Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 500 - 438: Treasure Piggy Enters the Palace, Pulls Off a Big Job

Chapter 500: Chapter 438: Treasure Piggy Enters the Palace, Pulls Off a Big Job

The Crown Prince Mansion.

Dou Qingyi was sitting in front of her dressing table, selecting today’s earrings.

The maid stood behind her, styling her hair into a bun.

As she combed, she said, "Madam, I heard that His Majesty summoned the Commandery Prince and that person to the Imperial Palace. Even Mr. Zi Wu went as well."

Dou Qingyi picked up a pair of gold earrings and held them up to her ears, feeling they weren’t quite suitable. She put them down and picked up a pair of blue kingfisher feather earrings. "It’s good they went. His Majesty must be testing their knowledge."

The maid mockingly remarked, "I heard from the main courtyard that all he does is eat and play all day, occasionally reading some useless miscellaneous books. He’s utterly unlearned. Compared to our Commandery Prince, competing in education—he’ll likely lose face today for sure."

Dou Qingyi smiled faintly. "He doesn’t need to inherit the kingdom; being unlearned doesn’t matter. Living freely as a carefree young lord might be better."

The maid sighed. "But it’s hard on our Commandery Prince, as he’ll have to look after such a brother in the future."

Dou Qingyi was also not entirely satisfied with the blue kingfisher earrings and then picked up a pearl tasseled design. "It’s just a brother. If he must, then he must."

If he truly turned out to be a useless dandy, so be it. Competing for a bit of favor wouldn’t matter. If he proved incapable and unreliable, he wouldn’t pose a threat to Qi’er’s position.

The maid added, "Madam, I heard that His Majesty plans to let that person stay in the Imperial Palace for a few days. Even our Commandery Prince hasn’t stayed in the palace—what gives him the right?"

Dou Qingyi said, "He’s going to the palace to recuperate, which gives His Majesty peace of mind. That’s a good thing."

Isn’t it a good thing?

That brat had been monopolizing the Crown Prince, leaving her no opportunity to fulfill her duties as a wife to the Crown Prince.

From now on, there would finally be some peace.

She could finally spend the night in the Crown Prince’s chambers.

Between a man and a woman, it all boiled down to this: To grasp a man’s heart, one must first monopolize all his affection.

At last, Dou Qingyi picked out a pair of earrings she was satisfied with.

The maid finished styling her hair and adorned Dou Qingyi with a gold hairpin embellished with pearls, paired with the pearl tasseled earrings. The result was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Madam, you look stunning—like a celestial fairy descended to the mortal realm. I’ve never seen a woman more beautiful than you."

This praise was not entirely flattery.

Dou Qingyi was indeed an exquisite beauty. Though no longer a young maiden, her mature poise added a certain charm and grace, an inner brilliance unique to her.

As they spoke, a servant’s announcement came from outside. "Madam, Eunuch Zhen from the Household Affairs Office has arrived."

Eunuch Zhen was the Chief Eunuch of the Household Affairs Office. The last time he came was regarding Lu Qi’s conferment as Commandery Prince.

Dou Qingyi had a faint feeling that good news was coming. A hint of joy flickered in her eyes, and she addressed the person outside, "Quickly, invite him in!"

"Understood."

The servant acknowledged and brought Eunuch Zhen into Dou Qingyi’s courtyard.

Ordinary men were not permitted to enter the inner chambers of the Crown Prince Mansion, but Eunuch Zhen, being a eunuch, was exempt from such restrictions.

Eunuch Zhen entered the room with a cheerful smile, holding a horsetail whisk, and greeted Dou Qingyi with a bow. "Your servant pays respects to Madam."

As the Chief Eunuch of the Household Affairs Office, his rank carried weight, but Dou Qingyi, not yet officially titled, commanded his respect solely due to her position as the mother of a Commandery Prince.

Nonetheless, Dou Qingyi clearly noticed Eunuch Zhen being a touch more deferential today.

She paused momentarily, then smiled and asked, "Chief Eunuch Zhen, no need to stand on ceremony. May I know what brings you here today? Has His Majesty issued any instructions?"

Eunuch Zhen beamed. "This humble servant is here to take your measurements for newly tailored garments and, additionally, to offer congratulations in advance."

