High-class Spring Joy

The Emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom's words fell silent, and it could be said that a single sentence influenced the thoughts and opinions of everyone present.

The words spoken by the Emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom were light and casual to her and to the young prince of the Northern Frontier Kingdom, but to the others, they were far from light and casual. They were extremely influential words that easily changed the plans and ideas in the minds of almost everyone, especially the Emperor of Pinecone in front of him, the Crown Prince who was looking at the Third Prince with worry, and the Third Prince himself.

These words were of paramount importance to Qinghe.

Qinghe seemed to have come back to life. She tried to control her breathing and calm herself down. She took a deep breath, but she couldn't control the sound of her breathing; it just kept getting louder.

Qinghe was like someone who had survived a catastrophe. The words spoken by the emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom could be considered a pardon and a great reward for Mongolia. However, after the joy of surviving a catastrophe, Qinghe felt more bewildered and fearful.

People like Qinghe have their fate and future largely in the hands of others. When Qinghe was a maid in the Zhenguo Marquis's mansion, there were many people who could control her future and destiny, including the old lady of the Marquis's mansion, the third and fifth young masters of the Marquis's mansion, and even masters, young ladies, and young masters with some status.

Afterwards, through her own efforts, she overcame numerous difficulties and hardships, and finally managed to carve out a sliver of hope for herself. She was no longer a maidservant with a life as fragile as paper, but became an ordinary citizen, a commoner in Bianjing City.

In reality, people like ordinary citizens have absolutely no connection to high social standing; they could be considered to have no social standing at all. But for many, what they are born with is a middle ground that they have worked hard for many years and taken many risks to obtain.

Qinghe naturally knew that just because she stopped being a maid didn't mean she wouldn't be bullied. There were too many injustices and too many treacherous people in this world. Good and bad coexisted, black and white existed, and most likely, people couldn't distinguish between good and bad, or black and white, because black and white were never opposites. It was also rare to see purely good or purely bad people. This was the complexity of the world.

I know that if I want to live a better life in Bianjing as an ordinary citizen, I must have something to rely on. Otherwise, if I am just an ordinary citizen, someone like Apple could easily target and make things difficult for me if they were determined to do so. After all, this world is all about background and power.

Qinghe was well aware of this, which is why she realized at Xiangguo Temple that it was the best opportunity she could possibly have in a short period of time.

Not only could they come into contact with so many noble ladies and wives, but more importantly, they could directly meet Princess Jing'an and the Empress Dowager.

Perhaps Princess Jing'an still had some concerns and difficulties at times, leaving her with no choice. If she completely became Qinghe's support, then Qinghe's target would become the Empress Dowager.

After Qinghe gambled her own life, and even the lives of herself and her child, to obtain that get-out-of-jail-free card, it was the first time Qinghe realized that her life would never again be as fragile as paper.

No matter how thin it is, it should at least have two layers of paper.

This feeling was strongest when Qinghe first auctioned off her embroidery at Hongxiuzhao.

If Princess Jing'an hadn't arrived from the palace in time, those noble ladies might have had countless ways to make things difficult for her, and could have found many reasons to do so. Even though Hu Shisi Niang was from Hongxiuzhao and the proprietress was willing to help Qinghe, there were so many young ladies and noblewomen that Hu Shisi Niang had no way to directly cause any trouble with them.

Qinghe understood this, and had known about it for a while.

Even now, Qinghe still feels as if she is walking on clouds, each step unsteady, as if she cannot touch the ground, and all around her is filled with an illusory touch. Qinghe feels that her life seems to be getting thicker and thicker, so it seems that in front of people with real power and status, she is still very thin and fragile. But no matter what, it should be at least as thick as three or four layers of paper, right?

But this allowed others to hold her fate in their hands, to decide her destiny with a single word from someone else, whether it be good or bad, or even her future. Qinghe felt a bit disgusted and annoyed, but there was nothing she could do to change it for the time being.

This aversion, this irritation, this dislike was not directed at the emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom, but at himself, because of his own fate.

Qinghe quickly regained her composure, smiled, and bowed to the Emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom. Kneeling on the ground, she extended both hands to receive the jade pendant from the Emperor's hands: "This humble woman, Qinghe, is utterly unworthy to receive such an honor. It is truly a blessing from Heaven. Thank you, Your Majesty of the Northern Frontier Kingdom, thank you to both Your Majesties! Long live Your Majesty!"

As she said this, Qinghe was very sincere. She accepted the jade pendant from the Emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom. The jade pendant was not very heavy. For Qinghe, who had been serving people in the Marquis's mansion for many years, it was not a heavy object. In fact, it was a little light.

