Palace, this time was like night and day.
Upon entering the main hall, besides the Imperial Consort, there were only a few palace maids serving. No other noble ladies were present.
As Zhao Jiaqi was about to curtsy, Yao Jingyun stopped her, even having her own wet nurse personally help her up. "You are excused. Please be seated!"
Before, she looked down on her, but now, her eyes were entirely on her. After all, Pingting was going to marry into the Fan family.
Although Pingting was a princess, the words Fan Zehao spoke yesterday had truly struck a chord with her.
A married daughter is like spilled water. If Pingting were to return to the border with Fan Xudong, she would have to live under Zhao Jiaqi's nose.
"Pingting's marriage with Xudong has been put on the agenda. We are just waiting to choose an auspicious date for the wedding. I know Xudong's mother passed away early, so I have asked the Ministry of Rites to make the arrangements. Princess Consort, do you think my arrangements are appropriate?"
"Your Highness's arrangements are very proper. This humble subject thanks Your Highness on behalf of Xudong for your kind intentions!" Zhao Jiaqi slightly curtsied.
A mother always thinks of her child, and the Imperial Consort was no exception.
Despite her previous reluctance, the circumstances forced her to humble herself and seek favor. Zhao Jiaqi could understand this, as she also had a daughter.
Yao Jingyun slowly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "That's good!"
"I only have this one daughter. She will be marrying into the Fan family. You two will have to support and care for each other. Pingting's temper has been spoiled by me. You, as her sister-in-law, must be tolerant. If she doesn't listen, feel free to tell me!" she said, holding Zhao Jiaqi's hand.
Zhao Jiaqi naturally understood the Imperial Consort's intentions. This was undoubtedly a preemptive warning. She smiled and replied, "Your Highness, please rest assured. This humble subject will treat Pingting like a sister and will never let anyone bully her, not even her younger brother-in-law. Moreover, the Fan brothers are very protective. This humble subject believes that although Pingting is not marrying into a prominent family, she will absolutely be the happiest one!"
"Yes, don't women just wish for a harmonious marriage, not to worry about food and clothing, and to live a peaceful and happy life!" Yao Jingyun said faintly, looking at the snow outside the window.
Zhao Jiaqi emerged from the palace, and shortly thereafter, an imperial decree arrived. The wedding date was set for the eighteenth day of the first lunar month. Once Fan Xudong and Pingting's wedding was over, they would relocate to their fiefdom.
Returning to their fiefdom was something everyone had been looking forward to for a long time, and the elders had already begun preparing for the return.
During the New Year, the family was not idle.
Her parents and elder brother and sister-in-law went out shopping, leaving the children directly in Zhao Jiaqi's care. She, in turn, became a hands-off manager, handing them over to her sister, Ren Yingjun, for supervision.
This was what was called "the big lazy relying on the small lazy, and the small lazy just staring blankly." It was unavoidable, as she was the youngest.
The three children played joyfully, while Zhao Jiaqi, watching them, sewed a plush toy in her hands, hoping to make one more plaything for the children.
Outside the door, Steward Wang's voice was heard, "Princess Consort, there is a person named Ah Shi here to deliver a calling card. He says he wants to deliver it to the Princess Consort personally."
Ah Shi?