Dou Qingyi’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. Containing her excitement, she feigned ignorance. "And what might these congratulations be for?"

Eunuch Zhen smiled meaningfully. "The State Preceptor mentioned the matter of conferring the title of Crown Princess Consort in court today, and His Majesty agreed. After court, His Majesty summoned the Minister of Rites, the Hanlin Academy Scholar, and several Cabinet Ministers to the Imperial Study Room. Word has it that everything has been decided, and the Crown Prince has been summoned to the palace. Judging by the timing, the imperial decree for the conferment should already be on its way."

As he spoke, he gestured for a little eunuch waiting outside to come in.

The little eunuch entered, holding a brocade box.

Eunuch Zhen presented the box with both hands to Dou Qingyi. "May the Crown Princess Consort accept this with a smile."

Hearing herself addressed as the Crown Princess Consort filled Dou Qingyi with indescribable delight.

After waiting so long, this day had finally come.

She was about to become the mistress of the Crown Prince Mansion, the woman standing shoulder to shoulder with the Crown Prince and ruling over the empire.

"Congratulations, Madam!"

The maid, displaying excellent instinct, knelt down. "Congratulations to the Crown Princess Consort!"

Dou Qingyi’s gaze landed on the lustrous pearls in the brocade box, her heart pounding.

Her hands trembled slightly from excitement.

Taking several deep breaths, she suppressed her racing heartbeat and strived to maintain an even tone. "Chief Eunuch Zhen, without the imperial decree officially issued, isn’t it premature to address me as Crown Princess Consort? It’s best to wait for the decree to arrive."

Eunuch Zhen chuckled. "Your Ladyship, rest assured. Without complete certainty, your servant wouldn’t dare let you be delighted in vain."

Among those with the sharpest ears for palace news, one was Eunuch Yu by His Majesty’s side, and the other was Eunuch Zhen himself—outclassing even the Chief Eunuch of the Empress’s Palace.

He had heard His Majesty’s decree with his own ears in the Imperial Study Room.

His early visit to congratulate the Crown Princess Consort was an intentional move to ingratiate himself with Dou Qingyi, aiming to become the next Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Palace.

Why would he gamble his future by misinforming the Crown Princess Consort?

Dou Qingyi, of course, understood Eunuch Zhen’s friendly overtures.

The Crown Prince might seem mild and good-natured, but in truth, no one could easily manipulate him.

If Eunuch Zhen wanted higher standing in the palace, he would need her to whisper words in the Crown Prince’s ear while lying on the pillow next to him.

She smiled. "Chief Eunuch Zhen, from now on, we’re family."

-

Summoned urgently by Emperor Liang, Lu Zhaoyan, despite being his son, dared not delay and immediately set out for the Imperial Palace.

Along the way, the little one was unusually quiet, refraining from any fuss—a model of obedience.

However, just moments ago, she had been licking a candied hawthorn skewer, and when Lu Zhaoyan looked at her again, she had already sprawled out, clutching the skewer, fast asleep.

The little one’s cheeks were plump and rosy, her lashes long, and her tiny chubby hands irresistibly squeezable.

Her hands and mouth were sticky with sugar syrup.

Lu Zhaoyan pulled out a clean handkerchief and, dipping it in warm tea, wiped her clean.

The little one wasn’t shy and clumsily climbed onto his lap, curling up in his arms with her little feet propped up, continuing her nap.

For a brief moment, a soft warmth surged through the Crown Prince’s heart.

This was a feeling his son couldn’t give him.

The little one seemed to be dreaming of something delicious, her tiny mouth smacking noisily as if savoring an imaginary bite.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness!"

Ji Feng called out several times.

The Crown Prince came back to his senses, his gaze shifting away from the little one’s face. He asked flatly, "What’s the matter?"

"We’ve arrived."

Ji Feng replied.

In fact, they had arrived a while ago. Ji Feng had been waiting for his master to step out of the carriage, but instead, His Highness was grinning foolishly at the little one they had picked up halfway.

It was as if Lu Zhaoyan could hear Ji Feng’s thoughts. He shot him a glance. "Your monthly stipend is gone."

Ji Feng: "...!!"