But when Qinghe held the jade pendant, she felt as if she were holding a mountain, a mountain that could change her future.

But I really don't like the feeling of having my fate in someone else's hands. Qinghe thinks there are probably very few people in this world who would like that feeling.

It's only natural to dislike something. But how to change this situation is what Qinghe should be thinking about most right now. And the emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom's casual words just now are very likely her best opportunity, the best chance for her to turn the tide.

Now, she not only has the Empress Dowager in her possession, but also this jade pendant given to her by the Emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom. If word gets out, even if it's just for the sake of the reputation of the Northern Qin Kingdom, and it's just for show, if something really happens to her, the Emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom will not be able to ignore it.

Even if we take a step back and say that she is the sister of the emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom and the aunt of the young prince of the Northern Frontier Kingdom, just the reputation alone would be enough to intimidate countless people.

Qinghe clutched the jade pendant tightly to her heart, holding it like a drowning person who had been adrift in a raging river for a long time, finally finding a piece of driftwood that truly belonged to her, holding it tightly, not daring to loosen her grip even a little, for fear that this was just a dream she was having.

At this moment, Fei Sheng reached out and helped Qing He up, saying, "Aunt, please don't bow. You are Fei Sheng's aunt now, so it should be Fei Sheng bowing to your aunt. How can an aunt bow to a junior?"

After saying that, Fei Sheng cupped his hands and bowed to Qing He in a very formal manner.

The etiquette itself is not very complicated or solemn, but it is different when it comes from the young prince of the Northern Frontier Kingdom. It proves that the Northern Frontier Kingdom has openly and honestly recognized the adopted sister that the emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom has taken in.

The attitude of the young prince of the Northern Frontier Kingdom greatly reflects the attitude of the Northern Frontier Kingdom's emperor towards his newly adopted sister.

Whether it was merely a superficial act to repay a debt of gratitude, or a genuine desire to recognize Qinghe as his sworn sister, the answer to this question lies in the action of the young prince of the Northern Frontier Kingdom just now.

At this moment, the Emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom also reached out and helped Qinghe, who was still kneeling on the ground, to her feet: "Royal sister, please rise. Fei Sheng is right. There is no reason for an aunt to bow to a junior. She should bow to you. You are now her aunt. My royal sister."

After saying this, the Emperor of Northern Frontier took Qinghe's hand and looked at Emperor Songguo beside him: "I trouble you all to witness today my recognition of Qinghe as my sworn sister. From now on, Qinghe is the eldest princess of Northern Frontier, Princess Mingrong. Since Mingrong likes Bianjing City, I will not force her to return to Northern Frontier. If Mingrong wants to return to Bianjing City, then she can. But please remember, Lingrong will always be my imperial sister, the only eldest princess of the entire Northern Frontier. Mingrong will always have Northern Frontier as her support. If anyone bullies Minglou in the future, I trouble Your Majesty of Song Kingdom to look after my sister."

If the attitude of the Northern Frontier Emperor's words just now was still debatable, then what he just said was a clear statement of his stance.

The emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom has acknowledged Qinghe as his younger sister, and the young prince of the Northern Frontier Kingdom has also acknowledged her. That means the entire Northern Frontier Kingdom and the royal family have acknowledged her. Moreover, the emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom used the term "only eldest princess."

The title "the only princess" may sound light and airy, but anyone with a modicum of sense can grasp its weight.

Before everyone's eyes, a girl who originally had no background, no support, and no connections had suddenly transformed into the eldest princess of the Northern Frontier Kingdom.

The most crucial point is that Qinghe's identity as the eldest princess of the Northern Frontier Kingdom isn't just recognized by the emperor. Even more importantly, it's recognized by the young prince of the Northern Frontier Kingdom. Who is this young prince? He's the most favored member of the Northern Frontier royal family, showered with love and affection. If he grows up safely and without incident, he will undoubtedly become the next emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom. In other words, Qinghe's identity as the "Passion Fruit Princess" has been recognized by both the current and future emperors of the Northern Frontier Kingdom.

There is no more compelling endorsement in the world than this.

Her status as the eldest princess of the Northern Frontier Kingdom is a foregone conclusion.

In a flash, Qinghe's status surpassed that of the vast majority of the ministers present. They had transformed from commoners who had to bow and greet them into people whom they had to bow and greet.

What a huge reversal, what a leap! There are very few people in this world who can achieve a three-level leap in status through their own abilities and opportunities. Every one of them has their own glorious story. But like Qinghe, who not only achieved a three-level leap in status in a short period of time, but also jumped to the very top, there are very few people in this world.

How could the minds of all the ministers present, including the Chinese emperor, not have changed? It was a complete upheaval from their previous thoughts.

