After I traveled through the book, I was spoiled by five little villains

Concubine Jing was the representative of the nobles in the palace. Similarly, Qin Yaoguang's maternal family, the Cui family, was conferred the title of Duke of Ningguo because of the Empress Dowager and became a member of the nobles.

Although most of the time, the Cui family still stands on the side of a noble family, there is no problem in saying that they are one of the nobles.

In politics, besides identity and stance, there are also interests.

Concubine Jing was in the palace. Even though her parents' home was in the capital, she could not go back to her parents' home during festivals like other married daughters, talk to her mother, and care about the marriages of her younger brothers and sisters.

If she wanted to communicate with her natal family, Qin Yaoguang, who could enter and leave the palace freely, would be her best choice.

The premise is that Concubine Jing can really trust her.

Bi Tao bent her knees, presented a basket with both hands, and said, "Empress Jing heard that Duke Anguo had a cough and was very worried. The emperor gave the palace a special loquat paste, and I would like to trouble the princess to send someone to deliver it."

Qin Yaoguang's eyes flashed, and she ordered Bai Lu to check. Sure enough, there were two jars of loquat paste inside, served in a set of thin-bodied celadon. Even the spoon was a rose-shaped gilded spoon specially made in the palace.

This set of tableware is much more valuable than loquat paste.

Concubine Jing is indeed a smart person.

During their first contact, when she was not sure whether she was trustworthy, it was undoubtedly the most appropriate way to convey her enduring status of favor in the palace.

What "cough"? It's clearly an excuse.

Qin Yaoguang herself knew it, and Concubine Jing knew it, but only the emperor's letter expressed his true feelings, which was just right to be used as a raft.

Seeing Bai Lu taking it, Bi Tao took a small box from the hand of the little palace maid behind her and presented it to her, saying, "This is the sweet-scented osmanthus lip balm picked by the queen herself. I hope Her Royal Highness the Princess will accept it."

This is the thank you gift.

Qin Yaoguang took it personally and unscrewed the exquisite silver box lid. The golden lipstick had a delicate texture and a fragrant smell. It was obviously made when she was bored in the palace.

Sincere.

She smiled and accepted the lip balm, saying, "Thank you, Concubine Jing, for me."

We have reached an alliance which is not yet solid, but the harvest is good.

It doesn't matter, she will slowly deepen the bond.

After leaving the palace, Qin Yaoguang instructed Bai Lu to go directly to the Duke of Anguo's Mansion to deliver loquat paste and convey Concubine Jing's message, while she took Nanny Deng and others back to the princess's mansion.

The ancients had little entertainment after dark. They went to bed early and got up early. She was already sleepy by now.

After taking a nap, Bai Lu reported back: "Duke Anguo has received the things sent by Your Highness. Let me tell Your Highness that I will be very grateful if you can inform them in advance next time you go to the palace."

Qin Yaoguang nodded and said, "Yes, they are all smart people."

Chunfen came to report: "Your Highness, the aunt of the Duke of Ningguo's Mansion has arrived."

"Let her wait in the hall."

Qin Yaoguang gave an order, changed into her dress to meet guests, and said, "Call Ma Liujia over, and send her away when my aunt leaves."

We can no longer let her be in charge of Zhufeng Courtyard.

Wang was about forty years old, but she looked more than twenty years older than Qin Yaoguang, with a deep vertical wrinkle between her eyebrows. As the eldest daughter-in-law of the Ningguo Mansion and the mistress of the Cui family, she shouldn't be like this.

Maybe, because of the title of Duke Ningguo, her husband was not allowed to inherit the title for a long time?

Qin Yaoguang looked at her inconspicuously and asked directly, "Does my Zhufeng Court give 50 taels to Yichun every month? I forgot about it and only remembered it recently."

As she spoke, she looked at Yichun, who was standing behind Wang and serving her.

Yichun was startled and walked to the middle and knelt down, not daring to look up or say a word.

This matter was done under her name, but the money only passed through her hands and no trace was left.

With her intelligence, she knew something was wrong long ago, but her life was in someone else's hands, so she couldn't say no. She had been confused for several years, but she didn't expect the princess to suddenly ask about it today.

Yichun was nervous and broke out in cold sweat.

Wang sighed in her heart and said slowly, "Yes. Your Highness, you don't know that our family is in a very difficult situation."

"difficult?"

Qin Yaoguang was greatly surprised.

She had thought of many answers from Wang, but this one was the only one she hadn't thought of.

Not to mention the Ningguo Duke's status as a royal relative, even the Cui family, which has flourished for hundreds of years, has nothing to do with the word "difficult".

Wang calmed down and began to complain: "Since I was given the title of Duke of Ningguo, my father-in-law has set a family motto that we cannot engage in business as a relative and cause trouble for the Empress Dowager."

"I only found out about this after I got married. The income of the public school is supported by the farms in various places every year, but the expenses are not small. The family's charity school, the management of various places during the New Year and festivals, the constant birthday banquets, weddings and funerals in the capital, and the palace... everything requires gifts and everything costs money."

"When the Empress Dowager came back to visit her parents, she spent a huge amount of money to build such a large garden. It's just a beautiful appearance. It's really difficult for me to manage my family."

"Your Highness, you also know that the salaries of the masters alone can't even cover the expenses of the mansion for half a month."

Qin Yaoguang looked at her, trying to find any signs of lying on her face.

So, she aged so quickly because she was clumsy?

She didn't believe a word of it.

The Cui family has accumulated wealth for hundreds of years and brings in large sums of money every year.

How many years has it been since he was conferred the title of Duke of Ningguo?

Besides, is the Cui family really willing to give up those lucrative businesses and stop operating them?

Qin Yaoguang stared at her closely and said, "Aunt, although I am the eldest princess, I also have the blood of the Cui family flowing in my veins. If you have anything to say, you can just tell me directly. There is no need to hide it."

Wang's expression wavered for a moment, but she regained her composure in the blink of an eye and said, "Don't say that Your Highness doesn't believe it. If I hadn't experienced it, I wouldn't believe it either."

She refused to say another word, keeping her mouth shut as tightly as a clam shell.

It seems there is nothing more to ask.

Qin Yaoguang served tea and sent the guests away: "Alright, I understand your aunt's difficulties, but it is unreasonable for a married niece to send money to her uncle's family. If others find out, I'm afraid there will be more trouble."

Wang looked up suddenly.

She didn't expect that after this complaint, the eldest princess, who was the easiest to fool, remained unmoved.

"Your Highness, you are of noble status, who dares to speak against me?" She said in a loud voice, "If there are people who are blind, the Queen Mother is here!"

This is instigating her to break the rules and putting her on the spot!

Qin Yaoguang's face turned cold and he said, "Show me away!"

Seeing that the situation was beyond redemption, Wang had no choice but to leave with a sad face.

When they arrived at the corner gate of the Princess's residence, Chunfen had already been waiting there with Ma Liu's family. They greeted them and said, "Aunt, I am following His Highness's orders to send Ma Liu's family back to the Ningguo Mansion."

Looking at the seven or eight people with their heads down in front of her, Wang felt her head hurt even more and turned around to get on the carriage.

In the princess's mansion, Qin Yaoguang glanced at the clepsydra and said in a happy mood, "Let's go to Chuntang Garden."

The five princesses have all been punished, so how can Zhou Qinghe stay out of it?