The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1558 - 1555: Saving Face

If this were modern times, any father naming his son ’Egg’ would be told to get lost by the mother!

But this is the oppressive feudal imperial society. The name carries significant meaning and is a great character; others might even be envious.

The scene is simply unimaginable— a bunch of noble, imposing princes actually jealous of a prince named ’Egg’.

What is wrong with this world?

No, she can’t keep thinking like this.

Wang Yongzhu still retained some reason. After her initial shock, she lowered her head, fearing that others might see her twisted expression.

She couldn’t help it and silently laughed for a while.

As she kept her head down, Bai Su, who was attending, only saw Wang Yongzhu’s shoulders shaking a few times and quickly asked, "What’s wrong, Wife of the Heir-Apparent?"

Wang Yongzhu coughed, not daring to raise her head, and replied in a muffled voice, "It’s nothing, I’m just happy for the Ninth Prince and the Madame, happy—"

Bai Su, upon hearing this, also teared up. After all, it was the New Year’s feast; tears were not allowed in the palace as it was a time for joy.

So, she cheerfully said, "The Wife of the Heir-Apparent’s feelings for the Madame and the young prince would certainly make them happy."

However, Lady Gao turned to glance at Wang Yongzhu after hearing this.

Just then, Wang Yongzhu raised her head, her eyes indeed watery and slightly red, appearing quite like she was crying tears of joy.

So Lady Gao just nodded at Wang Yongzhu and turned back around.

The rest followed the routine of the past year, with songs and dances flourishing, everyone giving toasts to the Emperor, and blessings were poured out by the basketful.

Everyone had smiles on their faces.

After three rounds of drinks, it was about time.

The Empress Dowager, being old, couldn’t handle the fuss both yesterday and today, so seeing it was almost done, she directly left.

After a while, the Emperor also stood up. Everyone stood up and respectfully saw the Emperor off before dispersing and going home.

Bai Su naturally escorted Wang Yongzhu to the palace gate. Her carriage, prepared by the palace, upon inspection, had several boxes stacked inside.

Bai Su whispered, "These are all prepared by our Madame for the Wife of the Heir-Apparent, all from the Madame’s kind consideration."

Wang Yongzhu knew this was the Imperial Noble Consort’s hard-earned payment for her.

So she simply smiled, "Please trouble Sister Bai Su to thank the Madame for me."

Bai Su gave Wang Yongzhu a courtesy: "The maidservant bids farewell to the Wife of the Heir-Apparent. On the day of the little prince’s wash-three ceremony, please come to the palace early. The Madame, the little prince, and the maids are all looking forward to your visit!"

Wang Yongzhu nodded to show she understood.

By the time she reached the Duke’s Mansion, it was already late afternoon. The carriage stopped at the gate where Song Xiaoyin and the others were waiting and rushed forward when they saw Wang Yongzhu alight from the carriage.

Yesterday, Wang Yongzhu had gone to the palace and had not yet returned, leaving them anxious all night. If anything happened to the Madam, how could they face Song Chongjin?

As they stepped forward, they had not yet spoken when Wang Yongzhu signaled them to unload the boxes from the carriage.

Several large redwood chests were unloaded, and hearing Song Hong had returned to the mansion, several concubines and other masters from the Duke’s Mansion gathered at the door to welcome them.

Witnessing this scene, others might remain indifferent, but Little Lady Hou’s eyes were red with envy.

Enraged that morning by Wang Yongzhu, she had failed to enter the palace and was already furious.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu return in high spirits, especially in a carriage evidently from the palace,

Not to mention those large boxes filled with treasures, judging by the gilded and jade-inlaid boxes, the contents must be extraordinary.

Why should Wang Yongzhu be able to enter the palace and receive so many rewards?

Even Song Hong, upon seeing this, had a glint of satisfaction. Regardless, his daughter-in-law had made a name for herself.

Today’s affairs showed that the Ninth Prince indeed valued his mother’s status. Recently born, he was publicly named at the New Year’s feast by His Majesty in the face of all civil and military officials, as well as the clansmen and royals.

This kind of honor was unique among the princes.

If the Imperial Noble Consort could maintain this favor, it seemed her ascension to Empress was imminent.

With his daughter-in-law’s connection to the Imperial Noble Consort, in the future...

Thinking of this, Song Hong looked at Wang Yongzhu with more admiration, having to admit, this girl truly possessed good fortune.

Thus wanting to honor Wang Yongzhu, in front of everyone in the mansion, he rarely spoke warmly and amicably, "Eldest brother’s wife, you’ve worked hard these past two days in the palace. Rest for a while. Madam, please take care of the preparations for the evening banquet, and let eldest brother’s wife rest well!"

Lady Gao gave a soft nod to Song Hong, obediently saying, "What you say, my lord makes sense."

Turning around, she looked at Wang Yongzhu kindly, "Yongzhu, go ahead and rest. You surely didn’t sleep well in the palace; now that you’re home, you can relax and rest. When the evening begins, I’ll send someone to call for you!"

Wang Yongzhu knew Song Hong was a person who prioritized benefits above all else and was long accustomed to it.

So, she simply bowed, expressed thanks, and returned to her quarters.

Song Xiaoyin and the others, carrying the boxes, followed her into the courtyard.

After placing them properly, they prepared to leave.

But Wang Yongzhu called them, "Don’t leave just yet. Today is the first day of the New Year. You’ve been working hard during this period." Saying this, she instructed a maid to enter the room, retrieve the prepared sachet from under the dressing table.

"For those who returned with me from Chicheng City, each of you will receive one, as a good sign for the year."

Song Xiaoyin and the others knew these were New Year’s money from Wang Yongzhu. Just seeing the sachets, which were of the finest quality, regardless of their contents, the sachets alone were worth one or two taels of silver.

So they happily accepted them, bowed to Wang Yongzhu, and exited.

The other servants in the courtyard, witnessing this, were filled with envy.

Everyone knew that the Wife of the Heir-Apparent was generous, and during this festive season, the Duke and Madam used baskets to distribute silver among the mansion.

Only those with a prominent role or who accompanied the masters to the banquet had the chance to receive it.

In their courtyard, with the Wife of the Heir-Apparent visiting the palace, others remained to guard the courtyard and didn’t dare venture to the front, thus missing out entirely.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu’s generosity towards those from Chicheng City, and knowing the sachets were of substantial worth, they all looked hopefully at Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yongzhu didn’t care about the money. After all, it’s the New Year; there was no point in being stingy and breeding resentment in the servants.

One should know that these people might not achieve much, but they could certainly cause a lot of trouble.

So, she said, "You’ve all worked hard this past month. Everyone will receive an additional month’s salary."

The servants, overjoyed by this news, immediately knelt and thanked her profusely before leaving.

Returning to her room, Wang Yongzhu leaned against the couch, instructing the maids to open the boxes and check out the gifts from the Imperial Noble Consort.

As the boxes were opened, the room was filled with a dazzling array of jewels, so bright it made one’s eyes dizzy.

The maids, though accustomed to grandeur, were stunned by the opulence.

One box was filled with high-grade palace fabrics, including tribute materials, such as Bi Shui Satin and Xia Ying Gauze.

Another box contained precious medicinal materials, while blood-swallow, centennial ginseng, and the like were not unusual.

Another box was filled with jewelry, including gold, jade, gemstones, pearls, and agates, all meticulously arranged.

Even Wang Yongzhu was overwhelmed by the lavishness of the Imperial Noble Consort’s gifts.

Did the Imperial Noble Consort just give her the whole treasury?