The Emperor of Song Kingdom would naturally not contradict the Emperor of Beijiang Kingdom in front of everyone, especially since, to be honest, Qinghe had also done a good job for Songguo.

The Chinese emperor waved his hand, a broad smile spreading across his face: "Congratulations to His Majesty of the Northern Frontier Kingdom! You've found your long-lost sister in China! Life is unpredictable, it's all fate. Your Majesty's words have reminded me that without this little girl, the peace talks between our two countries might have turned out very differently. It's not just the Northern Frontier Kingdom that should be rewarded, but also Pine Cone. Since His Majesty has already given this little girl an identity, a birth, and a status, then I will bestow some other things upon her. Although they cannot compare to the status and position bestowed by His Majesty, they are still what this little girl truly desires, a mere icing on the cake."

After speaking, the Emperor of Song Kingdom turned his gaze to one of the ministers: "By imperial decree, Princess Mingrong of the Northern Frontier Kingdom, for her great service to both the Northern Frontier Kingdom and Song Kingdom, is hereby granted the title of Princess Hening, and awarded one hundred acres of fertile land, ten thousand taels of gold, five mansions, and a fief of three hundred bushels of grain. I wonder if you, my little girl, are satisfied?"

As the Chinese emperor spoke, a cryptic smile flickered in his eyes, while his face wore a kind and benevolent expression.

Qinghe answered incredibly quickly, as if afraid that the two emperors in front of her were treating her like a toy and that she might take back her words at any moment. The speed at which she kowtowed and thanked them was unprecedented in her life.

At this moment, the Emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom also spoke up with a smile: "You silly girl, I didn't see you thanking me for my decree so quickly. Are you dissatisfied with my decree, or do you feel that what His Majesty the Emperor of Song Kingdom bestowed is more to your liking?"

Qinghe dared not, and quickly explained, using all her flattery skills at this moment.

When the emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom issued the decree, Qinghe had just recovered from the lingering fear of surviving the ordeal, so her bowing speed and reaction speed were not very fast.

Fortunately, the Emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom spoke with a smile, a relaxed smile, so there was no other hidden meaning in his words. Well, at least Qinghe didn't glean any hidden meaning from his words, nor did she feel any tension or fear.

Fei Sheng, smiling, explained, "Aunt, do you know that in our Northern Frontier Kingdom, all princesses have their own princess residences, as well as dozens of other residences, fertile fields, estates, and other properties. Their fiefs alone amount to 500 shi (a unit of grain measure), and your fief as a senior princess is 800 shi. That means that your current fief, plus the bestowal by His Majesty the Emperor of Song, already amounts to 1,100 shi. Such a fief in the Northern Frontier Kingdom is equivalent to that of any official of the third rank or above. Therefore, Aunt, you don't need to worry about these material possessions anymore."

At this moment, Fei Sheng deliberately used the words of the Northern Frontier Emperor to explain to Qing He.

Qinghe thanked the emperor with incredible speed.

After hearing the emperors' bestowals, the ministers had different thoughts and ideas, and looked at each other in bewilderment. Their hearts were clearly divided.

In short, no one was smiling; the vast majority remained silent, not daring to speak rashly in such a situation.

The only ones with smiles on their faces were His Highness the Crown Prince and Chu Jingxian beside him.

His Highness the Crown Prince actually knew why his father, the Emperor, would bestow such a reward.

Regardless of why the emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom wanted to bestow the title of Qinghe, whether it was for the purpose of being a sworn sister or something else, Chinese emperors would probably bestow such a title upon Qinghe.

Firstly, assuming the Emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom harbors some ulterior motives towards Qinghe and wishes to reclaim her from the Northern Frontier Kingdom, then the Emperor of the Song Kingdom bestowing upon Qinghe such a title would make her a member of the Song Kingdom's royal family. Marrying into the Northern Frontier Kingdom as a princess of the Song Kingdom's royal family would thus solidify the alliance between the two countries.

Secondly, the emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom said that he would bestow the title of sworn sister upon Qinghe. Therefore, it can be seen from the attitude of both the Northern Frontier Kingdom and the young prince of the Northern Frontier Kingdom that this honor is not a mere formality.

Since that's the case, the Song Kingdom Emperor might as well take this opportunity to reward Qinghe as well, which would also show the Northern Frontier Emperor how much they value him.

Moreover, Qinghe has indeed made a great contribution this time, so it is inevitable that she will be rewarded in front of everyone.

Only now can we say that it has reached its highest level of completion.

Putting aside all the power and influence, the Crown Prince's smile at this moment was more of a teasing gesture towards Qinghe beside him. She leaned closer and lowered her voice, "Third brother, I told you not to make a move sooner. Now that you see Qinghe's status, third brother, you seem a bit unworthy of her."