Lu Zhaoyan carried the sleeping little one out of the carriage.

When it came to taking care of children, he seemed slightly more competent than Emperor Liang.

Though it was the first time he was holding such a small milk dumpling, he did so expertly—a sight that might even make one believe he had raised her himself.

The child also seemed fond of him, her little head tilted against his neck as she slumbered sweetly.

The palace attendants were all curious about the child in the Crown Prince’s arms. Dressed adorably in a little tiger cub outfit, her chubby cheeks were irresistibly endearing.

"Could she belong to Prince Jian?"

"But Prince Jian isn’t even married yet."

"Maybe she’s..."

"Shh, don’t make baseless guesses. The Commandery Prince isn’t that kind of person."

The palace attendants whispered among themselves, careful not to let the Crown Prince overhear.

As they passed through the Imperial Garden, Lu Zhaoyan came across a certain "rebel."

He glanced down at the little one in his arms, then up at Lu Yuan. He couldn’t believe they weren’t siblings.

Look at their spirited expressions—they might as well have been carved from the same mold.

The difference was that the little one’s spirited demeanor was adorable, whereas the brat’s cocky disposition made people itch to give him a smack.

Especially when the brat and the little one’s statements didn’t align—whether the rumored scoundrel of a father truly existed or not remained a mystery.

Though filled with questions, Lu Zhaoyan knew better than to speak in the palace.

He approached Lu Yuan, who was lounging on a swing and idly munching on fruit. "Have you finished your studies?"

Lu Yuan replied nonchalantly, "Grandfather Emperor is busy; the test hasn’t started yet."

Lu Zhaoyan had a fair idea of what his father was preoccupied with—likely arranging for him to take a Crown Princess Consort.

"Wouldn’t it be wise to review in the meantime?" he suggested.

"Last-minute cramming is pointless," Lu Yuan replied indifferently. He glanced at his estranged father, noticing for the first time the little one in his arms. The child was so bundled up that only a tiny hand was visible.

And in the split second Lu Yuan glanced over, that tiny hand darted back under the cloak.

Lu Zhaoyan furrowed his brows.

Was the little one cold?

From the moment they entered the Imperial Garden, she had been burrowing deeper into his embrace.

He adjusted his cloak, wrapping her more snugly.

"Who’s that?" Lu Yuan asked casually.

"Your sister," Lu Zhaoyan replied.

Lu Yuan: ...Is he insulting me?

Lu Zhaoyan decided to talk to him later about how his mother had come to the Imperial City looking for him. "Is His Majesty in the Imperial Study Room?"

Not particularly interested in an illegitimate sister, Lu Yuan retracted his gaze and hummed. "There’s no need to go. The decree has already been issued."

"What decree?" Lu Zhaoyan asked.

Lu Yuan gestured with his chin. "There."

Lu Zhaoyan turned to look and saw Eunuch Yu approaching in a hurry, one hand holding a horsetail whisk and the other carrying an imperial decree.

"Your Highness, Young Master," the eunuch greeted them with a bow.

"Eunuch Yu, where are you off to in such a hurry?" Lu Zhaoyan inquired.

"This servant was just heading to the mansion to deliver the decree," Eunuch Yu replied with a smile.

"May I have a look?" Lu Zhaoyan asked.

There was no reason not to. Emperor Liang wasn’t overly particular, and there had never been instructions forbidding the Crown Prince from seeing decrees.

Eunuch Yu handed the imperial decree to Lu Zhaoyan.

Lu Zhaoyan, cradling Bao Shu in one arm, took the decree with the other.

It was written there: Dou Qingyi was to be conferred the title of Crown Princess Consort.

Lu Zhaoyan understood his father well enough to know that no one could make him rescind an order. Destroying the decree in the palace was also out of the question.

At that moment, a round little head popped out from the snugly wrapped cloak.

It was too stifling.

Bao Shu couldn’t take it anymore.

Beyond that, whether it was due to the bumpy carriage ride or the abundant snacks the Crown Prince had offered her earlier, her little tummy was now very uncomfortable.

"Can’t... can’t hold it in..."

She looked around frantically. In her panic, she aimed at the paper in front of her, grabbed the decree with her chubby little hands, and with a resounding splat—threw up all over it.