After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 489 Princess Huai'an's Misunderstanding

Amber hesitated and said, "Princess, should I go and inquire? His Majesty is most averse to forming cliques and having private matters. We can't possibly have any connection with court officials, especially now that the young master is in charge of such an important post. The princes are all watching us!"

Mining coal is like mining gold; it's all about money, and every noble in the capital is envious.

Previously, those court officials looked down on the eldest princess and her son, but after the eldest son took on the job of mining coal, even the Grand Tutor wanted to marry his granddaughter to the young master.

Princess Huai'an raised her hand to stop her, "Wait, let me think. Although Marquis Yong'an is a court official, he has no real power now. He is just a nobleman in name only. But the Sixth Prince's concubine is nominally his adopted daughter. Could it be that he sent a thank-you gift to me through Xiji because I spoke up for the Sixth Prince's concubine?"

Amber suddenly realized, "Princess is so clever, she understands so quickly. That must be the reason. If that's the case, then it's simple. But... how should we reciprocate?"

Princess Huai'an shook her head. "Since Marquis Yong'an sent this gift to me under the guise of Xiji, it means he doesn't want any trouble. There's no need for a return gift. I'll just give him some small trinkets next time I see the Sixth Prince's concubine."

"It just so happens that A-Jue sent me quite a few bath soaps and skin creams, which I find excellent. I'm sure the Sixth Prince's concubine will like them too."

"Yes!"

Su Zhan, who was sending gifts everywhere, had no idea that Princess Huai'an had misunderstood. He was still casting his net far and wide, sending seafood to each household as if it were free.

After giving out the New Year's gifts, he felt a little more at ease.

On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, according to custom, the Empress Dowager and the Empress would go to Buddhist temples to make offerings on this day.

Su Zhan then thought of taking Shen Congrong and the other two with him to pray for peace.

The group braved the wind and snow to reach the outside of the Buddhist temple, only to find that the temple steps were heavily guarded by soldiers. The alms-giving area was at the foot of the mountain, and believers who came to worship could line up to enter the temple. One person entered and one person left, and the line had already stretched for a long distance.

Just as Su Zhan was at his wit's end, a servant came over, bowed, and said, "Lord Shen, Lord Su, Lord Xiong, Consort Shen requests your presence."

The four hurriedly followed the attendants and soon entered the temple, walking all the way to the high hillside pavilion in the backyard.

Shen Tian and several women were inside, tending a stove and drinking tea.

Shen Congrong and the other three quickly knelt down to pay their respects.

Shen Tian smiled and said, "Everyone, stand up and speak! Aunt, these are the three young talents from Zhaohua County who have entered the palace this year. This is Shen Congrong, the grandson of the Marquis of Yong'an. That one is Su Yongzhang, who is Shen Congrong's cousin. And this one is Xiong Feng, who is also from Zhaohua County."

"Truly, heroes emerge from among the young! It seems that Zhaohua County is a land of outstanding people and talents, producing not only a clever and intelligent person like you, but also so many talented scholars!" Princess Huai'an praised, then rolled her eyes and said, "Speaking of which, the seafood that has become popular in the capital in recent years also comes from Zhaohua County."

Just recently, my residence received a New Year's gift from Xiji, consisting of rare and exquisite seafood. To be honest, Your Excellency is being far too kind. I simply couldn't stand how the Second Prince's Consort openly bullied you, so I said a few words to the Empress Dowager, and Your Excellency has held a grudge ever since!

Shen Tian was completely confused. "Aunt, are you saying that Marquis Yong'an sent you a New Year's gift, or is it for me?"

Princess Huai'an nodded repeatedly, "Isn't that so?"

Shen Tian shook her head honestly, "Aunt, I did prepare a New Year's gift for you. I originally planned to send it to your residence in a couple of days. However, since there are no female relatives in the Yong'an Marquis's residence, and my godfather avoids suspicion by not associating with powerful figures in the capital, even if he were to send a thank-you gift, he wouldn't do so under the guise of a New Year's gift. That seafood was most likely not sent by my godfather."

"That's strange! My maid Amber investigated and found that the other party is from Xiji." Princess Huai'an said with an air of seriousness.

The invisible Su Zhan had no choice but to step forward and say, "Your Highness, it was this humble subject who sent the gift that year."

"You?" Princess Huai'an and Shen Tian were both stunned. Amber and the others were even more confused.

Su Zhan chuckled and said, "This is what happened. I am Cong Rong's uncle. My sister and brother-in-law are not here. I came to the capital and heard that Cong Rong almost got into trouble. I was worried that he didn't understand these social customs and might offend people in the future. So I took it upon myself to send a New Year's gift to everyone my sister and brother-in-law know."

Princess Huai'an became increasingly confused. "I don't know Lord Shen's parents. Are you mistaken?"

Su Zhan looked to Shen Congrong for help.

Helpless, Shen Congrong had no choice but to take out the token given to her by Murong Jue.

Princess Huai'an's eyes widened instantly. "Isn't this my son's jade pendant? How did it end up in your hands?"

Shen Congrong suddenly realized, "So the young master is the eldest princess's son! This jade pendant was given to me by the young master before I left. He said that if I encountered any trouble in the capital, I could use this jade pendant to find Her Highness the eldest princess."

That day, her uncle asked Congrong who she knew in the capital. Congrong told him everyone she could think of, including you. At the time, Congrong was unaware of her uncle's intentions, never imagining that it would cause trouble for Her Highness the Princess. She truly deserves to die.

Princess Huai'an examined the token carefully but said nothing. She then returned the jade pendant to Shen Congrong, saying, "Since it was given to you by A-Jue, keep it. If you encounter any trouble in the future, come to me as he instructed. I will help you if I can!"

Shen Congrong quickly knelt down to express her gratitude.

Princess Huai'an inquired curiously, "How did you and A-Jue meet?"

Shen Congrong was a little embarrassed and quickly clasped her hands in a fist and bowed to explain, "In fact, Congrong and the young master don't have much interaction. It's just that my family runs a shop called Qingfengzhai. The young master has some business dealings with my family. He even came to our house for New Year's Eve dinner and stayed for a few days."

"You said A-Jue is going to your house for the New Year?" Princess Huai'an looked shocked, as if she had heard something extraordinary.

Shen Congrong nodded honestly, "Not only that, Young Master and Uncle Xue also took my younger brother and sister away. Now my younger brother and sister have learned a lot of skills by following Young Master."

"How old are your younger brother and sister?" Princess Huai'an asked, raising an eyebrow.

Shen Tian quickly interjected, "Eight years old, twins, still very young!"

Shen Congrong nodded repeatedly.

The confusion in Princess Huai'an's eyes deepened.

Before she could press further, the young novice monk came over and invited her to leave, so she had to give up her intention to ask questions.

Su Zhan quickly led the three to the main hall to offer incense and pray for peace and blessings.

After finishing their work, the four of them went down the mountain as quickly as possible and left in a horse-drawn carriage.

Su Zhan breathed a sigh of relief only after the carriage had driven far away. "Oh my! I was almost scared to death! Luckily, the Princess didn't pursue the matter."

Shen Congrong quickly reassured him, "Uncle, you meant well. Besides, it's just seafood, it's nothing!"

Su Zhan waved his hand and sighed repeatedly, "Uncle is incompetent. He tried to help but only made things worse. From now on, I can only give you money. You'll have to rely on yourself for everything. Although you survived this ordeal, there's no guarantee it won't happen again. It would be best to have your grandfather find out who the culprit is."