A wicked mother swaps her son and sucks his blood? The true legitimate daughter is reborn and goes o

Inside the Brocade Pavilion.

Aunt Ling came specifically to deliver the gifts, and she also brought four palace maids with her.

Hongling was so amazed by the abundance of gifts in the room that she couldn't close her mouth.

"Second Miss, these..." She had never seen so many wonderful things before.

Song Qingning had never seen it either.

The Empress's reward was much greater than the reward she received for her military achievements when she returned to the capital.

She wore pearls and jade, adorned with red hairpins and ornaments, and dressed in fine brocade and Suzhou embroidery. She also carried a dagger.

The dagger was small and exquisite, yet sharp; Song Qingning knew at a glance that it was a weapon capable of cutting through iron like mud.

I examined it closely and couldn't put it down.

As she was admiring the dagger, someone burst out laughing.

Song Qingning looked over and saw that it was one of the palace maids.

Aunt Ling's face darkened as she scolded, "What are you laughing at? That's rude!"

The palace maid was young, with a touch of childishness in her eyes. Even when Aunt Ling scolded her, she was not afraid and still smiled and said, "This servant is happy that Her Majesty the Empress guessed correctly."

Song Qingning: "..."

Aunt Ling's expression softened.

Seeing Song Qingning's confusion, she quickly explained, "Her Majesty said that of all these rewards, the Second Miss's favorite should be this dagger."

Several palace maids stared at the dagger in Song Qingning's hand, their eyes full of mischief.

Song Qingning realized what was happening and smiled as she thanked him.

"Second Miss, the dagger is good, but the other items are also quite nice. Her Majesty had the embroiderers rush to make clothes a few days ago, all in your size. Why don't you choose one to wear?" Aunt Ling said with a smile.

He then gestured to several palace maids, "Bring up the four seasons for the Second Miss to choose from."

The four palace maids received the order.

Song Qingning could roughly guess the Empress's thoughts. In a month, she would be married into the Prince of Huai's mansion, and a woman awaiting marriage should act like one.

The clothes she usually wears are mostly masculine in design, for ease of movement.

But from now on, she will be the Princess Consort of Huai, and all her attire must conform to the regulations for a Princess Consort of Huai, befitting the dignity of a princess consort.

But when the four palace maids unfolded all those clothes, Song Qingning was taken aback.

Unlike the elaborate garments of the past, the cuts were simple and clean. The palace embroiderers were so skilled that even with simple designs, the clothes were stunningly beautiful.

"Her Majesty said that after the Second Miss gets married, she will be free to do whatever she wants," Aunt Ling said.

Song Qingning felt a slight tremor in her heart.

She recalled her past life when she married into the Jiang family. Her mother-in-law and sister-in-law set rules for her every day, so that she would know that a woman should prioritize her husband's family and regard her husband as her heaven.

Under heaven, there is no freedom to speak of.

A slight soreness welled up in Song Qingning's nose. "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty the Empress."

She was genuinely grateful for Empress Meng's care.

She then chose a dress, and the four palace maids helped her with her hair and makeup and dressed her.

When Aunt Ling left, she said that the four palace maids were also bestowed upon her by the Empress, and that she would no longer obey the Empress's orders, but would be completely at her beck and call.

The image of Empress Meng appeared in Song Qingning's mind, and a warm feeling filled her heart.

In the old Marquis's courtyard, the steward learned that the commotion early in the morning was due to the Empress bestowing a gift upon Song Qingning.

Lord Song was taken aback at first, then his eyes lit up. "Has Song Qingning done something meritorious again?"

This speculation startled Lord Song, who then considered countless possibilities in his mind.

"Did she save the Empress from an assassination attempt? Or did she accomplish something great for the Empress? This Song Qingning, she truly benefits from the entire Marquis's fortune; all the good things happen to her!"

Lord Song was tired of thinking about the word "envy".

He wished he were the one who would inherit the Marquis's fortune!

A woman will eventually get married!