Chu Jingxian waved her sleeve, and Chen Sha, who was beside her, immediately understood her meaning, pretending that the things the young master had just said had never been said.

Chu Jingxian picked up the tweezers next to him and began to peel the walnuts one by one.

Seeing Chu Jingxian's reaction, His Highness the Crown Prince became quite interested: "Third Brother, don't you want to say anything? Perhaps you can speak frankly with Miss Qinghe later?"

"There's nothing to say, she deserves all of this," Chu Jingxian said. At first glance, Chu Jingxian's expression didn't seem to change much, but upon closer inspection, one could see that the muscles in Chu Jingxian's face were much more relaxed.

"If I had to say, I would like to ask Your Highness to find me a dish of Chu Jingxian, as she loves to eat Chu Jingxian."

It was Chu Jingxian who came up with this idea. Once, when she was injured, Qinghe went to visit her. At that time, there was a fruit plate on the table, and when Qinghe left, only Chu Jingxian's fruit plate was empty.

His Highness the Crown Prince remained silent for a moment, utterly speechless. The bestowal of honors by the two emperors was a tremendous boon for Qinghe, but it wasn't entirely without its merits.

Power is a double-edged sword. There is nothing in this world that is absolutely good or absolutely bad. Most things are a mix of good and bad. If you are lucky, you will have more benefits and fewer drawbacks. But nothing is only absolutely beneficial.

How could Third Brother not know such a simple and obvious truth?

His Highness the Crown Prince watched Chu Jingxian peel the fruit one by one, slowly but patiently, and then looked at Qinghe on the high platform and sighed: "At this critical juncture, I really don't know whether it's a good thing or a bad thing to give her such an honor."

Qinghe now holds two titles: Princess Mingrong of the Northern Frontier Kingdom and Princess Hening of the Song Kingdom. Either one of these titles is something many noble ladies would dream of. Let alone the combination of them.

Just take the fief of 1,100 shi as an example. Even in the current Chinese court, only high-ranking officials of the third rank or above can obtain such a fief.

Qinghe thus became a link between the Northern Frontier Fruit and the Pine Cone. With the support and reliance of the Northern Frontier Kingdom, it was likely that no one in Bianjing City would dare to bully her easily anymore.

But sometimes, if the pork belly is too fatty, it will attract a lot of bedbugs and flies.

Many people seeking personal gain want to get close to her.

Let's not talk about the distant future, let's just talk about the present...

The Crown Prince's gaze fell on the princes standing not far away beside the Emperor of Song. It seemed that her marriage would no longer be up to her.

"Third Brother, perhaps you should talk to her clearly. You know better than I how special her status has become in an instant. Even if you don't want to pressure her, once we return to Bianjing, there will be plenty of people who want to pressure her. While there's still time, Third Brother, let her make her own decision. If it's too late, it might be difficult for her to make a decision on her own."

His Highness the Crown Prince sighed as he spoke.

As His Highness the Crown Prince spoke, Chu Jingxian paused in his hand as he cracked open a walnut.

How could Chu Jingxian not know all of this? How could he not understand it?

Chu Jingxian had already understood what was going on when the emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom said those two things.

Perhaps that silly girl is still immersed in the joy of the moment. It is indeed something to be happy about, so let her be happy for a few more days.

She felt a pang of pity. Countless times she wondered what Qinghe's smile would look like now. It would surely be several times more radiant than any she had ever seen before.

But does that smiling girl know what awaits her in the future?

Does she know?

She probably didn't know, otherwise she wouldn't be laughing so happily.

Even if that girl finds out, so what? Nothing has ever been able to defeat her.

But in Chu Jingxian's heart, he selfishly wanted to be the tree above this little seedling, sheltering it from the wind and rain.

Power is indeed a good thing, but sometimes, those in high positions of power cannot necessarily do whatever they want and have complete freedom.

On the contrary, it is more likely that the higher the status and the greater the power, the more powerless people are in the face of their own circumstances.

For example, when the young prince of the Northern Frontier Kingdom was in trouble and the peace talks between the Northern Frontier Kingdom and the Song Kingdom were at a standstill, if the emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom had really insisted on making the crown prince pay with his life, the emperor of the Song Kingdom, as the ruler of a country, would naturally not be able to break ties with the emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom and openly start a war with the Northern Frontier Kingdom for the sake of the country, the people, and the overall situation.

But how could a Chinese emperor, as a father, bear to see his son die before his eyes?

When faced with a dilemma, those in high positions of power often find themselves unable to choose to follow their own desires.