Chapter 287: Chapter 287: Will This Coffin Just Be Left to Gather Dust?
The sky is clear and bright without any wind, making the sunlight warm upon the skin.
Ladies are not allowed in the hunting grounds, yet the Empress Dowager, taking a rare interest, organized a game of thrown utensil competition. She is seated in a high position, with Empress Zou on one side, and Princess You Ning on the other.
Young women throw the utensils, laughter fills the air.
Shen Hua took a distant glance.
There’s a scent of fragrance, and looking around, everyone is dressed in splendid attire. However, many faces also seem familiar.
The Empress Dowager, after watching the fun for a while, beckoned the Duchess Chengbo to come closer.
"How have you been feeling these days? After You Ning returned to the Chengbo Marquis Mansion, has she given you, her mother-in-law, any trouble?"
The Duchess Chengbo bit her tongue so hard that it bled, but she greeted with a smile.
"What are you saying, Your Majesty? My previous illness was merely due to household chores and catching a cold wind."
The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction, patted Princess You Ning’s hand, and added, "You Ning grew up under my knees, she is my heart and soul. I inevitably spoil her, which has led her to act out somewhat. You must bear with her more."
Acting out?
Stealing a lover so boldly in her own house and it is merely described as acting out?
The Duchess Chengbo was angry but dared not speak.
"You Ning,"
the Empress Dowager said earnestly, "You have been married into the Chengbo Marquis Mansion for several years, why is there still no movement in your belly?"
Reluctance flashed in Princess You Ning’s eyes.
"I have already taken a concubine for my husband, and she was diagnosed with a pregnancy not long ago, I will raise the child under my knees—"
She hadn’t finished speaking when the Empress Dowager interrupted unexpectedly.
"It’s not that you cannot conceive. This is simply nonsense."
Which household allows a concubine to usurp the place before the legitimate wife has borne children?
"Listen to what you are saying! You should be over this kind of play; you cannot forget your duty just because your mother-in-law loves you. It is important to spread branches and sustain the family incense for the Chengbo Marquis Mansion."
Princess You Ning felt nauseous.
Heir Cheng Chengbo, having neglected his appearance over the years and grown significantly plumper, she found him simply intolerable to look at, even less comparable to the men in her memories.
Such a man, unworthy of sharing her bed.
Bear his children?
That would be a dream.
However, in front of the Empress Dowager, she always appeared very obedient.
"Yes."
She felt nauseous, and so did the Duchess Chengbo.
Such an unchaste daughter-in-law, yet she could not be divorced. How could one expect her to spread branches?
She would rather be without a direct grandson!
Who knows if he would really be of their Chengbo Marquis Mansion’s blood.
The Empress Dowager spoke a lot more before finally retiring to her tent to rest. Princess You Ning escorted her back before returning, her gaze then falling on Cui Rong not far away, she twisted her brow in disgust.
Qiao Si?
To this day, Princess You Ning doesn’t know where she fell short compared to Qiao Si, making Cui Bai never spare her an extra glance.
One could say Princess You Ning is passionate, nearing promiscuity. One could say she is sentimental; that man has been dead for six years, and she still remembers him.
Duchess Chengbo saw everything and scorned silently in her heart.
She approached with a loving expression but whispered in a low voice, "The little princess from the Cui family is quite pretty. When her parents had their wedding banquet, I attended as well; it was Eldest Young Master Cui who carried her across the fire basin, truly a heartwarming scene."
"Scram!"
Princess You Ning’s expression darkened. She brushed past the Duchess Chengbo with a look of disdain.
Shen Hua lazily withdrew her gaze from Princess You Ning.
"Cui Rong!" A little girl called out in a milky voice.
Shen Hua looked up to see her dressed in a light purple brocade skirt, running over.
Not long ago, Cui Rong was clinging to Shen Hua’s arm, half-squinting, but now suddenly she sat up straight. She scrunched up her face: "Why are you here?"
"I came to show you my new jewelry."
The little girl proudly held out her wrist, showcasing a jade bracelet of excellent quality.
"This is the birthday gift my Mama gave me, she personally purchased the seed material, hired Mr. Zhongshan to design it, and then had a master craftsman with over thirty years of experience custom-make it."
Her gaze landed on Cui Rong’s bare wrist.
"Why didn’t your Mama buy one for you?"
The little girl’s appearance was delicate and pretty, dressed exquisitely with rouge and lipstick applied, and her body covered in fragrant powder. Her hairdo, meticulously done, lacked a touch of childlike innocence.
Shen Hua rested her chin in her hand.
Looking at Cui Rong, it seemed she must be the little girl from Nantai’s Mansion.
At that age, she herself had only been scented; Shen Yangyang with her rosy lips and pearly teeth, needed no extra embellishment, only really encountered rouge and makeup after the age of ten.
By contrast, Cui Rong only had the plump charm of a cute child.
Her face had only the ointment that Shen Hua had applied. Nothing else, clean and tenderly white.
Cui Rong’s tone was fierce: "None of your business!"
Yet Shen Hua asked sincerely, "Who is Mr. Zhongshan?"
Cui Rong was stumped: "I don’t know."
Shen Hua: "It seems he’s not very famous."
Xie Yinong gently reminded, "Mr. Zhongshan is the most renowned drawing master in Shengjing, specialized in designing jewelry and utensils, served in the Imperial Palace sketching for nobles for many years, and was only released from the palace in his old age."
"Many people seek him in admiration, hoping for elaborate designs, often to no avail."
Shen Hua understood.
She graciously beckoned to Nanzhi.
"Child, stretch closer, let me have a look too."
Nanzhi was rather proud.
Seeing that Shen Hua was quite attractive, she generously let her have a look.
"Mr. Zhongshan is truly revered; my Mama visited him daily for a full month before he finally agreed to a commission."
The bracelet under the bright light appeared milky white and translucent, with complex patterns and beautiful carvings. Truly imaginative.
Cui Rong, seeing Shen Hua examining it closely, became annoyed, lowering her voice: "What’s the matter with you? Didn’t you see we don’t get along?"
Shen Hua pursed her lips in concern: "If only I had known about such a person earlier, I would have gone to meet him sooner."
"If he could sketch with the same master who crafted the coffins for the late Emperor for me, my coffin would definitely be more striking."
"With a bit of striving, perhaps by next spring, it could be completed."
Thinking of this, Shen Hua became anxious again.
If she indeed did not die, wouldn’t this coffin just end up gathering dust?
No need for it!
Annoying!
Xie Yinong: ...
Cui Rong: ...
She thought of Shen Hua’s coffin made of Emperor Wood, inner coffin of rosewood, the coffin lid of white jade. Its carvings depicting Shengjing Street on the outside and stars and seas inside, all of which suddenly made Nanzhi’s bracelet seem rather insignificant.
"What was there to show off about? Was it even worth coming here specifically to brag about it?"
Nanzhi was taken aback.
Soon, she giggled: "I was talking nicely to you, why are you annoyed again?"
"Let me guess, is it because you jump around like a monkey all day, afraid of knocking it, that you dared not wear it?"
She was somewhat proud: "Your jewelry does seem to be indeed less. It looks rather poor."
Cui Rong rolled up her sleeves, ready to fight. Shen Hua grabbed her by the collar.
Cui Rong: "Ah, don’t stop—"
Feeling the weight on her wrist, Shen Hua hung the Blood Jade on Cui Rong’s wrist.
Cui Rong dared not move: "This looks very expensive."
"It could buy a mansion."
"If I... if I break it, will I have to compensate?"
"It’s for you to play with, throw it around."