Suddenly, Old Marquis Song seemed to remember something, and his expression changed drastically. "She wants a reward again? With such a good opportunity, why doesn't she ask for a title for me?"

"Song Qingning is too short-sighted; women just lack perspective!"

"I am her grandfather, and she doesn't even know how to respect her elders!"

Old Marquis Song looked grim and paced back and forth.

Suddenly looking up at the steward, she said, "Tell me, if I were to swallow my pride and beg her to return those rewards, and then ask Her Majesty the Empress to grant me some kind of dukedom..."

The steward's lips twitched slightly as he watched the light appear in the old marquis's eyes.

The old Marquis is truly... insane!

He thought that rewards could be returned at will, and favors could be exchanged at will.

That's outrageous and shameless!

"How is it?" Old Marquis Song asked him with a hopeful expression.

The steward felt that money was hard to earn and his job was hard to do.

"Old, old Marquis..." The steward was at a loss, not knowing how to deal with the situation, when the gatekeeper rushed over.

As she ran, she shouted, "Someone from the palace has arrived! It's a high-ranking official from the Emperor's side; they've come to deliver an imperial edict!"

"An imperial edict?!"

Old Marquis Song slapped his thigh in surprise, "Oh my, an imperial edict has come! So besides the rewards, there's also an imperial edict! Qingning must have done something meritorious to secure this reward for my grandfather!"

"Good, good, you truly are my good granddaughter. You know how to be filial, respect your elders, and know who treats you well!"

"Quickly, quickly bring out my most magnificent and solemn attire! We cannot disobey the imperial decree!"

Lord Song was in charge of making arrangements.

Seeing his eager and expectant face, the butler didn't want to dampen his enthusiasm.

Even if there were any favors, how could they possibly fall on the old Marquis?

He truly had no idea how he treated the second young lady!

The butler shook his head, letting him take care of the arrangements.

Lord Song changed into his finest clothes and went to the main hall.

Marquis Yongning, Lady Lu, Song Shiyin, and Song Changsheng had already arrived.

Yesterday, Lady Liu attended the welcoming banquet for the envoy from Nanlin in a high-profile manner, but she was carried back, reportedly because her entire back was badly injured.

She remained unconscious, and no one knew why she had been beaten.

She cannot come today because she received the imperial decree.

Besides her, only Song Qingning was absent.

"Greetings, Your Excellency. It is truly inappropriate to keep you waiting. Your Excellency, why not announce the decree now?" Old Marquis Song was getting impatient.

I don't know what kind of title he was given.

Eunuch Gao glanced at him, "Miss Song has not arrived yet, please wait a little longer."

"It's alright if a junior doesn't wait," said Old Marquis Song with a smile.

"Not waiting?" Eunuch Gao frowned. How could the imperial decree of marriage not wait for the person to be married?

Just then, Eunuch Gao looked up and saw the figure outside the hall. "Second Miss Song has arrived!"

Upon their arrival, the imperial decree was proclaimed.

Song Qingning entered the hall and bowed to Eunuch Gao.

Then everyone in the Marquis's residence knelt down to receive the imperial decree.

"By the mandate of Heaven..."

The eunuch read the imperial edict aloud, praising Song Qingning for her chastity, virtue, and gentleness, as well as her intelligence and wisdom, her heroic bearing, and her bravery and resourcefulness.

A long string of effusive praises were directed at Song Qingning.

Even Song Qingning was surprised that Emperor Yuan, who was reluctant to grant the marriage, was so generous with his words.

Lord Song frowned upon hearing this.

It was a title bestowed upon him, so why praise Song Qingning?

Until the imperial edict said:

"Song Qingning is hereby granted the title of Princess Consort to the Prince of Huai, and a date shall be chosen for their marriage."

"..."

Old Marquis Song's head went blank for a moment, and his expression changed drastically.

The Prince of Huai bestowed upon Song Qingning the title of his principal wife.

Wasn't this imperial edict a bestowal of titles upon him?

What?! It's an imperial edict bestowing a marriage upon Song Qingning?!

This is unfair!